Acts 4:18–33

¹⁸So they called them back in and told them that on no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John answered them, “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight—to obey you or to obey God. ²⁰For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.” ²¹So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened. ²²The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over 40 years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. ^24*When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: “Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them! ^25*By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said:

‘Why were the Gentiles furious;

why did people make their useless plots?

^26*The kings of the earth prepared themselves,

and the rulers met together

against the Lord and his Messiah.’

^27*For indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together in this city with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Jesus, your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah. ²⁸They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen. ²⁹And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. ³⁰Stretch out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

³¹When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

^32*The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. ³³With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.