| As they spake unto the people, the Priests and the ruler of the temple, and the Saduces came upon them taking it grievously that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from death. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold until the next day: for it was now even tide. How be it many of them which heard the words, believed and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And it chanced on the morrow that their rulers and elders and Scribes, as Annas the chief Priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and as many as were of the kindred of the high Priests gathered together at Jerusalem, and set the other before them, and asked: by what power or what name have ye done this, sirs?
Then Peter full of the holy ghost said unto them: ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day are examined of the good deed done to the sick man, by what means he is made whole: be it known unto you all, and to the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, and whom God raised again from death: even by him doth this man stand here present before you whole. This is the stone cast aside of you builders, which is set in the chief place of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. Nor yet also is there any other name given to men wherein we must be saved.
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled, and they knew them, that they were with *Jesu: and beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they could not say against it. But they commanded them to go aside out of the council, and counselled among themselves saying: what shall we do to these men? For a manifest sign is done by them, and is openly known to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them that in no wise they should speak or teach in the name of *Jesu. But Peter and John answered unto them and said: whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you more than God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak that which we have seen and heard. So threatened they them and let them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people. For all men lauded God for the miracle which was done: for the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
As soon as they were let go, they came to their fellows, and showed all that the high Priests and elders had said to them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord, and said: Lord, thou art God which hast made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is, which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things. The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers came together, against the Lord and against his Christ.
For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselves together, for to do whatsoever thy hands and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy servants with all confidence to speak thy word. So that thou stretch forth thine hand, that healing and signs and wonders be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And as soon as they had prayed the place moved where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.
And the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and of one soul. Also none of them said, that any of the things which he possessed, was his own: but had all things common. And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was with them all. Neither was there any among them, that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the Apostles feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
And Joses which was also called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that is to say the son of consolation) being a Levite, and of the country of *Cypers, had land, and sold it and laid the price down at the Apostles feet. |
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