Acts 5

1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

2And he kept back part of the price, brought a certain portion, and placed it at the apostles' feet, his wife also being aware.

3But Peter said, "Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to hold back part of the price of the land?"

4While it remained, did it not remain yours? And after it was sold, was it not in your authority? Why did you put this thing in your heart? You did not lie to people, but to God.

5Ananias, hearing these words, fell and breathed his last; great fear came upon all who heard.

6The young men rose, wrapped him, carried him out, and buried him.

7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

8And Peter answered her, “Tell me, did you sell the field for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

9But Peter said to her, "How did you agree 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."

10She fell immediately at his feet and died. Then the young men entered, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.

11And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things.

12Through the apostles' hands many signs and wonders were done among the people, and all were of one mind in Solomon's portico.

13None of the rest dared join them, but the people exalted them.

14Yet more believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.

15So they even carried the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats, so that as Peter came near, even his shadow might overshadow some of them.

16Crowds from the surrounding cities also gathered to Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits—who were all healed.

17But the high priest arose, and all with him—being the Sadducee sect—were filled with jealousy.

18And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in public custody.

19But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, brought them out, and said,

20Go, stand in the temple, and speak to the people all the words of this life.

21Having heard, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught. But when the high priest arrived with those alongside him, they summoned the council and the full senate of Israel's sons, and sent to the prison to bring them.

22But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison, but returned and reported.

23saying that we found the prison securely shut and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.

24When the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them—what this might become.

25Someone came and reported to them, "Look, the men you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."

26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people lest they be stoned.

27When they had brought them, they stood them before the council, and the high priest questioned them.

28saying, "Didn't we charge you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you mean to bring this man's blood upon us."

29But Peter and the apostles answered, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men."

30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging on a tree.

31God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

32And we are witnesses of these words, along with the Holy Spirit whom God gave to those who obey him.

33But they were enraged when they heard this and wanted to kill them.

34But a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, stood up in the council and commanded the men to be taken outside briefly.

35He said to them, "Men of Israel, pay attention to yourselves concerning these men—what you are about to do."

36For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody himself; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, rallied. He was killed, and all who obeyed him scattered and amounted to nothing.

37After this man, Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew people after him. He too perished, and all who obeyed him were scattered.

38And now I say to you: keep away from these men and let them be, for if this plan or this deed comes from humans, it will collapse.

39But if it is from God, you will be unable to destroy them, lest you even be found fighters against God. And they were persuaded by him.

40And summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

41So they went from before the council rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to be dishonored for the name.

42Every day, both in the temple and house to house, they never ceased teaching and preaching Jesus the Christ.