1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2And kept away part of the price, his wife also being of counsel, and brought a certain part, and laid it down at the Apostles’ feet.
3Then said Peter, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart, that thou shouldest lie unto the holy Ghost, and keep away part of the price of this possession?
4While it remained, appertained it not unto thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? how is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down, and gave up the ghost. Then great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6And the young men rose up, and took him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7And it came to pass about the space of three hours after, that his wife came in, ignorant of that which was done.
8And Peter said unto her, Tell me, sold ye the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9Then Peter said unto her, Why have ye agreed together, to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thine husband, are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10Then she fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carried her out, and buried her by her husband.
11And great fear came on all the Church, and on as many as heard these things.
12Thus by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders showed among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13And of the other durst no man join himself to them: nevertheless the people magnified them.
14Also the number of them that believed in the Lord, both of men and women, grew more and more)
15Insomuch that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the leastway the shadow of Peter, when he came by, might shadow some of them.
16There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits, who were all healed.
17Then the chief Priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which was the sect of the Sadducees) and were full of indignation,
18And laid hands on the Apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19But the Angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20Go your way, and stand in the Temple, and speak to the people, all the words of this life.
21So when they heard it, they entered into the Temple early in the morning, and taught. And the chief Priest came, and they that were with him, and called the Council together, and all the Elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison, to cause them to be brought.
22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told it,
23Saying, Certainly we found the prison shut as sure as was possible, and the keepers standing without, before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24Then when the chief Priest and the captain of the Temple, and the high Priests heard these things, they doubted of them, whereunto this would grow.
25Then came one and showed them, saying, Behold, the men that ye put in prison, are standing in the Temple, and teach the people.
26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence (for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.)
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the Council, and the chief Priest asked them,
28Saying, Did we not straightly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and ye would bring this man’s blood upon us.
29Then Peter and the Apostles answered, and said, We ought rather to obey God than men.
30The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree.
31Him hath God lifted up with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32And we are his witnesses concerning these things which we say: yea, and the holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33Now when they heard it, they brast for anger, and consulted to slay them.
34Then stood there up in the Council a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the Law, honored of all the people, and commanded to put the Apostles forth a little space,
35And said unto them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye intend to do touching these men.
36For before these times, rose up Theudas boasting himself, to whom resorted a number of men, about a four hundred, who was slain: and they all which obeyed him were scattered, and brought to naught.
37After this man, arose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the tribute, and drew away much people after him: he also perished, and all that obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
38And now I say unto you, Refrain yourselves from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel, or this work be of men, it will come to naught:
39But if it be of God, ye cannot destroy it, lest ye be found even fighters against God.
40And to him they agreed, and called the Apostles: and when they had beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go.
41So they departed from the Council, rejoicing, that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his Name.
42And daily in the Temple, and from house to house they ceased not to teach, and preach Jesus Christ.