Peter Speaks to the People

Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles. He spoke loudly so that all the people could hear. He said, “My Jewish brothers and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me. I will tell you something you need to know. Listen carefully.

When the people heard this, they felt very, very sorry. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

The Believers Share

The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together.

Many wonders and miraculous signs were happening through the apostles, and everyone felt great respect for God.

The Apostles and the Jewish High Council

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, some Jewish leaders came up to them. There were some priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees.

They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death.

But many of the people who heard the apostles believed what they said. There were now about 5000 men in the group of believers.

They saw the crippled man standing there beside the apostles. They saw that he was healed, so they could say nothing against the apostles.

So the Jewish leaders called Peter and John in again. They told the apostles not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus.

The Jewish leaders could not find a way to punish the apostles, because all the people were praising God for what had been done. This miracle was a sign 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.

With great power the apostles were making it known to everyone that the Lord Jesus was raised from death. And God blessed all the believers very much.

and gave it to the apostles. Then everyone was given whatever they needed.

One of the believers was named Joseph. The apostles called him Barnabas, a name that means “one who encourages others.” He was a Levite born in Cyprus.

Joseph sold a field he owned. He brought the money and gave it to the apostles.

but he gave only part of the money to the apostles. He secretly kept some of the money for himself. His wife knew this, and she agreed with it.

Proofs From God

The apostles were given the power to do many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. They were together in Solomon’s Porch, and they all had the same purpose.

None of the other people dared to stand with the apostles, but everyone was saying wonderful things about them.

The Apostles Are Arrested

The high priest and all his friends, a group called the Sadducees, became very jealous.

They grabbed the apostles and put them in jail.

But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail. The angel led the apostles outside and said,

When the apostles heard this, they did what they were told. They went into the Temple area about sunrise and began to teach the people. The high priest and his friends came together and called a meeting of the high council and all the older Jewish leaders. They sent some men to the jail to bring the apostles to them.

When the men went to the jail, they could not find the apostles there. So they went back and told the Jewish leaders about this.

The captain and his men went out and brought the apostles back. But the soldiers did not use force, because they were afraid of the people. They were afraid the people would stone them to death.

The soldiers brought the apostles in and made them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them.

Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God, not you!