Ananias and Sapphira

1Now there was a certain man named Ananias who with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought the rest which he laid at the apostles feet. 3upon which Peter said, Ananias, how could satan inspire thine heart to lye to the holy ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God. 5at these words Ananias fell down dead upon the spot: which struck the minds of all that heard of it with great dread. 6and some young men came and wound him up, then carried him out, and buried him.

7about the space of three hours after, his wife, not knowing what had happen'd, came in. 8when Peter addressing himself to her, tell me, said he, have you sold the land for such a price? yes, said she, for so much. 9then Peter said to her, how comes it that you have conspir'd together, to tempt the spirit of the Lord? see there at the door the men that are come from burying thy husband, and they shall carry thee out likewise. 10in the instant she fell down dead at his feet: and the young men came in, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her by her husband. 11which affected the whole assembly, and all that heard of it with great dread.

The Apostles Heal Many

12Thus were many signs and wonders wrought among the people, by the apostles, who us'd to meet in Solomon's porch with great unanimity: 13but the people who reverenc'd them, 14did not venture to approach near them, the number of those who believed in the Lord, both men and women, increas'd more and more. 15insomuch that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least, the shadow of Peter might cover some of them, as he pass'd by. 16multitudes came likewise from the neighbouring cities to Jerusalem, bringing their sick, and those who were tormented with impure spirits: who were all cured.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17Then the high priest, and all that accompanied him, who were of the sect of the Sadducees, being filled with indignation, 18went and seized on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19but an angel of the Lord opened the prison-doors by night, and having brought them out, said to them, 20go, stand in the temple, and declare to the people, the whole doctrine of life. 21when they heard that, they entred into the temple early in the morning, and taught, in the mean time, the high priest, and those of his party, being arrived at the council-chamber, summon'd all the Jewish senate to meet, and sent to the prison to bring the apostles before them. 22but the officers who went there not finding them in the prison, returned, and made this report, 23the prison we found shut very secure, and the keepers posted before the doors: but when we had opened it, we found no body within.

The Apostles before the Sanhedrin

24Upon hearing this, the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests wonder'd bow this could be. 25when somebody came and told them, the men whom ye order'd to prison, are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26upon which the captain went with his officers, and brought them, without offering any violence, for fear of being stoned, he and his men by the people.

27when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28saying, did not we strictly command you, not to teach in this name? and yet you have spread your doctrine through Jerusalem, and you endeavour to make us responsible for this man's blood. 29then Peter and the other apostles made answer, we ought to obey God rather than men. 30the God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree. 31him hath God rais'd by his power to be the author of salvation, by giving repentance to Israel, and the remission of their sins. 32and we are his witnesses in what we say, and so is the holy spirit, whom God hath given to those that obey him.

Gamaliel’s Advice

33When they heard that, they were so enraged, they consulted to take away their lives. 34when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time. 35and then he said, "ye men of Israel, be cautious how you proceed with regard to these men. 36for some time ago one Theudas started up, pretending to be something extraordinary, who was join'd indeed by about four hundred men: but he was no sooner put to death, than his followers all dispers'd, and were reduc'd to nothing. 37after this man, Judas of Galilee appear'd, at the time of the registry, and seduc'd many people: he also perished, and all his followers were dispersed. 38my opinion therefore is, not to meddle with these men, but to let them go on: for if the design be a human project, it will fall of it self, but if it be from God, 39you cannot defeat it; perhaps you may be found warring against heaven." To him they agreed: and

40after the apostles were called in, and scourged, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then releas'd them, out they went from the council, 41full of joy, that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. 42and every day either in the temple or in private houses they continued to preach and proclaim Jesus to be the Christ.