John baptized with water. But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Here is a list of those who were there. Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James

That time began when John was baptizing. It ended when Jesus was taken up from us. The one we choose must join us in telling people that Jesus rose from the dead.”

Peter Heals a Beggar Who Can’t Walk

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was three o’clock in the afternoon. It was the time for prayer.

He saw that Peter and John were about to enter. So he asked them for money.

Peter looked straight at him, and so did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

He jumped to his feet and began to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple courtyards. He walked and jumped and praised God.

Peter Speaks to the People at the Temple

The man was holding on to Peter and John. All the people were amazed. They came running to them at the place called Solomon’s Porch.

Peter and John Are Taken to the Sanhedrin

Peter and John were speaking to the people. The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to the apostles.

So the temple authorities arrested Peter and John. It was already evening, so they put them in prison until the next day.

Annas, the high priest, was there. So were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other people in the high priest’s family.

They had Peter and John brought to them. They wanted to question them. “By what power did you do this?” they asked. “And through whose name?”

The leaders saw how bold Peter and John were. They also realized that Peter and John were ordinary men with no training. This surprised the leaders. They realized that these men had been with Jesus.

They ordered Peter and John to leave the Sanhedrin. Then they talked things over.

Once again the leaders called in Peter and John. They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in Jesus’ name.

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right from God’s point of view? Should we listen to you? Or should we listen to God? You be the judges!

The leaders warned them again. Then they let them go. They couldn’t decide how to punish Peter and John. They knew that all the people were praising God for what had happened.

The Believers Pray

Peter and John were allowed to leave. They went back to their own people. They reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

The apostles in Jerusalem heard that people in Samaria had accepted God’s word. So they sent Peter and John to Samaria.

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them. And they received the Holy Spirit.

Simon watched as the apostles placed their hands on them. He saw that the Spirit was given to them. So he offered money to Peter and John.

Peter and John continued to preach the word of the Lord and tell people about Jesus. Then they returned to Jerusalem. On the way they preached the good news in many villages in Samaria.

You know what has happened all through the area of Judea. It started in Galilee after John preached about baptism.

Then I remembered the Lord’s words. ‘John baptized with water,’ he had said. ‘But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

He had James killed with a sword. James was John’s brother.