Book of Common Prayer

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.'

⁴³ The next day Jesus said, `I will go to Galilee.' He found Philip and said to him, `Come with me.'

⁴⁴ Philip was from the town of Bethsaida. Andrew and Peter were also from that town.

⁴⁵ Philip went to find Nathanael. He said `We have found the man about whom Moses wrote in the books of the law. The prophets also wrote about him. He is Jesus, from Nazareth. He is the son of Joseph.'

⁴⁶ Nathanael said, `From Nazareth? Can any good thing come from there?' Philip said, `Come and see for yourself.'

⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him. He said, `Here is a man who is truly of Israel. He does not fool people.'

⁴⁸ Nathanael asked, `How do you know me?' Jesus answered, `I saw you when you were under the fig tree. That was before Philip called you.'

⁴⁹ Nathanael said, `Teacher, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.'

⁵⁰ Jesus answered, `I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. Is that why you believe in me now? You will see more wonderful things than that!

⁵¹ I tell you the truth,' said Jesus. `You will see heaven open. You will see God's angels going up and down to the Son of Man.'