Acts 4
Worldwide English (New Testament)
4 Peter and John were talking to the people. The priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them.
2 They were angry at Peter and John because they taught the people. They were angry because they told them that Jesus was brought back from death.
3 They caught them and put them in prison until the next day, because it was already evening.
4 But many of the people who heard them speak the word of God, believed what they said. The number of men who believed was about five thousand.
5 The next day their rulers, leaders, and scribes met in Jerusalem.
6 Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all of the high priest's family were there also.
7 Peter and John were brought before them. They asked the apostles, `By what power or in what name have you done this?'
8-9 hen Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, `Rulers of the people and leaders of Israel, have you brought us to court today because of the good thing that was done to the lame man? Do you want to find out how he was healed?
10 Well, let it be known by all the people of Israel. This man standing before you is healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He has done this. You nailed him to a cross, but God raised him from death.
11 Jesus Christ is the stone which you, the builders, would not use. But he is now the chief corner stone.
12 No one else can save us. Of all the people in the world, God chose him to save us. It is by him we must be saved.'
13 They saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak out. They knew that they were like any other men. They did not have much training. So the people were very much surprised. They knew that Peter and John had been with Jesus.
14 They saw the man who had been healed standing beside them. So they could say nothing against them.
15 They told Peter and John to leave the court. Then they talked the matter over among themselves.
16 They said, `What shall we do to these men? All the people who live in Jerusalem know about this big work they have done. And we cannot say they did not do it.
17 But we do not want any more people to hear about it. So let us say to these men, "Take care! Never speak to anyone in this name again." '
18 They called them in and said, `Never speak or teach in this name again.'
19 But Peter and John answered them, `How does God look at it? Is it right for us to obey you or to obey him? You judge that for yourselves.
20 As for us, we must tell the things we have seen and heard.'
21 So the high priest and those with him told them again. Then they let them go. They could not punish them because of the people. They all praised God for what had been done.
22 The man who had been healed was more than forty years old.
23 When they were free, Peter and John went back to their own friends. They told them all that the chief priests and leaders had said to them.
24 When they heard it, they talked to God together. They said, `Lord, you are God. You made the sky, and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them.
25 Our father David was your servant. Through him you said by the Holy Spirit, "Why are the people who are not Jews so angry? And why do the people plan things for nothing?
26 The kings of the earth joined their forces. And the rulers met together against the Lord and his Christ."
27 `It is true that Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with Jews and those who were not Jews here in this city. They met to make secret plans against your holy Son Jesus, whom you made Christ.
28 But they only did what you had already planned should be done.
29-30 ord, hear their words. Listen to the wrong things they say against us. We are your servants. Help us to speak your word without fear. And heal the sick by your own power. Let signs and wonderful things be done in the name of your holy Son Jesus.'
31 When they had talked to God, the room they were in shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they spoke the word of God without fear.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. Not one of them said, `This is mine.' But everything they had was for the use of all.
33 With much power the apostles told how the Lord Jesus was raised from death. And God blessed them all very much.
34-35 one of them was in need of anything. Those who owned fields and houses sold them. They brought the money to the apostles. Then the apostles gave each one what he needed.
36 There was a man named Joseph, a Levite. He was born in the country of Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas. That means "one who helps."
37 He had a field and sold it. He brought the money to the apostles and gave it to them.
Acts 4
International Children’s Bible
Peter and John at the Council
4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, a group of men came up to them. There were Jewish priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees. 2 They were upset because the two apostles were teaching the people. Peter and John were preaching that people will rise from death through the power of Jesus. 3 The Jewish leaders grabbed Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day. 4 But many of those who heard Peter and John preach believed the things they said. There were now about 5,000 men in the group of believers.
5 The next day the Jewish rulers, the Jewish elders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there. Everyone from the high priest’s family was there. 7 They made Peter and John stand before them. The Jewish leaders asked them: “By what power or authority did you do this?”
8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, “Rulers of the people and you elders, 9 are you questioning us about a good thing that was done to a crippled man? Are you asking us who made him well? 10 We want all of you and all the Jewish people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth! You nailed him to a cross, but God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well and able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! 11 Jesus is
‘the stone[a] that you builders did not want.
It has become the cornerstone.’ Psalm 118:22
12 Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.”
13 The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak. They understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. 14 They saw the crippled man standing there beside the two apostles. They saw that the man was healed. So they could say nothing against them. 15 The Jewish leaders told them to leave the meeting. Then the leaders talked to each other about what they should do. 16 They said, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows that they have done a great miracle! We cannot say it is not true. 17 But we must warn them not to talk to people anymore using that name. Then this thing will not spread among the people.”
18 So they called Peter and John in again. They told them not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? 20 We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21-22 The Jewish leaders could not find a way to punish them because all the people were praising God for what had been done. (This miracle was a proof from God. The man who was healed was more than 40 years old!) So the Jewish leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free.
The Believers’ Prayer
23 Peter and John left the meeting of Jewish leaders and went to their own group. They told them everything that the leading priests and the Jewish elders had said to them. 24 When the believers heard this, they prayed to God with one purpose. They prayed, “Lord, you are the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in the world. 25 Our father David was your servant. With the help of the Holy Spirit he said:
‘Why are the nations so angry?
Why are the people making useless plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepare to fight.
Their leaders make plans together
against the Lord
and against his Christ.’ Psalm 2:1-2
27 These things really happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, the non-Jewish people, and the Jewish people all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. Jesus is your holy Servant. He is the One you made to be the Christ. 28 These people made your plan happen; it happened because of your power and your will. 29 And now, Lord, listen to what they are saying. They are trying to make us afraid! Lord, we are your servants. Help us to speak your word without fear. 30 Help us to be brave by showing us your power; make sick people well, give proofs, and make miracles happen by the power of Jesus, your holy servant.”
31 After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke God’s word without fear.
The Believers Share
32 The group of believers were joined in their hearts, and they had the same spirit. No person in the group said that the things he had were his own. Instead, they shared everything. 33 With great power the apostles were telling people that the Lord Jesus was truly raised from death. And God blessed all the believers very much. 34 They all received the things they needed. Everyone that owned fields or houses sold them. They brought the money 35 and gave it to the apostles. Then each person was given the things he needed.
36 One of the believers was named Joseph. The apostles called him Barnabas. (This name means “one who encourages.”) He was a Levite, born in Cyprus. 37 Joseph owned a field. He sold it, brought the money, and gave it to the apostles.
Footnotes
- 4:11 stone A symbol meaning Jesus.
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