聖經365恩典之旅

   

 

徒1:1提阿非羅阿，我已經作了前書，論到耶穌開頭一切所教訓的，

徒1:2直到他藉著聖靈，吩咐所揀選的使徒，以後被接上升的日子為止。

徒1:3他受害之後，用許多的憑據，將自己活活的顯給使徒看，四十天之久向他們顯現，講說神國的事。

徒1:4耶穌和他們聚集的時候，囑咐他們說：不要離開耶路撒冷，要等候父所應許的，就是你們聽見我說過的。

徒1:5約翰是用水施洗，但不多幾日，你們要受聖靈的洗。

徒1:6他們聚集的時候，問耶穌說：主阿，你復興以色列國，就在這時候嗎。

徒1:7耶穌對他們說：父憑著自己的權柄，所定的時候日期，不是你們可以知道的。

徒1:8但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力，並要在耶路撒冷，猶太全地，和撒瑪利亞，直到地極，作我的見證。

徒1:9說了這話，他們正看的時候，他就被取上升，有一朵雲彩把他接去，便看不見他了。

徒1:10當他往上去，他們定睛望天的時候，忽然有兩個人，身穿白衣，站在旁邊，說：

徒1:11加利利人哪，你們為甚麼站著望天呢，這離開你們被接升天的耶穌，你們見他怎樣往天上去，他還要怎樣來。

徒1:12有一座山名叫橄欖山，離耶路撒冷不遠，約有安息日可走的路程，當下門徒從那裡回耶路撒冷去。

徒1:13進了城，就上了所住的一間樓房，在那裡有彼得，約翰，雅各，安得烈，腓力，多馬，巴多羅買，馬太，亞勒腓的兒子雅各，奮銳黨的西門，和雅各的兒子〔或作兄弟〕猶大。

徒1:14這些人，同著幾個婦人，和耶穌的母親馬利亞，並耶穌的弟兄，都同心合意的恆切禱告。

徒1:15那時，有許多人聚會，約有一百二十名，彼得就在弟兄中間站起來，說：

徒1:16弟兄們，聖靈藉大衛的口，在聖經上，豫言領人捉拿耶穌的猶大，這話是必須應驗的。

徒1:17他本來列在我們數中，並且在使徒的職任上得了一分。

徒1:18這人用他作惡的工價，買了一塊田，以後身子仆倒，肚腹崩裂，腸子都流出來。

徒1:19住在耶路撒冷的眾人都知道這事，所以按著他們那裡的話，給那塊田起名叫亞革大馬，就是血田的意思。

徒1:20因為詩篇上寫著說：『願他的住處，變為荒場，無人在內居住。』又說：『願別人得他的職分。』

徒1:21所以主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候，

徒1:22就是從約翰施洗起，直到主離開我們被接上升的日子為止，必須從那常與我們作伴的人中，立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。

徒1:23於是選舉兩個人，就是那叫作巴撒巴又稱呼猶士都的約瑟，和馬提亞。

徒1:24眾人就禱告說：主阿，你知道萬人的心，求你從這兩個人中，指明你所揀選的是誰，叫他得這使徒的位分，這位分猶大已經丟棄，往自己的地方去了。

徒1:25見上節

徒1:26於是眾人為他們搖籤，搖出馬提亞來，他就和十一個使徒同列。

 

徒2:1五旬節到了，門徒都聚集在一處。

徒2:2忽然從天上有響聲下來，好像一陣大風吹過，充滿了他們所坐的屋子。

徒2:3又有舌頭如火焰顯現出來，分開落在他們各人頭上。

徒2:4他們就都被聖靈充滿，按著聖靈所賜的口才，說起別國的話來。

徒2:5那時，有虔誠的猶太人，從天下各國來，住在耶路撒冷。

徒2:6這聲音一響，眾人都來聚集，各人聽見門徒用眾人的鄉談說話，就甚納悶。

徒2:7都驚訝希奇說：看哪，這說話的不都是加利利人麼。

徒2:8我們各人，怎麼聽見他們說我們生來所用的鄉談呢。

徒2:9我們帕提亞人，瑪代人，以攔人，和住在米所波大米，猶太，加帕多家，本都，亞西亞，

徒2:10弗呂家，旁非利亞，埃及的人，並靠近古利奈的呂彼亞一帶地方的人，從羅馬來的客旅中，或是猶太人，或是進猶太教的人，

徒2:11革哩底和亞拉伯人，都聽見他們用我們的鄉談，講說神的大作為。

徒2:12眾人就都驚訝猜疑，彼此說：這是甚麼意思呢。

徒2:13還有人譏誚說：他們無非是新酒灌滿了。

徒2:14彼得和十一個使徒，站起，高聲說：猶太人，和一切住在耶路撒冷的人哪，這件事你們當知道，也當側耳聽我的話。

徒2:15你們想這些人是醉了，其實不是醉了，因為時候剛到巳初。

徒2:16這正是先知約珥所說的。

徒2:17『神說：在末後的日子，我要將我的靈澆灌凡有血氣的，你們的兒女要說豫言，你們的少年人要見異象，老年人要作異夢。

徒2:18在那些日子，我要將我的靈澆灌我的僕人和使女，他們就要說豫言。

徒2:19在天上我要顯出奇事，在地下我要顯出神蹟，有血，有火，有煙霧。

徒2:20日頭要變為黑暗，月亮要變為血，這都在主大而明顯的日子未到以前。

徒2:21到那時候，凡求告主名的，就必得救。』

徒2:22以色列人哪，請聽我的話，神藉著拿撒勒人耶穌，在你們中間施行異能奇事神蹟，將他證明出來，這是你們自己知道的。

徒2:23他既按著神的定旨先見，被交與人，你們就藉著無法之人的手，把他釘在十字架上殺了。

徒2:24神卻將死的痛苦解釋了，叫他復活，因為他原不能被死拘禁。

徒2:25大衛指著他說：『我看見主常在我眼前，他在我右邊，叫我不至於搖動。

徒2:26所以我心裡歡喜，我的靈〔原文作舌〕快樂，並且我的肉身要安居在指望中。

徒2:27因你必不將我的靈魂撇在陰間，也不叫你的聖者見朽壞。

徒2:28你已將生命的道路指示我，必叫我因見你的面，〔或作叫我在你面前〕得著滿足的快樂。』

徒2:29弟兄們，先祖大衛的事，我可以明明對你們說：他死了，也葬埋了，並且他的墳墓，直到今日還在我們這裡。

徒2:30大衛既是先知，又曉得神曾向他起誓，要從他的後裔中，立一位坐在他的寶座上。

徒2:31就豫先看明這事，講論基督復活說：他的靈魂，不撇在陰間，他的肉身，也不見朽壞，

徒2:32這耶穌，神已經叫他復活了，我們都為這事作見證。

徒2:33他既被神的右手高舉，〔或作他既高舉在神的右邊〕又從父受了所應許的聖靈，就把你們所看見所聽見的，澆灌下來。

徒2:34大衛並沒有升到天上，但自己說：『主對我主說：你坐在我的右邊，

徒2:35等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。』

徒2:36故此，以色列全家當確實的知道，你們釘在十字架上的這位耶穌，神已經立他為主為基督了。

徒2:37眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說：弟兄們，我們當怎樣行。

徒2:38彼得說：你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。

徒2:39因為這應許是給你們，和你們的兒女，並一切在遠方的人，就是主我們神所召來的。

徒2:40彼得還用許多話作見證，勸勉他們說：你們當救自己脫離這彎曲的世代。

徒2:41於是領受他話的人，就受了洗，那一天，門徒約添了三千人。

徒2:42都恆心遵守使徒的教訓，彼此交接，擘餅，祈禱。

徒2:43眾人都懼怕，使徒又行了許多奇事神蹟。

徒2:44信的人都在一處，凡物公用。

徒2:45並且賣了田產家業，照各人所需用的分給各人。

徒2:46他們天天同心合意恆切的在殿裡，且在家中擘餅，存著歡喜誠實的心用飯，

徒2:47讚美神，得眾民的喜愛。主將得救的人，天天加給他們。

 

徒3:1申初禱告的時候，彼得，約翰，上聖殿去。

徒3:2有一個人，生來是瘸腿的，天天被人抬來，放在殿的一個門口，那門名叫美門，要求進殿的人賙濟。

徒3:3他看見彼得約翰將要進殿，就求他們賙濟。

徒3:4彼得約翰定睛看他，彼得說：你看我們。

徒3:5那人就留意看他們，指望得著甚麼。

徒3:6彼得說：金銀我都沒有，只把我所有的給你，我奉拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名，叫你起來行走。

徒3:7於是拉著他的右手，扶他起來，他的腳和踝子骨，立刻健壯了。

徒3:8就跳起來，站著，又行走，同他們進了殿，走著，跳著，讚美神。

徒3:9百姓都看見他行走，讚美神。

徒3:10認得他是那素常坐在殿的美門口求賙濟的，就因他所遇著的事，滿心希奇驚訝。

徒3:11那人正在稱為所羅門的廊下，拉著彼得，約翰，眾百姓一齊跑到他們那裡，很覺希奇。

徒3:12彼得看見，就對百姓說：以色列人哪，為甚麼把這事當作希奇呢，為甚麼定睛看我們，以為我們憑自己的能力和虔誠，使這人行走呢。

徒3:13亞伯拉罕，以撒，雅各的神，就是我們列祖的神，已經榮耀了他的僕人耶穌，〔僕人或作兒子〕你們卻把他交付彼拉多，彼拉多定意要釋放他，你們竟在彼拉多面前棄絕了他。

徒3:14你們棄絕了那聖潔公義者，反求著釋放一個兇手給你們。

徒3:15你們殺了那生命的主，神卻叫他從死裡復活了，我們都是為這事作見證。

徒3:16我們因信他的名，他的名便叫你們所看見所認識的這人，健壯了，正是他所賜的信心，叫這人在你們眾人面前全然好了。

徒3:17弟兄們，我曉得你們作這事，是出於不知，你們的官長也是如此。

徒3:18但神曾藉眾先知的口，豫言基督將要受害，就這樣應驗了。

徒3:19所以你們當悔改歸正，使你們的罪得以塗抹，這樣，那安舒的日子，就必從主面前來到。

徒3:20主也必差遣所豫定給你們的基督耶穌降臨。

徒3:21天必留他，等到萬物復興的時候，就是神從創世以來，藉著聖先知的口所說的。

徒3:22摩西曾說：『主神要從你們弟兄中間，給你們興起一位先知像我，凡他向你們所說的，你們都要聽從。

徒3:23凡不聽從那先知的，必要從民中全然滅絕。』

徒3:24從撒母耳以來的眾先知，凡說豫言的，也都說到這些日子。

徒3:25你們是先知的子孫，也承受神與你們祖宗所立的約，就是對亞伯拉罕說：地上萬族，都要因你的後裔得福。

徒3:26神既興起他的僕人，〔或作兒子〕就先差他到你們這裡來，賜福給你們，叫你們各人回轉，離開罪惡。

 

徒4:1使徒對百姓說話的時候，祭司們和守殿官，並撒都該人，忽然來了。

徒4:2因他們教訓百姓，本著耶穌，傳說死人復活，就很煩惱。

徒4:3於是下手拿住他們，因為天已經晚了，就把他們押到第二天。

徒4:4但聽道之人，有許多信的，男丁數目，約到五千。

徒4:5第二天，官府，長老，和文士，在耶路撒冷聚會。

徒4:6又有大祭司

亞那，和該亞法，約翰，亞力山大，並大祭司的親族都在那裡。

徒4:7叫使徒站在當中，就問他們說：你們用甚麼能力，奉誰的名，作這事呢。

徒4:8那時，彼得被聖靈充滿，對他們說：

徒4:9治民的官府，和長老阿，倘若今日，因為在殘疾人身上所行的善事，查問我們他是怎麼得了痊癒。

徒4:10你們眾人，和以色列百姓，都當知道，站在你們面前的這人得痊癒，是因你們所釘十字架，神叫他從死裡復活的，拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。

