1   They were still addressing the people when the chief ^note priests came upon them, together with the Controller of the Temple and the Sadducees, 2   exasperated at their teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead—the resurrection of Jesus. 3   They were arrested and put in prison for the night, as it was already evening. 4   But many of those who had heard the message became believers. The number of men now reached about five thousand.

5   Next day the Jewish rulers, elders, and doctors of the law met in Jerusalem. 6   There were present Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, ^note Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7   They brought the apostles before the court and began the examination. ‘By what power’, they asked, ‘or by what name have such men as you done this?’ 8   Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered, 9   ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if the question put to us today is about help given to a sick man, and we are asked by what means he was cured, 10   here is the answer, for all of you and for all the people of Israel: it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; it is by his name ^note that this man stands here before you fit and well. 11   This Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders which has become the keystone —and you are the builders. 12   There is no salvation in anyone else

The beginnings of the church at all, ^note for there is no other name under heaven granted to men, by which we may receive salvation.’.

13   Now as they observed the boldness of Peter and John, and noted that they were untrained laymen, they began to wonder, then recognized them as former companions of Jesus. 14   And when they saw the man who had been cured standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15   So they ordered them to leave the court, and then discussed the matter among themselves. 16   ‘What are we to do with these men?’ they said; ‘for it is a common knowledge in Jerusalem that a notable miracle has come about through them; and we cannot deny it. 17   But to stop this from spreading further among the people, we had better caution them never again to speak to anyone in this name.’ 18   They then called them in and ordered them to refrain from all public speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.

19   But Peter and John said to them in reply: ‘Is it right in God's eyes for us to obey you rather than God? 20   Judge for yourselves. We cannot possibly give up speaking of things we have seen and heard.’

21   The court repeated the caution and discharged them. They could not see how they were to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God for what had happened. 22   The man upon whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old.

23   As soon as they were discharged they went back to their friends and told them everything that the chief priests and elders had said. 24   When they heard it, they raised their voices as one man and called upon God:

‘Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and sea and of everything in them, 25   who by the Holy Spirit, ^note through the mouth of David thy servant, didst say,

“Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples lay their plots in vain?
26   The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers made common cause
against the Lord and against his Messiah.”

27   They did indeed make common cause in this very city against thy holy servant Jesus whom thou didst anoint as Messiah. Herod and 28   Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel to do all the things which, under thy hand and by thy decree, were

The beginnings of the church foreordained. 29   And now, O Lord, mark their threats, and enable thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness. 30   Stretch out thy hand to heal and cause signs and wonders to be done through the name of thy holy servant Jesus.’.

31   When they had ended their prayer, the building where they were assembled rocked, and all were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

32   The whole body of believers was united in heart and soul. Not a man of them claimed any of his possessions as his own, but everything was held in common, 33   while the apostles bore witness with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. They were all held in high esteem; 34   for they had never a needy person among them, because all who had property in land or houses sold it, brought the proceeds of the sale, and laid the money at the feet of the apostles; 35    it was then distributed to any who stood in need.

36   For instance, Joseph, surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Exhortation’), 37   a Levite, by birth a Cypriot, owned an estate, which he sold; he brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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