1But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2and he kept back some of the proceeds, with his wife’s full knowledge. And he brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds from the land?
4While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to human beings, but to God.”
5When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard.
6And the younger men got up, wrapped him up, and carried him out and buried him.
7Now after an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8And Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this much?” And she said, “Yes, for that much.”
9Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10And she fell down immediately at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things.
12Now many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all together with one accord in Solomon’s Portico.
13None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem.
14And more than ever, believers were added to the Lord—multitudes of both men and women.
15so that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, in order that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
16The multitude from the towns around Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17But the high priest and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees) rose up, and they were filled with jealousy.
18They laid hands on the apostles and put them in public custody.
19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and leading them out, he said,
20“Go, stand in the temple courts and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
21When they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and those with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel—and sent to the prison to have the apostles brought.
22But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,
23saying, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about this, wondering what it might lead to.
25Then someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people.”
26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned.
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest questioned them,
28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us!”
29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than human beings.”
30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31God exalted this one to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
33When they heard this, they were infuriated and wanted to kill them.
34But a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a little while.
35And he said to them, ‘Men of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men.’
36For before these days Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, rallied to him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37After this one, Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
38So now I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will be overthrown.
39but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them—lest you even be found to be fighting against God.’ They were persuaded by him,
40and after calling in the apostles and flogging them, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
41So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the Name.
42And every day in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus the Christ.
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