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4: 5-31 On the next day the rulers and elders and scribes in Jerusalem assembled. Amongst them were Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and as many as were high priests. Having stood them (Peter, John and the cured man) in their midst they inquired. "By what power or in whose name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them: "Rulers of the people and elders. If we today are to be examined on a good deed done to an infirm man, by what power has this man been healed? Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead; it is in this name that this man stands before you whole. This is the stone despised by you the builders and it has become the head corner stone. . c/f Lk 20:17 And we cannot be saved by any other name under heaven which has been given to men." And seeing the boldness of Peter and of John and perceiving that they were unlettered men and laymen, they (the assembly) marvelled. They recongised that (Peter and John) had been with Jesus. They saw the man who had been healed standing with them. They had nothing to say against them. So having ordered them to go outside the council they discussed (this) with one another saying "What can we do to these men? It is indeed a remarkable sign that has
happened through them. It is obvious to all those who live in Jerusalem. We cannot deny it. But in case it is talked about (even) more amongst the people let us threaten them not to speak about this name to any one else. And so calling them (back into the assembly) they ordered them not to speak of nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answering said to them. "Should we listen to God or to you? You decide. We cannot fail to speak about what we saw and heard." And so they (the assembly) added more threats and released them. They could not find any way to punish them because of the people and because everyone was praising God about what had happened. The man on whom this sign of a cure had happened of cure was more than forty years old. And so on being released they (Peter and John) went back to their own people and reported what things the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And having heard this they (their own people) lifted up their voice with one mind to God. They said "Master you who have made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in it. You are our Father. Through the Holy Spirit and by the mouth of your servant David you said "Why do the nations rage and people devise vain things? The kings of the earth and its rulers assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ. For in truth in this (very) city there was an assembly
(pitted) against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed. Both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the nations (Gentiles) and the peoples of Israel did the things that you fore ordained to happen. And now Lord look at their threats. Give your slaves
boldness to speak out your word. Stretch out your hand to cure and allow signs and wonders to happen through the name of your servant Jesus." And, as they were making the request, the place in which they were assembled was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
4:32-37 Now the multitude of those who believed with one heart and soul did not have any possessions of his (or her) own but held all things in common. With great power they
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witnessed to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was upon all of them.
Nor were there any needy ones amongst them. For those who owned lands or houses were selling them and bringing the
money of everything sold and putting it at the putting it at the feet of the apostles. So it was distributed to each according to anyone who was in need. (For example) Joseph who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (translated Son of Consolation) was a Levite and Cypriot by race, had a field. He sold it and brought the proceeds and placed it at the feet of the apostles.
5:1-11 There was a certain man named Ananias with a wife named Sapphira. He sold a property and he and his wife took the money from it. They brought a certain part of it and placed it at the feet of the apostles. Peter said "Ananias why has Satan filled your heart that you should (try to) deceive the Holy Spirit and appropriate (something) from the price of the land? Did it not belong to yourself and was it not sold with your own authority? Why was the (idea ) of this action put into your heart? You did not lie to people but to God." And hearing these words Ananias fell down dead. Then a great fear came on all those who heard it. Rising up the young men wrapped
him (Ananias) up and carried him out to bury him. And about three hours later his wife, not knowing what had happened came in. Peter said to her "Tell me did you sell the land for such and such?" She said "Yes for so much." Peter said to her "Why was it agreed with you to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Look the feet of those who have just buried your husband are (now) at the door and they will carry out you (as well)." She fell at once at his feet and expired. Entering in, the young men found her dead. Carrying her out they buried her beside her husband. And so a great fear came on all the church and on those who heard about these things.
5:12-16 Through the hands of the apostles there were many signs and wonders (worked) amongst the people. All would be gathered with one mind in the porch of Solomon. None of the rest (of the temple officials?) dared to be joined to them. But the people held them in high regard. More and more believers in the Lord were added in multitudes - both of men and of women.
People would even bring out their ailing (friends & relatives) to place on pallets and mattresses so that as Peter (came by), even his shadow might fall on some of them. The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, carrying ailing ones and those being tormented by unclean spirits. All were healed.
5:17-6:7 The high priest and all those with him, the existing sect of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them into public custody. But an angel of the Lord, during the night opened the doors of the prison and lead them out. (The angel said). "Go and stand up in the temple and tell the people everything about this (way of) life. And having heard they went at about dawn into the temple and taught. Having come (to the assembly area) the high priest and those with him called together the council and the whole senate of the sons of Israel. They sent to the jail to have them (the apostles) brought to them. But the attendants did not find them in the prison. Having returned (to the high priest etc) they reported saying "We found the jail shut and all the security there with the guards standing by the doors. But on opening it we found there was nobody inside." As they heard these words, both the commandant of the temple
and the chief priests doubted (the
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attendants) and wondered what was to happen. Then someone came and reported to them "Look the men that you put into the prison are in the temple standing there and teaching the people." Then going (there) the commandant and his attendants brought them back, but not with force, for they feared that the people may stone them. After they were brought in the apostles stood before the council. The high priest questioned them saying "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name (of Jesus). And look you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to place the blame of the blood of this man upon us." Answering (them) Peter and the apostles said "Should we not obey God rather than men? The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. God has exalted this man as a Ruler and a Saviour. He has put him at his right hand to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of their sins. We are witnesses of these things and of God giving the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. When they (those at the council) heard this they were enraged and intended to kill them. But standing up in the council, a Pharisee whose name was Gamaliel and who was a teacher of the law and honoured by all the people ordered that the men be put outside for a time. He then said to (the council). "Fellow Israelites. Be careful what you do to these men. Recall that before this time there was Theudas who was claiming to be somebody and to whom about four hundred men were attached. He was killed and all those who obeyed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this there was Judas the Galilean in the days of the enrolment. He drew people away after him. But that man perished and as many as obeyed him were scattered. And now I say to you stand aside from these men and leave them alone. If this counsel or work is of men
it will be destroyed. But if it is of God you will not be able to destroy them and you will be found to be fighting against God." They did what he said. Having re-called the apostles and beating them they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they released them. (The apostles) went out from the presence of the council. They were celebrating because they were deemed worthy to be dishonoured on behalf of the name. And every day in the temple and from house to house they did not cease from teaching and preaching the Christ Jesus c/f Lk 19:47.
6:1-7 Now at that time as the disciples were multiplying there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service. Having called them (together) the twelve (apostles) said to the multitude of disciples. "It is not acceptable that we need to leave the word of God in order to serve at tables. Therefore brethren take from yourselves seven men of good repute who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom and we will appoint them over this office. But we (ourselves) will keep to prayer and the service of the word." This word (of the apostles) pleased the multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch (someone who had been converted to Judaism) They put these before the apostles who having prayed, placed their hands upon them. The word of God grew and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly. (There was also) a big crowd of priests who obeyed the faith.
(Note: Text is mainly a paraphrase of the Literal translation in the RSV Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, 1988)
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