Acts 1-5

New American Standard Bible 1995

Introduction

1 The first account I ^[a]composed, ^(A)Theophilus, about all that Jesus ^(B)began to do and teach, ² until the day when He ^(C)was taken up to heaven, after He ^(D)had ^[b]by the Holy Spirit given orders to ^(E)the apostles whom He had ^(F)chosen. ³ To ^[c]these ^(G)He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of ^(H)the things concerning the kingdom of God. ^4 [d]Gathering them together, He commanded them ^(I)not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for ^[e](J)what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; ⁵ for ^(K)John baptized with water, but you will be baptized ^[f]with the Holy Spirit ^[g](L)not many days from now.”

⁶ So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, ^(M)is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which ^(N)the Father has fixed by His own authority; ⁸ but you will receive power ^(O)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^(P)My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and ^(Q)Samaria, and even to ^(R)the remotest part of the earth.”

The Ascension

⁹ And after He had said these things, ^(S)He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And as they were gazing intently into ^[h]the sky while He was going, behold, ^(T)two men in white clothing stood beside them. ¹¹ They also said, “^(U)Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into ^[i]the sky? This Jesus, who ^(V)has been taken up from you into heaven, will ^(W)come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

The Upper Room

¹² Then they ^(X)returned to Jerusalem from the ^[j](Y)mount called ^[k]Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a ^[l]Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they had entered the city, they went up to ^(Z)the upper room where they were staying; ^(AA)that is, Peter and John and ^[m]James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, ^[n]James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and ^(AB)Judas the ^[o]son of ^[p]James. ¹⁴ These all with one mind ^(AC)were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with ^(AD)the women, and Mary the ^(AE)mother of Jesus, and with His ^(AF)brothers.

^15 [q]At this time Peter stood up in the midst of ^(AG)the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty ^[r]persons was there together), and said, ¹⁶ “Brethren, ^(AH)the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, ^(AI)who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ For he was ^(AJ)counted among us and received his share in ^(AK)this ministry.” ¹⁸ (Now this man ^(AL)acquired a field with ^(AM)the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in ^(AN)their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰ “For it is written in the book of Psalms,

and,

²¹ Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that ^(AQ)the Lord Jesus went in and out ^[t]among us— ^22 (AR)beginning ^[u]with the baptism of John until the day that He ^(AS)was taken up from us—one of these must become a ^(AT)witness with us of His resurrection.” ²³ So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and ^(AU)Matthias. ²⁴ And they ^(AV)prayed and said, “You, Lord, ^(AW)who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to ^[v]occupy ^(AX)this ministry and ^(AY)apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they ^[w](AZ)drew lots for them, and the lot fell ^[x]to ^(BA)Matthias; and he was ^[y]added to ^(BB)the eleven apostles.

The Day of Pentecost

2 When ^(BC)the day of Pentecost ^[z]had come, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled ^(BD)the whole house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared to them tongues as of fire ^[aa]distributing themselves, and ^[ab]they ^[ac]rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all ^(BE)filled with the Holy Spirit and began to ^(BF)speak with other ^[ad]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them ^[ae]utterance.

⁵ Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, ^(BG)devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when ^(BH)this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own ^[af]language. ^7 (BI)They were amazed and astonished, saying, “^[ag]Why, are not all these who are speaking ^(BJ)Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we each hear them in our own ^[ah]language ^[ai]to which we were born? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and ^(BK)Cappadocia, ^(BL)Pontus and ^[aj](BM)Asia, ^10 (BN)Phrygia and ^(BO)Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around ^(BP)Cyrene, and ^[ak](BQ)visitors from Rome, both Jews and ^[al](BR)proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” ¹² And ^(BS)they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others were mocking and saying, “^(BT)They are full of ^[am]sweet wine.”

Peter’s Sermon

¹⁴ But Peter, ^[an]taking his stand with ^(BU)the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. ¹⁵ For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, ^(BV)for it is only the ^[ao]third hour of the day; ¹⁶ but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

²² “Men of Israel, listen to these words: ^(BY)Jesus the Nazarene, ^(BZ)a man ^[aq]attested to you by God with ^[ar]miracles and ^(CA)wonders and ^[as]signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— ²³ this Man, delivered over by the ^(CB)predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, ^(CC)you nailed to a cross by the hands of ^[at]godless men and put Him to death. ^24 [au]But ^(CD)God raised Him up again, putting an end to the ^[av]agony of death, since it ^(CE)was impossible for Him to be held ^[aw]in its power. ²⁵ For David says of Him,

²⁹ “^[ba]Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the ^(CI)patriarch David that he both ^(CJ)died and ^(CK)was buried, and ^(CL)his tomb is ^[bb]with us to this day. ³⁰ And so, because he was ^(CM)a prophet and knew that ^(CN)God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one ^[bc]of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of ^[bd]the Christ, that ^(CO)He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh ^[be]suffer decay. ³² This Jesus ^(CP)God raised up again, to which we are all ^(CQ)witnesses. ³³ Therefore having been exalted ^[bf](CR)to the right hand of God, and ^(CS)having received from the Father ^(CT)the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has ^(CU)poured forth this which you both see and hear. ³⁴ For it was not David who ascended into ^[bg]heaven, but he himself says:

³⁶ Therefore let all the ^(CW)house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both ^(CX)Lord and ^[bh]Christ—this Jesus ^(CY)whom you crucified.”

