Acts 5
1 But a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
2 With his wife's knowledge, he kept back part of the price. He brought some of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, so that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back part of the price of the field?
4 If it had remained unsold, wouldn’t it have remained yours? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? Why did you decide to do this? You have not lied to human beings, but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came over everyone who heard about it.
6 The young men got up, wrapped him, carried him out, and buried him.
7 About three hours later, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened.
8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, was this the price you and your husband got for the field?” She answered, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out too.”
10 At once she fell at his feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church and everyone who heard about these things.
12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people through the hands of the apostles, and they all met together in Solomon’s Colonnade.
13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people held them in high regard.
14 More and more people believed in the Lord and joined them—great numbers of men and women.
15 As a result, people carried the sick out to the streets and laid them on beds and mats, so that as Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
16 Crowds also came from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and they were all healed.
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, rose up, filled with jealousy.
18 They seized the apostles and put them in the public jail.
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, led them out, and said,
20 “Go, stand in the temple, and tell the people all the words of this Life.”
21 When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin and the whole council of the elders of Israel, and sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail.
22 But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison. They returned and reported,
23 “We found the prison securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors. But when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24 When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what would come of it.
25 Then someone came and reported to them, “Look, the men you put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people.”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them.
27 After bringing them in, they presented them before the Sanhedrin. The high priest questioned them,
28 “We strictly ordered you not to teach in this name. And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to make us answer for this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than human beings.
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31 God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill them.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law in the eyes of all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while.
35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men.
36 For some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing.
37 After him, during the days of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and drew people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
38 So now I tell you: Keep away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this work comes from human beings, it will be brought to nothing.
39 But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them, and you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.
40 They called the apostles in, had them flogged, ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
41 Then they left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.
42 Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news about Jesus the Christ.
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