Twentieth_Century(i)
1 While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the Chief Priest, with the Officer in charge at the Temple and the Sadducees, came up to them,
2 Much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.
3 They arrested the Apostles and, as it was already evening, had them placed in custody till the next day.
4 Many, however, of those who had heard the Apostles' Message became believers in Christ, the number of the men alone amounting to about five thousand.
5 The next day, a meeting of the leading men, the Councillors, and the Teachers of the Law was held in Jerusalem.
6 There were present Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of High-Priestly rank.
7 They had Peter and John brought before them, and questioned them. "By what power," they asked, "Or in whose name have men like you done this thing?"
8 On this, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke as follows: "Leaders of the people and Councillors,
9 Since we are on our trial to-day for a kind act done to a helpless man, and are asked in what way the man here before you has been cured,
10 Let me tell you all and all the people of Israel, that it is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead--it is, I say, by his Name that this man stands here before you lame no longer.
11 Jesus is 'the stone which, scorned by you the builders, has yet become the corner stone.'
12 And Salvation is in him alone; for there is no other Name in the whole world, given to men, to which we must look for our Salvation."
13 When the Council saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and found that they were uneducated men of humble station, they were surprised, and realized that they had been companions of Jesus.
14 But, when they looked at the man who had been healed, standing there with them, they had nothing to say.
15 So they ordered them out of court, and then began consulting together.
16 "What are we to do to these men?" they asked one another. "That a remarkable sign has been given through them is obvious to every one living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But, to prevent this thing from spreading further among the people, let us warn them not to speak in this Name any more to any one whatever."
18 So they called the Apostles in, and ordered them not to speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied: "Whether it is right, in the sight of God, to listen to you rather than to him--
20 Judge for yourselves, for we cannot help speaking of what we have seen and heard."
21 However, after further warnings, the Council set them at liberty, not seeing any safe way of punishing them, because of the people, for they were all praising God for what had occurred;