Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

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

Peter said to them, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained in your possession, did it not belong to you? And after it was sold, wasn't it still under your control? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven't lied to people, but to God."

Ananias heard Peter's words and fell down dead. Great fear came upon all who heard them. The young men arose, wrapped him around, and carried him out to be buried.

About three hours later, his wife Sapphira came in, not knowing what had been done. Peter asked her, "Did you sell the land for that amount?" She replied, "Yes, we did." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door and will carry you out."

Sapphira fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, carrying her out to be buried by her husband. Great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were performed among the people who were all together in Solomon's porch. And of the rest, no one dared to join themselves to them, but the people magnified them. Believers were added to the Lord in even greater numbers, including multitudes of men and women.

They brought out the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least Peter's shadow passing by might overshadow some of them. A multitude from the cities around Jerusalem came to the city, bringing people who were sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were healed every one.

The high priest rose up, and all who were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and they were filled with indignation. They laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. The angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them out, saying, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of eternal life."

When they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and began teaching. The high priest arrived with his companions, convened the council, summoned all the members of Israel's senate, and sent to the prison to have them brought. When the officers arrived, they found the men not in prison and reported back.

"We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing before the doors," they said, "but when we opened them, we discovered that no one was inside." The high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things and were uncertain about what would become of them.

Then someone came and told them, "Look, the men you put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people." The captain went with the officers and brought them out without violence, lest they should be stoned by the people. When they had brought them, they set them before the council; and the high priest asked them, "We strictly commanded you not to teach in this name, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teachings and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

Peter and the other apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than men." The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed and had crucified on a cross. God has exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

"We are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him," they said. When they heard that, they were deeply grieved and decided to put them to death.

Then stood up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was respected by all the people. "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men," he said. "For before these days rose up Theudas, who claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who followed him were scattered and brought to nothing."

"After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; all who obeyed him were scattered," Gamaliel continued. "And now I say to you, refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or work comes from humans, it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God."

They agreed with Gamaliel and after summoning the apostles, they beat them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, then released them. The apostles departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Daily in the temple and in every house, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.