Acts 4:1-20

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, some Jewish leaders came up to them. There were some priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees. They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death. The Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day. But many of the people who heard the apostles believed what they said. There were now about 5000 men in the group of believers. The next day the Jewish rulers, the older Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there. Everyone from the high priest’s family was there. They made Peter and John stand before all the people. They asked them over and over, “How did you make this crippled man well? What power did you use? By whose authority did you do this?” Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and you older leaders, are you questioning us today about what we did to help this crippled man? Are you asking us what made him well? We want all of you and all the people of Israel to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You nailed Jesus to a cross, but God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well. He is able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! Jesus is ‘the stone that you builders thought was not important. But this stone has become the cornerstone.’ Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!” The Jewish leaders understood that Peter and John had no special training or education. But they also saw that they were not afraid to speak. So the leaders were amazed. They also realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. They saw the crippled man standing there beside the apostles. They saw that he was healed, so they could say nothing against the apostles. The Jewish leaders told them to leave the council meeting. Then the leaders talked to each other about what they should do. They said, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about the miracle they did as a sign from God. It’s too obvious. We can’t say it didn’t happen. But we must make them afraid to talk to anyone again using that name. Then this problem will not spread among the people.” So the Jewish leaders called Peter and John in again. They told the apostles not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about what we have seen and heard.”