Acts 5
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2and kept part of the price for himself (his wife also knew about it), and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3But Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let the Adversary fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep part of the price of the land for yourself?
4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your authority? Why have you contrived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to man, but to God.”
5Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed out his last breath. And great fear came on all who heard about it.
6And the young men got up and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.
7Now it was about an interval of three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8But Peter responded to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?” And she said, “Yes, for that amount.”
9But Peter said to her, “Why have you both agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10She fell down immediately at his feet, and breathed out her last breath, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
11And great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.
12But by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13But no one else dared to join them, nevertheless, the people magnified them.
14Now more believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes of them, both men and women,
15so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on mats and beds, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
16And the multitudes from the cities around Jerusalem also came together, bringing people who were sick and those who were afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
17But the high priest got up, and all those who were with him (the local sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,
18and grabbed the apostles and put them in the public jail.
19But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said,
20“Go, and stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this new life.”
21And when they heard this, they went into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But when the high priest arrived, and those who were with him, they called together the Sanhedrin and the whole body of elders of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison to have the apostles brought before them.
22But the temple police that went there did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,
23saying, “We found the prison securely locked, and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24Now when the commander of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed concerning them and what might become of this.
25Then someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”
26Then the temple commander went with the temple police and brought the apostles before them, but did so without violence because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27And when they had brought the apostles, they made them stand before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them,
28saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? But Look! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
29But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than man.
30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31He is the one whom God exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the holy spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”
33But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were intending to put them to death.
34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in the Sanhedrin, a doctor of the law held in honor by all the People, and he commanded to put the men outside a little while.
35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you are about to do with these men.
36For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about 400, joined him. He was killed, and all who were persuaded by him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37After him, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all who were persuaded by him were scattered.
38And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will be overthrown,
39but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. Perhaps you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
40So they were persuaded by him, and after calling in the apostles, they flogged them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go.
41So they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name.
42And every day, in the temple and at home, they did not cease to teach and to proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ.