New Testament in a Year

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ After they were released, Peter and John^[a] went to their fellow believers^[b] and told them everything the high priests and the elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard this, they all raised their voices to God and said, “Master, you made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ You said by the Holy Spirit through the voice of our ancestor, your servant David,

²⁷ For in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate actually met together with unbelievers^[f] and the people of Israel to oppose your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, ²⁸ to carry out everything that your hand and will had predetermined to take place. ²⁹ Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow your servants to speak your word boldly ³⁰ as you stretch out your hand to heal and to perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ When they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak messages from^[g] God boldly.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² Now all the believers were one in heart and soul, and nobody called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything they owned. ³³ With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was on them all, ³⁴ since none of them needed anything, because everyone who had land or houses would sell them and bring the money received for the things sold ³⁵ and lay it at the apostles’ feet. Then it was distributed to anyone who needed it. ³⁶ One man,^[h] Joseph, a descendant of Levi and a native of Cyprus, who was named Barnabas by the apostles (the name^[i] means “a son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.