Acts 5

Lying to the Holy Spirit

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part 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 keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.8 And Peter answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? She said, Yes, for so much.9 Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomons Porch.13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation,18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,20 Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported,23 saying, Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.25 So one came and told them, saying, Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,28 saying, Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Mans blood on us!29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: We ought to obey God rather than men.30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.

Gamaliels Advice

33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.35 And he said to them: Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow itlest you even be found to fight against God.40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 5

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?4 While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.6 And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much.9 But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.10 And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.13 But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;14 and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women;15 insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.16 And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bring sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.17 But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,20 Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.21 And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.22 But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,23 saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.25 And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.31 Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.33 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them.34 But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.35 And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.36 For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought.37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown:39 but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.42 And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.