Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

As they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, troubled because they were teaching about Jesus and proclaiming his resurrection from the dead. They were distressed that these men were teaching the people and proclaiming Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

The authorities laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was now evening. But despite this setback, many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of men who followed Jesus grew to about five thousand.

On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were relatives of the high priest. They set Peter and John in the midst and asked by what power or authority they had done this.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "You leaders of the people and elders of Israel, if we are examined today about the good deed done to the man who was powerless, by what means he is made whole? By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and God raised from the dead, this man stands before you whole."

Peter went on to say, "This is the stone which you builders rejected, which has become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved." When they saw Peter and John's boldness, they were amazed that these uneducated men had been with Jesus.

And behold, the man who was healed stood with them, a living witness to the power of God. The authorities were unable to speak against it, for they knew that a notable miracle had been done by Peter and John.

After consulting among themselves, they decided to sternly warn Peter and John not to speak any more in Jesus' name or teach in it. They ordered them not to speak at all in Jesus' name or teach about him. But Peter and John replied, "You decide whether it is right in God's sight to give us more attention than Him."

"We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard," they said. When they had further threatened them, they released Peter and John, finding no way to punish them because of the crowd, since all the people were glorifying God for what had been done.

The man who was healed was over forty years old, and he had been cured through this remarkable miracle. After being released from custody, Peter and John went back to their friends and told them everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

When they heard the news, with one voice they lifted their voices to God in praise, saying, "Lord, you are God, who made heaven and earth and sea, and everything in them. Through your servant David, you have said: Why did the nations rage and the people imagine futile things? The rulers of the earth and their leaders gathered against the Lord and his Christ."

They continued to pray, saying, "For of a truth against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate gathered together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. For to do whatever your hand and counsel had determined beforehand would be done." And now, Lord," they said, "behold their threats and grant to your servants that with complete boldness they may speak your word."

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They spoke God's word with boldness, and the believers were united in heart and soul.

They shared everything they owned and no one among them said that anything he possessed was his own. The apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant favor rested upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked, for those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to contribute to the community.

The money they received was laid at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made unto every man according to his need. Joses, also known as Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, had sold his land and brought the money to lay it at the apostles' feet.