Acts:5

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* There was a man of the name of Ananias who , with his wife Sapphira , sold some property but , * with her full knowledge and consent , dishonestly kept back part of the price which he received for it , though he brought the rest and gave it to the Apostles . * »Ananias ,« said Peter , »why has Satan taken possession of your heart , that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this land ? * While it remained unsold , was not the land your own ? And when sold , was it not at your own disposal ? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart ? It is not to men you have told this lie , but to God .« * Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead , and all who heard the words were awe-struck . * The younger men , however , rose , and wrapping the body up , carried it out and buried it . * About three hours had passed , when his wife came in , knowing nothing of what had happened . * Peter at once questioned her . »Tell me ,« he said , »whether you sold the land for so much .«»Yes ,« she replied , »for so much .« * »How was it ,« replied Peter , »that you two agreed to try an experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord ? The men who have buried your husband are already at the door , and they will carry you out .« * Instantly she fell down dead at his feet , and the young men came in and found her dead . So they carried her out and buried her by her husband 's side . * This incident struck terror into the whole Church , and into the hearts of all who heard of it . * Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles ; and by common consent they all met in Solomon 's Portico . * But none of the others dared to attach themselves to them . Yet the people held them in high honour – * and more and more believers in the Lord joined them , including great numbers both of men and women – * so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets and lay them on light couches or mats , in order that when Peter came by , at least his shadow might fall on one or other of them . * The inhabitants , too , of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds , bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits , and they were cured , one and all . * This roused the High Priest . He and all his party –the sect of the Sadducees – were filled with angry jealousy * and laid hands upon the Apostles , and put them into the public jail . * But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out , and said , * »Go and stand in the Temple , and go on proclaiming to the people all this Message of Life .« * Having received that command they went into the Temple , just before daybreak , and began to teach : So when the High Priest and his party came , and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as all the Elders of the descendants of Israel , they sent to the jail to fetch the Apostles . * But the officers went and could not find them in the prison . So they came back and brought word , * saying , »The jail we found quite safely locked , and the warders were on guard at the doors , but upon going in we found no one there .« * When the Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests heard this statement , they were utterly at a loss with regard to it , wondering what would happen next . * And some one came and brought them word , saying , »The men you put in prison are actually in the Temple , standing there , teaching the people .« * Upon this the Commander went with the officers , and brought the Apostles ; but without using violence ; for they were afraid of being stoned by the people . * So they brought them and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin . And then the High Priest questioned them . * »We strictly forbad you to teach in that name –did we not ?« he said . »And see , you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching , and are trying to make us responsible for that man 's death !« * Peter and the other Apostles replied , »We must obey God rather than man . * The God of our forefathers has raised Jesus to life , whom you crucified and put to death . * God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour , to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins . * And we –and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him – are witnesses as to these things .« * Infuriated at getting this answer , they were disposed to kill the Apostles . * But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel , a teacher of the Law , held in honour by all the people , rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes . * »Israelites ,« he said , »be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men . * Years ago Theudas appeared , professing to be a person of importance , and a body of men , some four hundred in number , joined him . He was killed , and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated . * After him , at the time of the Census , came Judas , the Galilaean , and was the leader in a revolt . He too perished , and all his followers were scattered . * And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone –for if this scheme or work is of human origin , it will come to nothing . * But if it is really from God , you will be powerless to put them down –lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God .« * His advice carried conviction . So they called the Apostles in , and –after flogging them – ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus , and then let them go . * They , therefore , left the Sanhedrin and went their way , rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the NAME . * But they did not desist from teaching every day , in the Temple or in private houses , and telling the Good News about Jesus , the Christ .

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