Boldness and One Heart

While Peter and John spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them. They were upset that the apostles proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. They were held overnight. Yet many who heard believed, and the men numbered about five thousand.

The rulers, elders, and scribes gathered with the high priest's family. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said the good deed done to a sick man was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom God raised from the dead (Acts 4:10). Quoting a psalm, he named Jesus the rejected stone that became the head of the corner, and said there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12).

The council marveled at the boldness of untrained men. They recognized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). The healed man stood there, so they could only threaten them. They forbade all teaching in that name. Peter and John replied that the council must judge whether it is right to listen to them rather than to God, "for we can't help telling the things which we saw and heard."

Once released, they told their own company. Together they lifted their voices to God, quoting Psalm 2 about kings and rulers plotting against the Lord and his Christ (Acts 4:26). They asked not for safety but for boldness and for signs done through the name of Jesus. The place was shaken. All were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word with boldness. The multitude was of one heart and soul. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet.