¶ As they spake unto the people, the priests and the ruler of the temple, and the saduces came upon them, taking grievously that they taught the people and preached in the name of Iesus the resurrection from death. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the next day. For it was now eventide. Many of them which heard the words believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.
¶ It chanced on the morrow that their rulers, and seniors, and scribes, as Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas, and Ihon and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Ierusalem, and set them in the midst, and asked by what power, or in what name have ye done this sirs? Then Peter full of the holy ghost said unto them. Ye rulers of the people, and seniors of Israhel, if we this day are examined of the good deed done to the sick man by what means he is made whole: be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israhel, that in the name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, and whom God raised from death again, this man standeth here present before you whole. This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is set in the chief place of the corner. Neither is there health in any other. Nor yet also is there any other name given to men wherein we must be saved.
¶ When they saw the boldness of Peter and Ihon, And knew that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled, and they knew them, that they were with Iesu: Seeing also the man which was healed standing with them, they could not say against it, but commanded them to go aside out of the council, And communed among themselves saying: what shall we do to these men? For a manifest sign is done by them, and is openly known to all them that dwell in Ierusalem, and we cannot deny it: But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
¶ And they called them, and commanded them that in no wise they should speak or teach in the name of Iesu. But Peter and Ihon answered unto them and said: whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you more than God judge ye. For we cannot but speak that which we have seen and heard. So threatened they them and let them go, And found no thing how to punish them, because of the people: For all men lauded God for the miracle which was done. For the man was above forty year old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
¶ As soon as they were let go they came to their fellows, and shewed all that the high priests and seniors had said. When they heard that, with one mind they lift up their voices to God and said: Lord, thou art God which hast made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said: Why did the heathen grudge, and the people imagine vain things. The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers came together against the Lord, And against his Christ.
¶ For of a truth against thy holy child Iesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate with the gentiles, and the people of Israhel, gathered themselves to gether for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now Lord behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all confidence to speak thy word. So that thou stretch forth thy hand that healing, and signs, and wonders be done by the name of thy holy child Iesus. And as soon as they had prayed, the place moved where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.
¶ The multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, And of one soul. Also none of them said, that any thing of those which he possessed was his own: But had all things common. And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Iesu. And great grace was with them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the Apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
¶ And Ioses which was also called of the Apostles Barnabas (that is to say the son of consolation, being a Levite, and of the country of Cipers) had land, and sold it, and laid the price down at the Apostles' feet.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526