Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

1And while they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the sadducees came upon them, 2being vexed that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them into custody till the next day: for it was now evening. 4But many of them who heard the word, believed: and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5And on the morrow their rulers, and elders, and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem: 6and with them Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked them, By what power, or in what name have ye done this? 8Then Peter filled with the holy Spirit said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, 9and elders of Israel, if we are this day examined about the benefit done to the impotent man, 10by what means he is cured, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, but whom God hath raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone that was set at nought by you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12And there is salvation in no other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we can be saved.

The Name Forbidden

13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were plain and illiterate men, they were amazed; and they knew them again that they had been with Jesus: 14but seeing the man that was cured standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. 15Therefore they ordered them to withdraw from the council, 16and conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do with these men? for that indeed an evident miracle hath been wrought by them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But that it may spread no farther among the people, let us severely charge them to speak no more to any man in this name. 18So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, judge ye: 20for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So they threatened them more severely, and let them go; not finding how to punish them, because of the people: for they all glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miraculous cure was wrought.

The Believers’ Prayer

23Being dismissed they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24And when they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, who hast made heaven and earth, and sea, and all things therein:

25who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.

27For of a truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel, combined against thy holy child Jesus, 28(whom Thou hast anointed,) to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had before determined to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and give unto thy servants to speak thy word with all freedom, while Thou art stretching forth thy hand to heal, 30and while signs and wonders are done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with freedom.

Sharing among Believers
(Acts 2:42–47)

32And the heart and soul of the multitude that believed was one: no one called any of his possessions his own property, but they had all things common. 33And with great power did the apostles give their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any indigent person among them; for as many as were proprietors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the prices of what were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles feet; and distribution was made to every one according to their necessity.

36So Joses who was by the apostles sirnamed Barnabas, which is a son of consolation, 37a Levite, by birth a Cyprian, having an estate, sold it and brought the money, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.