‏ Acts 5

1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and with his wife’s full knowledge he kept back some of the money for himself, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6The young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price." And she said, "Yes, that was the price." 9Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test 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." 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things.

12Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Porch. 13None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. 14And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, so that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

17But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and they were filled with jealousy. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and brought them out, and said, 20"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." 21And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported back, 23"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 captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed about them, wondering what would come of this. 25And someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."

26Then the captain went along with the officers and brought them back without violence, for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned. 27When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us." 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." 33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while. 35And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." 40So they took his advice, and they called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.