The Ingathering

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were ^[bi]pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “^[bj]Brethren, ^[bk](CZ)what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter said to them, “^(DA)Repent, and each of you be ^(DB)baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For ^(DC)the promise is for you and your children and for all who are ^(DD)far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he solemnly ^(DE)testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “^[bl]Be saved from this ^(DF)perverse generation!” ⁴¹ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand ^[bm](DG)souls. ⁴² They were ^(DH)continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to ^(DI)the breaking of bread and ^[bn](DJ)to prayer.

^43 [bo]Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many ^(DK)wonders and ^[bp]signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all those who had believed ^[bq]were together and ^(DL)had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they ^(DM)began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ^46 (DN)Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and ^(DO)breaking bread ^[br]from house to house, they were taking their ^[bs]meals together with gladness and ^[bt]sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and ^(DP)having favor with all the people. And the Lord ^(DQ)was adding ^[bu]to their number day by day ^(DR)those who were being saved.

Healing the Lame Beggar

3 Now ^(DS)Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ^[bv]ninth hour, ^(DT)the hour of prayer. ² And ^(DU)a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they ^(DV)used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, ^(DW)in order to beg ^[bw]alms of those who were entering the temple. ³ When he saw ^(DX)Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. ⁴ But Peter, along with John, ^(DY)fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” ⁵ And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: ^(DZ)In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” ⁷ And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. ^8 [bx](EA)With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And ^(EB)all the people saw him walking and praising God; ¹⁰ and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to ^(EC)sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter’s Second Sermon

¹¹ While he was clinging to ^(ED)Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called ^[by](EE)portico of Solomon, full of amazement. ¹² But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? ^13 (EF)The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, ^(EG)the God of our fathers, has glorified His ^[bz](EH)servant Jesus, the one whom ^(EI)you delivered and disowned in the presence of ^(EJ)Pilate, when he had ^(EK)decided to release Him. ¹⁴ But you disowned ^(EL)the Holy and Righteous One and ^(EM)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ but put to death the ^[ca](EN)Prince of life, the one whom ^(EO)God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are ^(EP)witnesses. ¹⁶ And on the basis of faith ^(EQ)in His name, it is ^[cb]the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

¹⁷ “And now, brethren, I know that you acted ^(ER)in ignorance, just as your ^(ES)rulers did also. ¹⁸ But the things which ^(ET)God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, ^(EU)that His ^[cc]Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Therefore ^(EV)repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that ^(EW)times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus, the ^[cd]Christ appointed for you, ^21 (EX)whom heaven must receive until the ^[ce]period of ^(EY)restoration of all things about which ^(EZ)God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. ²² Moses said, ‘^(FA)The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet ^[cf]like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed to everything He says to you. ^23 (FB)And it will be that every ^(FC)soul that does not heed that prophet ^(FD)shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ ²⁴ And likewise, ^(FE)all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. ²⁵ It is you who are ^(FF)the sons of the prophets and of the ^(FG)covenant which God ^[cg]made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘^(FH)And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ ²⁶ For you ^(FI)first, God ^(FJ)raised up His ^[ch]Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Arrested

4 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and ^(FK)the captain of the temple guard and ^(FL)the Sadducees ^(FM)came up to them, ² being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming ^[ci](FN)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them and ^(FO)put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the ^[cj]message believed; and ^(FP)the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day, their ^(FQ)rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; ⁶ and ^(FR)Annas the high priest was there, and ^(FS)Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. ⁷ When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” ⁸ Then Peter, ^[ck](FT)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “^[cl](FU)Rulers and elders of the people, ⁹ if we are ^[cm]on trial today for ^(FV)a benefit done to a sick man, ^[cn]as to how this man has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that ^[co](FW)by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom ^(FX)God raised from the dead—^[cp]by ^[cq]this name this man stands here before you in good health. ^11 [cr](FY)He is the ^(FZ)stone which was ^(GA)rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. ¹² And there is salvation in ^(GB)no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

¹³ Now as they observed the ^(GC)confidence of ^(GD)Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and ^(GE)began to recognize them ^[cs]as having been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. ¹⁵ But when they had ordered them to leave the ^[ct](GF)Council, they began to confer with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “^(GG)What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a ^(GH)noteworthy ^[cu]miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man ^(GI)in this name.” ¹⁸ And when they had summoned them, they ^(GJ)commanded them not to speak or teach at all ^[cv]in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But ^(GK)Peter and John answered and said to them, “^(GL)Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; ²⁰ for ^(GM)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) ^(GN)on account of the people, because they were all ^(GO)glorifying God for what had happened; ²² for the man was more than forty years old on whom this ^[cw]miracle of healing had been performed.

