Acts Chapter 4

Acts 4

Peter and John arrested in Jerusalem 

1 Moreover, as they are preaching to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees stand upon them,

2 and they felt worried on account of the people, for teaching them, even in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, from the dead;

3 and they laid hands on them, and put them into custody unto next day; for it has been evening already.

4 however, many people who heard the words believed, and the number of men became about five thousands.

Peter's defence (note: they are to defend before family of the same Apostle John)

5 Moreover, it happens upon the next day, the Rulers, their Presbyterians and the Scribes in Jerusalem, assembled together.

6 And Annas (HananiYah), the high priest, and Caiaphas, and Alexander (man defender), and as many like John that are from the kindred pertaining to the high priest.

7 they were put in the middle, and questioned: in what kind of power, or in what kind of name (authority), have you done this thing?

8 at this time, Peter who was filled with the Holy Spirit, said to the Rulers of the people and their Sahendrists, 

9 if we are being scrutinized this day upon a good-work on a feeble person, and how this fellow-man has been saved?

10 Everythings on this, are well known to you, and to all the people of Israel, that, this man before you is presented healthy, in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom you crucified and Whom God raised out of the dead.

11 this is the Stone despised under your builders, which happens to be unto the head/top most part of the corner. (Ps118:22) 

12 And, there is no salvation in any other, for there is no another name under the sky, given among men, in which we MUST be saved.

The anti-gospel verdicts against the Apostles 

13 So, by seeing the frank outspokenness of Peter and John, they marvelled because they are unschooled/illiterate men, and ignoramus, in addition, they acknowledge them, that they are occupied with things of Jesus.

14 in addition, by looking at the man, who has been ministered healing to, standing with them, they have nothing to dispute.

15 So, they order them to go outside the Council, and they consult towards one another,

16 saying, what shall we do to these men? No doubt, an open/apparent sign, indeed, has happened through them, well known to all Jerusalem dwellers, and cannot be denied.

17 But, at least, not to be spread further unto the people, they threaten them not to preach anything upon this Name to any man any longer, 

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak nor teach at all, upon the Name; Jesus.

19 However, Peter and John, answered, and tell them, to judge before God, if a righteous person will listen to you, rather than God;

20 for, we can not but preach, what we have clearly discerned and heard.

21 and they found nothing on how to punish them, on account of the people, for everybody is glorifying God upon what has happened; so, they threatened them further and dismiss them.

22 because, the man upon whom this miracle of healing happened was more than forty-years (old).

After the verdicts, comes a prayer in unison on 3 prayer points

23 having been dismissed, they come unto their own people, and they reported as much as chief-priests and the Sahendrists had said to them.

24 so, they heard and lifted up their voices unanimously and say, the Absolute RULER (Despota), YOU are God, WHO made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all that are in them,

25 YOU have spoken by the Holy Spirit, to our fathers, through the mouth of YOUR child David: why are the heathen-nations raging, and the people, imagine vain things?

26 the kings of the earth stand by and their rulers gather together against the Supreme Lord and against HIS Christ. (Ps 2:1)

27 for, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with heathen nations even in addition, the people of Israel, have gathered together upon the Truth in this city, upon Jesus YOUR Holy-Child, Whom YOU have anointed, 

28 do as much as YOUR Hand, and counsel had predetermined to happen.

29 And now, the Supreme Lord, look upon their threatening, and give your servants, the frank outspokenness to preach YOUR words amid everybody.

30 stretch forth YOUR Hand unto healing, for signs and wonders to happen through the Name of YOUR Holy-Child, Jesus.

31 And they pray, and absolutely all are filled with the Holy Spirit, even the place in which they were assembled shake, and they preach the word of God, with boldness.

First method of giving to enforce equality, by the Apostle continues

32 Moreover, the multitude who believe, were of one heart and soul, and no one claim anything under his possession to be his own, but all their things are common (shared by all)

33 And the great part is the miraculous power, by the Apostles to give out the testimony (of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus); and the greatest, is the Grace upon them for everybody.

34 because, not even anyone among them LACK; (Deut 15:4) for, as many owners of lands or houses, sell their possession, and bring the value for what has been sold,

35 and they will put it beside the feet of the Apostles, to be distributed to each person, according as anyone possibly has need.

36 Joseph also called BarNabas (son of prophecy/inspired words) by the Apostles, which is, translated, son of exhortation/encouragement (parasklesis), a Levite from Cypriot's kindred,

37 sell a piece of land under his possession, and bring the money and put toward the feet of the Apostles.