Peace of Our Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool - WELS

Acts 5:17-42

Acts 5

On Trial Before the Sanhedrin

¹⁷ The high priest rose up, along with his associates (that is, the party of the Sadducees), because they were filled with envy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and keep on telling the people the whole message about this life.” ²¹ After they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began to teach.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin (that is, the whole council of elders of the people of Israel). Then they sent orders to the jail to have the apostles brought in. ²² But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison. They returned and reported, ²³ “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were puzzled about them, wondering what could have happened.

²⁵ Then someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people.”

²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles in without force, because they were afraid that the people might stone them. ²⁷ After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin. The high priest asked them, ²⁸ “Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name? ^[1] Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood down on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you arrested and killed by hanging him on a cross. ³¹ God exalted him to his right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and the forgiveness of sins. ³² We are witnesses ^[2] of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³³ When they heard this, they were furious and began making a plan to put them to death. ^{[3] 34} But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was highly respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men ^[4] be put outside for a little while.

³⁵ Then he said to them, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you are about to do with these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, all his followers were scattered, and it all came to nothing.

³⁷ “After him, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and led many ^[5] people in a revolt. He also was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

³⁸ “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and leave them alone! For if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. ^[6] Perhaps you might even be found to be fighting against God!”

⁴⁰ They were convinced by him. They summoned the apostles, beat them, ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name. ^{[7] 42} Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 4:32 – 5:16

Acts 4

The Believers Shared Everything

³² The whole group of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they held everything in common. ³³ The apostles continued to testify about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ ^[1] with great power, and abundant grace was on all of them. ³⁴ There was not a needy person among them. For from time to time those who were owners of lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds received from what was sold, ³⁵ and laid it at the apostles’ feet. It was distributed to each one according to what anyone needed.

³⁶ Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him. He brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5

¹ Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s knowledge, he kept back part of the proceeds for himself. Then he brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ Was it not yours before it was sold? And after it was sold, was not the money at your disposal? How could you plan such a thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Great fear gripped everyone who heard about it. ⁶ The young men got up and wrapped up his body. Then they carried him out and buried him.

⁷ About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this how much you got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that was the price.”

⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How could you two agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are standing at the door, and they will carry you out too!”

¹⁰ Instantly she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in, they found her dead. Then they carried her outside and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ Great fear gripped the whole church and all who heard about these things.

Many Miracles

¹² Many signs and wonders were done among the people through the hands of the apostles. With one mind, they all continued meeting in Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ No one else dared to join them, but the people held them in high regard. ¹⁴ More and more believers in the Lord were added to their group, large numbers of both men and women. ¹⁵ As a result, people were even carrying the sick into the streets and laying them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, ^[2] bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.

Acts 4:1-31

Acts 4

On Trial for an Act of Kindness

¹ As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple guard, and the Sadducees approached them. ² They were very upset because Peter and John were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead in connection with Jesus. ³ They arrested them and put them in jail until the next day because it was already evening.

⁴ But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men increased to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day, the rulers, the elders, and the experts in the law assembled in Jerusalem ⁶ with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the rest of the high priest’s family. ⁷ After they made Peter and John stand in front of them, they began to question them: “By what power or by what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, ^{[1] 9} if we are being questioned today for a kind act that was done for the lame man, as to how this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead! By him this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. ^[2]

¹² “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

¹³ When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and found out that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished and took note of the fact that these men had been with Jesus.

¹⁴ But since they saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they could not say anything in reply. ¹⁵ After they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they discussed the matter among themselves. ¹⁶ They asked, “What should we do with these men? To be sure, it is evident to all who live in Jerusalem that a miraculous sign has been done through them, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ However, in order that this may spread no further among the people, let us give them a strict ^[3] warning not to speak any longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they summoned them and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Decide whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God. ²⁰ For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

²¹ After they had threatened them further, they let them go. They found no way to punish them because all of the people were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this miraculous sign of healing was performed was over forty years old.

The Church Speaks God’s Word Boldly

²³ After Peter and John were released, they went to their own friends and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard this, with one mind they raised their voices to God and said, “Master, you are the God who ^[4] made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ By the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, you said:

²⁷ “For certainly, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did whatever your hand and your plan had decided beforehand should happen.

²⁹ “Now Lord, look at their threats and give to your servants the ability to keep on speaking your word with all boldness ³⁰ as you stretch out your hand to heal and as signs and wonders take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. Also, everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 3

Peter Heals a Lame Man

¹ Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, ^[1] an hour of prayer. ² A certain man who was lame from birth was carried there every day and placed at the temple gate, which is called Beautiful, so that he could beg for donations from those entering the temple. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked them for a donation.

⁴ Peter looked directly at him, as did John. Peter said, “Look at us.” ⁵ So the man paid close attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.

⁶ But Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I will give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” ⁷ Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ Jumping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered the temple courts with them, walking, jumping, and praising God.

⁹ All the people saw him walking and praising God. ¹⁰ They recognized him as the one who used to sit begging for money at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. ¹¹ While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people came running toward them in utter amazement in the area called Solomon’s Colonnade.

¹² When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ^[2] the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. ¹⁴ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you. ¹⁵ You killed the Author ^[3] of Life, whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶ And on the basis of faith in his name, it is the name of Jesus that has strengthened this man, whom you see and know. This faith that comes through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

¹⁷ “Now brothers, ^[4] I know that you acted in ignorance, just like your leaders. ¹⁸ But in this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through the mouth of all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. ¹⁹ Therefore repent and return to have your sins wiped out, ²⁰ so that refreshing times may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you. ²¹ He must receive heaven ^[5] until the times when everything will be restored, as God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

²² “Moses said to the fathers: ^[6]

The Lord your ^[7] God will raise up for you a Prophet from your brothers who is like me. Listen to everything he tells you. ²³ And this is what will happen: Every person who does not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people. ^[8]

²⁴ “Also, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have talked about these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with our ^[9] fathers when he said to Abraham:

In your seed ^[10] all the families of the earth will be blessed. ^[11]

²⁶ “God raised up his Servant and sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you away from your wicked ways.”

Acts 2:37-47

Acts 2

³⁷ Now when the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Gentlemen, brothers, what should we do?”

³⁸ Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your ^[1] sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ He testified solemnly with many other words and was appealing to them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

⁴¹ Those who ^[2] accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added.

The Christians Lived in Unity

⁴² They continued to hold firmly to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. ⁴³ Awe came over every soul, ^[3] and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They were selling their possessions and property and were distributing the proceeds according to what anyone needed.

⁴⁶ Day after day, with one mind, they were devoted to meeting in the temple area, as they continued to break bread in their homes. They shared their food with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ as they continued praising God and being viewed favorably by all the people. Day after day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.