²³ When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O ^[cx]Lord, it is You who ^(GP)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who ^(GQ)by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

²⁷ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy ^[db](GU)servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both ^(GV)Herod and ^(GW)Pontius Pilate, along with ^(GX)the ^[dc]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and ^(GY)Your purpose predestined to occur. ²⁹ And ^[dd]now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may ^(GZ)speak Your word with all ^(HA)confidence, ³⁰ while You extend Your hand to heal, and ^[de](HB)signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy ^[df](HC)servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, the ^(HD)place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all ^(HE)filled with the Holy Spirit and began to ^(HF)speak the word of God with ^(HG)boldness.

Sharing among Believers

³² And the ^[dg]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them ^[dh]claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but ^(HH)all things were common property to them. ³³ And ^(HI)with great power the apostles were giving ^(HJ)testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. ³⁴ For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses ^(HK)would sell them and bring the ^[di]proceeds of the sales ³⁵ and ^(HL)lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be ^(HM)distributed to each as any had need.

³⁶ Now Joseph, a Levite of ^(HN)Cyprian birth, who was also called ^(HO)Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of ^[dj](HP)Encouragement), ³⁷ and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and ^(HQ)laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and ^(HR)kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s ^[dk]full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he ^(HS)laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^(HT)Satan filled your heart to lie ^(HU)to the Holy Spirit and to ^(HV)keep back some of the price of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not ^[dl]under your control? Why is it that you have ^[dm]conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but ^(HW)to God.” ⁵ And as he heard these words, Ananias ^(HX)fell down and breathed his last; and ^(HY)great fear came over all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men got up and ^(HZ)covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

⁷ Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land ^[dn](IA)for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, ^[do]that was the price.” ⁹ Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to ^(IB)put ^(IC)the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” ¹⁰ And immediately she ^(ID)fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ And ^(IE)great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

^12 [dp]At the hands of the apostles many ^(IF)signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in ^(IG)Solomon’s portico. ¹³ But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, ^(IH)the people held them in high esteem. ¹⁴ And all the more ^(II)believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly ^(IJ)added to their number, ¹⁵ to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by ^(IK)at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. ¹⁶ Also the ^[dq]people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick ^[dr]or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Imprisonment and Release

¹⁷ But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is ^(IL)the sect of ^(IM)the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They laid hands on the apostles and ^(IN)put them in a public jail. ¹⁹ But during the night ^(IO)an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, ²⁰ “Go, stand and ^[ds]speak to the people in the temple ^[dt](IP)the whole message of this Life.” ²¹ Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple ^(IQ)about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when ^(IR)the high priest and his associates came, they called ^(IS)the ^[du]Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. ²² But ^(IT)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, ²³ saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” ²⁴ Now when ^(IU)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what ^[dv]would come of this. ²⁵ But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” ²⁶ Then ^(IV)the captain went along with ^(IW)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for ^(IX)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

²⁷ When they had brought them, they stood them ^[dw]before ^(IY)the Council. The high priest questioned them, ²⁸ saying, “We gave you ^(IZ)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and ^[dx]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and ^(JA)intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “^(JB)We must obey God rather than men. ^30 (JC)The God of our fathers ^(JD)raised up Jesus, ^[dy]whom you had ^(JE)put to death by hanging Him on a ^[dz]cross. ^31 (JF)He is the one whom God exalted ^[ea]to His right hand as a ^[eb](JG)Prince and a ^(JH)Savior, to grant ^(JI)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are ^(JJ)witnesses ^[ec]of these things; and ^(JK)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

³³ But when they heard this, they were ^(JL)cut ^[ed]to the quick and intended to kill them. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named ^(JM)Gamaliel, a ^(JN)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in ^(JO)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵ And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, ^(JP)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. ^[ee]But he was killed, and all who ^[ef]followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of ^(JQ)the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who ^[eg]followed him were scattered. ³⁸ So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or ^[eh]action ^(JR)is of men, it will be overthrown; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found ^(JS)fighting against God.”

⁴⁰ They ^[ei]took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they ^(JT)flogged them and ordered them not to ^[ej]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. ⁴¹ So they went on their way from the presence of the ^[ek](JU)Council, ^(JV)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame ^(JW)for His name. ^42 (JX)And every day, in the temple and ^[el]from house to house, they ^[em]kept right on teaching and ^[en](JY)preaching Jesus as the ^[eo]Christ.