- 32And the multitude of them who believed were of one heart and of one soul, neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any among them who lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold 35and laid them down at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas — which is (being interpreted) the son of consolation — a Levite and of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- 5But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession 2and kept back part of the price — his wife also being privy to it — and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the holy ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own power? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost; and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6And the young men arose, wound him up and carried him out, and buried him.
- 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to test the spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them who have buried your husband are at the door and shall carry you out. 10Then she fell down immediately at his feet and yielded up the ghost, and the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her forth buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
- 12And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13And of the rulers dared no man join himself to them, but the people magnified them. 14And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks and them who were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed, every one.
- 17Then the high priest rose up, and all they who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and were filled with indignation, 18and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19But the angel of the Lord, by night, opened the prison doors and brought them forth, and said, 20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called together the council and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, 23saying, The prison we truly found shut with all safety, and the keepers standing outside before the doors; but when we had opened, we found no man within.
- 24Now when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they were perplexed of them — what this would grow unto. 25Then one came and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people. 26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence — for they feared the people (lest they should have been stoned).
- 27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28saying, Did we not officially command you that you should not teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then 29Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The 30God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hung on a tree. Him 31has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of 32sins. And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the holy ghost, which God has given to them who obey him.
- 33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. 34Then there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel — a doctor of the law, respected among all the people — and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space, 35and said unto them, You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men; 36for before these days rose up Theudas — boasting himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves — who was slain. And all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to naught. 37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say unto you, refrain from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will come to naught; 39but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it. Be careful therefore, lest you be found even to fight against God. 40And to him they agreed.
- And when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42And daily, in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3