1But a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
2He kept back part of the money, and his wife knew about it. He brought the rest and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, so that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back part of the money from the land?"
4"While you still had the land, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was the money not yours to use as you wished? Why have you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God."
5When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came on all who heard about it.
6The young men got up, wrapped him in a cloth, carried him out, and buried him.
7About three hours later his wife came in. She did not know what had happened.
8Peter 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, "How is it that you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out too."
10At once she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11And great fear came on the whole church, and on all who heard about these things.
12Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they all met together with one mind in Solomon's porch.
13None of the others dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them.
14And more and more believers were added to the Lord, crowds of both men and women.
15So they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and mats, so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
16A crowd also came to Jerusalem from the towns round about, bringing sick people and those who were troubled by unclean spirits. And every one of them was healed.
17Then the high priest stood up, and all who were with him, who belonged to the group of the Sadducees. They were filled with anger,
18and they seized the apostles and put them in the public prison.
19But during the night the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and led them out. He said,
20"Go, stand in the temple, and speak to the people all the words of this life."
21When they heard this, they went into the temple early in the morning and began to teach. But the high priest came, and those who were with him. They called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have the apostles brought in.
22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison. So they went back and reported,
23"We found the prison shut and locked tight, and the guards standing outside before the doors. But when we opened it, we found no one inside."
24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard this, they were puzzled about the apostles, wondering what would come of this.
25Then someone came and told them, "Look, the men you put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people."
26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them in, but without force, for they were afraid of the people, in case they were stoned.
27They brought them in and set them before the council, and the high priest questioned them.
28He said, "Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you mean to bring this man's blood on us."
29Then Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
30"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree."
31"God has lifted him up to his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
32"And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and they planned to kill them.
34Then one of the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people. He ordered the apostles to be taken outside for a little while.
35Then he said to them, "Men of Israel, be careful what you mean to do with these men."
36"Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing."
37"After him Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the tax registration, and drew many people after him. He also died, and all who followed him were scattered."
38"So now I say to you, keep away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work comes from men, it will come to nothing."
39"But if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it. You may even find that you are fighting against God."
40They agreed with him. They called the apostles in, had them beaten, ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41So they left the council, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.