Acts 5

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

and kept back part of the price (his wife also having known about it), and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that the Adversary has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your authority? How is it that you have contrived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to man, but to God.”

Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed out his last breath. And great fear came on all who heard about it.

And the young men got up and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.

Now it was about an interval of three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

But Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

She fell down immediately at his feet, and breathed out her last breath, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

And great fear came on the whole church, and on all who heard these things.

But by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

But of the rest, no one dared join himself to them, nevertheless, the people magnified them.

Now more believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes of them, both men and women,

so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on mats and beds, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.

And the multitudes from the cities around Jerusalem also came together, bringing people who were sick and those who were afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

But the high priest got up, and all those who were with him (the local sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

and laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public jail.

But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said,

“Go, and stand and speak in the Temple to the people all the words of this new life.”

And when they heard this, they went into the Temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called together the Sanhedrin and the whole body of elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison house to have them brought.

But the temple police that came did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported,

saying, “We found the prison securely locked, and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

Now when the commander of the Temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed concerning them and what might become of this.

And one came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”

Then the commander went, with the Temple police, and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of the people, lest they should be stoned.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them,

saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? But Look! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than man.

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you slew by hanging him on a tree.

He is the one whom God exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the holy spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”

But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were intending to put them to death.

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in the Sanhedrin, a doctor of the law held in honor by all the People, and he commanded to put the men outside a little while.

And he said to them, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you are about to do with these men.

For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about 400, joined him. He was killed, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were dispersed and came to nothing.

After him, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were scattered.

And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of man, it will be overthrown,

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. Perhaps you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

So they were persuaded by him, and having called in the apostles, they flogged them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Therefore, they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name.

And every day, in the Temple and at home, they did not cease to teach and to proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ.