1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property
2 and kept back part of the price for himself, his wife also knowing it; and he brought a certain part and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and hold back part of the price of the land?
4 As long as it stayed unsold, was it not yours? And once sold, was it not in your own power? Why did you plan this deed in your heart? You have lied not to men but to God."
5 And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and expired; and great fear came on all who heard these things.
6 And the young men got up, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much."
9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and expired. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, they buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things.
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest no one dared to join himself to them, but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were added to the Lord more and more, multitudes both of men and of women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and pallets, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.
16 And a multitude also came together from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those troubled by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all who were with him, that is, the sect of the Sadducees, and they were filled with jealousy,
18 and they laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.
19 But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said,
20 "Go, and standing in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this Life."
21 And when they heard this, they went into the temple early in the morning and taught. Now the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called together the council and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But the officers, on arriving, did not find them in the prison; and they came back and reported,
23 "The prison we found shut with all security, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one within."
24 When the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering where this would lead.
25 Then someone came and reported to them, "Look, the men you placed in the prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them, but not by force, for they feared the people, lest they be stoned.
27 And having brought them, they stood them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
28 saying, "Did we not strictly charge you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging him on a tree.
31 Him God has exalted with his right hand to be Prince and Savior, 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 gave to those who obey him."
33 When they heard this, they were cut to the quick and were planning to kill them.
34 Then there stood up in the council a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and he commanded that the apostles be put outside for a short time.
35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as to what you intend to do to these men.
36 For before these days Theudas rose up, saying that he was somebody, and a number of men, some four hundred, attached themselves to him; he was slain, and all who obeyed him were broken up and came to nothing.
37 After this man Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew away many people after him; he also perished, and all who obeyed him were scattered.
38 And now I say to you, stand away from these men and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39 but if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it; you might even be found fighting against God."
40 And they were persuaded by him; and having called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and announcing the good news of Jesus as the Christ.