Acts 4: Bold Before the Council

Peter and John were arrested for teaching that Jesus rose from the dead, yet about five thousand men believed. Before the council Peter said the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ, and that there is salvation in no other name. Ordered to stop, they said they could not help telling what they had seen and heard. The believers prayed for boldness, the place was shaken, and they shared everything they had.

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World English Bible · 37 verses

¹ As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Acts 4 · Preschool

Telling About Jesus

Name Date

Color the apostles telling people that Jesus is alive.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.”

Acts 4:33 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Acts 4 shows Peter and John telling about Jesus even when it was hard. Pray with your child for courage to talk about Jesus (Acts 4:33).

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Acts 4 · Grade 4

Whom Should We Obey?

Name Date

Read and Think

The priests and Sadducees were upset that Peter and John taught that Jesus rose. They put them in custody until the next day. But many believed, and the number of men came to about five thousand.

The next day the council asked, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom God raised from the dead (Acts 4:10). He called Jesus the stone the builders rejected, now the head of the corner. He said there is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

The council saw their boldness and knew they had been with Jesus. The healed man stood with them, so they could say nothing against it. They told them not to teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John asked whether it was right to listen to the council rather than to God.

Back with their friends, the believers prayed that God would give them boldness. The place was shaken, and they spoke the word of God boldly. They shared their goods. Barnabas sold a field and brought the money to the apostles.

Show What You Know

What did the council ask Peter and John?
What did Peter call Jesus?
Why could the council say nothing against the healing?
What did Barnabas do?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

GodJesusnameJohn

The priests and Sadducees were upset that Peter and John taught that rose.
He said there is no other by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Peter and asked whether it was right to listen to the council rather than to God.
Back with their friends, the believers prayed that would give them boldness.

Think About It

The council noticed that Peter and John had been with Jesus. What might people notice about you when you spend time with Jesus?
The believers prayed for boldness, not for safety. What would you ask God for if you felt afraid to speak?

Memory Verse

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

Acts 4:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the lesson of Bold Before the Council. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What did Peter and John say when told to stop?
How did the believers care for each other's needs?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Acts 4 · Grade 5

Boldness and One Heart

Name Date

Read and Think

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.

Show What You Know

Why were the priests and Sadducees upset?
What did the council recognize about Peter and John?
Which psalm did the believers quote in their prayer?
Where was Barnabas from, and what did he do?

Crossword

Across

Were gathered ____ against your holy servant Jesus.
That in the ____ of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Down

For everyone glorified God for that which was ____.
With the Gentiles and the ____ of Israel.
They recognized that they had been with ____.

Think About It

Peter and John said they could not help telling what they had seen and heard. What has God done in your life that you could tell someone about?
The believers were of one heart and soul and shared what they owned. How could your church family show that kind of unity?

Memory Verse

“When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

Acts 4:31 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the lesson of Bold Before the Council. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How could praying Scripture change the way you pray?
What does it mean to be of one heart and soul?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Acts 4: Bold Before the Council

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Worksheets

Telling About Jesus

Prayer

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Brave Helpers

Trace the Words

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Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

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Brave Helpers

Trace the Words

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Prayer

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We Can't Stop Telling

Read the Story

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Word Search

Prayer

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No Other Name

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Bold Before the Council

Prayer

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Whom Should We Obey?

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

Boldness and One Heart

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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