徒4:11他是你們匠人所棄的石頭，已成了房角的頭塊石頭。

徒4:12除他以外，別無拯救，因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名，我們可以靠著得救。

徒4:13他們見彼得約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的。

徒4:14又看見那治好了的人，和他們一同站著，就無話可駁。

徒4:15於是吩咐他們從公會出去，就彼此商議說：

徒4:16我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢，因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟，凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道，我們也不能說沒有。

徒4:17惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間，我們必須恐嚇他們，叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。

徒4:18於是叫了他們來，禁止他們，總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。

徒4:19彼得約翰說：聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量罷。

徒4:20我們所看見所聽見的，不能不說。

徒4:21官長為百姓的緣故，想不出法子刑罰他們，又恐嚇一番，把他們釋放了，這是因眾人為所行的奇事，都歸榮耀與神。

徒4:22原來藉著神蹟醫好的那人，有四十多歲了。

徒4:23二人既被釋放，就到會友那裡去，把祭司長和長老所說的話，都告訴他們。

徒4:24他們聽見了，就同心合意的，高聲向神說：主阿，你是造天，地，海，和其中萬物的。

徒4:25你曾藉著聖靈，託你僕人我們祖宗大衛的口，說：『外邦為甚麼爭鬧，萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事。

徒4:26世上的君王一齊起來，臣宰也聚集，要敵擋主，並主的受高膏者。〔或作基督〕』

徒4:27希律和本丟彼拉多，外邦人和以色列民，果然在這城裡聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌，〔僕或作子〕

徒4:28成就你手和你意旨所豫定必有的事。

徒4:29他們恐嚇我們，現在求主鑒察，一面叫你僕人大放膽量，講你的道，一面伸出你的手來，醫治疾病，並且使神蹟奇事，因著你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。〔僕或作子〕

徒4:30見上節

徒4:31禱告完了，聚會的地方震動，他們就都被聖靈充滿，放膽講論神的道。

徒4:32那許多信的人，都是一心一意的，沒有一人說：他的東西有一樣是自己的，都是大家公用。

徒4:33使徒大有能力，見證主耶穌復活，眾人也都蒙大恩。

徒4:34內中也沒有一個缺乏的，因為人人將田產房屋都賣了，把所賣的價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前。

徒4:35照各人所需用的，分給各人。

徒4:36有一個利未人，生在居比路，名叫約瑟，使徒稱他為巴拿巴。（巴拿巴繙出來，就是勸慰子）

徒4:37他有田地，也賣了，把價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前。

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

 

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

 

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

 

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

 

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

 

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

 

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

 

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

 

“‘May his place be deserted;

    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e]

and,

 

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f]

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

 

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

 

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

 

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

 

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

 

17 “‘In the last days, God says,

    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

    your young men will see visions,

    your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

    and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

    blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood

    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

 

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.

    Because he is at my right hand,

    I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

    my body also will rest in hope,

27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

    you will not let your holy one see decay.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life;

    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e]

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

 

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:

    “Sit at my right hand

35 until I make your enemies

    a footstool for your feet.”’[f]

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

 

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

 

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

 

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

 

The Fellowship of the Believers

3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

 

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

 

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

 

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a]

 

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

 

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

 

“‘the stone you builders rejected,

    which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

 

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

 

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

 

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

 

“‘Why do the nations rage

    and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth rise up

    and the rulers band together

against the Lord

    and against his anointed one.[b]’[c]

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

 

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.