Ananias and Sapphira

1But a certain man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, 2sold a possession, and secreted part of the price, his wife also being conscious to it; and bringing: some part, laid it at the feet of the apostles. 3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan so filled thine heart, that thou shouldst lie to the holy Ghost, and keep back part of the price of the land? 4While it remained, did it not remain thy own? and when sold, was it not in thy own power? what is the meaning that thou hast taken this into thine heart? Thou hast not lyed to men, but to God. 5And Ananias at the hearing of these words fell down and expired: and great fear came on all that heard these things. 6And some of the young men arose, and wrapped him up; and they carried him out, and buried him.

7And about the space of three hours after, his wife also came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter said to her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yes, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, Wherefore have ye agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold the feet of those, who have been burying thy husband, now at the door, and they shall carry thee out. 10And immediately she fell down at his feet and expired: and the young men coming in found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole assembly, and upon all that heard these things.

The Apostles Heal Many

12And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people: And they all met with one accord in Solomon's portico: 13but no other presumed to join himself to them; however the people magnified them. 14And true believers were the more willingly added to the Lord, even multitudes both of men and women. 15insomuch that they brought the sick out into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at lest the shadow of Peter, as he came by, might pass over some of them. 16And a great number out of the cities round about also came together to Jerusalem, bringing those that were infirm and that were troubled with impure spirits; and they were all cured.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17Then the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, (being of the sect of the sadducees,) and were filled with rage: 18and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison. 19But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison by night, and having brought them out said, 20"Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." 21And hearing this, they went early in the morning into the temple and taught the people. But the high priest being come, and they that were with him, to the council-chamber, they called together the Sanhedrim, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent orders to the prison that they should be brought before them. 22But when the officers came they found them not in the prison: so they returned, 23and told them, saying, the prison we found shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we opened them, we found no body within.

The Apostles before the Sanhedrin

24Now when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what this would come to; 25when there came one and told them, saying, behold, the men whom ye put in prison, are in the temple teaching the people. 26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them, but not with violence; for they were afraid of the people least they should be stoned:

27and when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28saying, Did not we strictly charge you not to teach in this name? and behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would bring this man's blood upon us. 29But Peter, and the other apostles, answered, and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand as a prince and saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins: 32and we are his witnesses of what we declare; and so is the holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

Gamaliel’s Advice

33And when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to put them to death. 34But a certain pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in much esteem by all the people, stood up in the council, and ordered the apostles to be taken out a little while; and then he said unto them, 35Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do, as to these men. 36For some time ago one Theudas arose, pretending to be some extraordinary person, to whom was joined a number of men, about four hundred: who was slain, and all that followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After him arose Judas the Galilean, at the time of the registring, and drew much people after him: but he also perished, and all that followed him were dispersed. 38And therefore as to the present affair I advise you to refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing; 39but if it be of God, ye cannot defeat it, least ye be found fighting even against God.

40So they took his advice, and having called for the apostles and scourged them, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41And they departed from the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer disgrace for his name. 42And every day in the temple and from house to house they ceased not from teaching and preaching that Jesus was the Christ.