5:1 Now there was a certain man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira who sold some property as well.

5:2 But they both conspired to present only part of the proceeds as if it were the whole amount.

5:3 Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to the point that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back part of the money you got for selling your land?

5:4 Wasn’t the land yours to dispose of in whatever way you chose? Why did you entertain such a notion? You have not lied to people but to God!”

5:5 And as Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead. Then great fear came upon all who heard about this.

5:6 The young men came in, wrapped his body, and buried him.

5:7 It just so happened that about three hours later his wife came in, unaware of what had happened.

5:8 So Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the full price you got for your land?”And she answered, “Yes, that is the amount.”

5:9 Then Peter confronted her, “Why is it that you conspired to test the Spirit of the Master? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out too!”

5:10 Instantly she fell at his feet and died. When the young men came in and saw that she too was dead, they carried her out and buried her with her husband.

5:11 And so great fear came upon the whole Congregation and on all who heard about these events.

5:12 The Ambassadors performed other signs and miracles among the people. They were in the habit of meeting in Solomon’s Portico,

5:13 but others didn’t dare to meet with them, though they held them in high esteem.

5:14 But the number of men and women putting trust in the Master multiplied.

5:15 It got to the point where people carried the infirm into the city squares and placed them on cots and mats, in the hope that Peter’s shadow would fall upon them as he went by.

5:16 A huge crowd came from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing the infirm and the demon-possessed, and they were all cured.

5:17 Now the ruling priest and his allies among the Sadducees were filled with envy,

5:18 so they went and seized the Ambassadors, placing them under arrest.

5:19 But a Messenger of the Master came during the night. Opening the jail doors and leading them out,

5:20 he said, “Go, stand in the temple compound and speak to the people all about this life.”

5:21 Upon hearing this, they entered the temple compound early in the morning and taught.Then the ruling priest and his allies got together and convened the Sanhedrin, including all the elders of Israel, and summoned for the prisoners to be brought before them.

5:22 But the deputies went out and could not find them in the jail.

5:23 So they returned and reported, “We found the prison locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them there was no one inside.”

5:24 This report perplexed the officer of the temple compound and the ruling priests, who wondered what would come of all this.

5:25 Then someone else came along and told them, “Look! The men you had put in jail are standing in the temple compound and teaching the people!”

5:26 So the commander and the deputies came forward and escorted them away, but they didn’t use force because they were afraid that the people would stone them.

5:27 So they brought them to stand in front of the Sanhedrin, and the ruling priest demanded,

5:28 “Didn’t we order you in no uncertain terms to stop teaching in this Name? But look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to lay the guilt of this man’s blood upon our heads!”

5:29 But Peter and the Ambassadors replied, “We must obey God rather than people!

5:30 It was the God of our ancestors who raised Jesus, whom you seized and hung on a cross.

5:31 God exalted him to be Ruler and Savior at his right hand, to bring Israel to a change of mind so their failures can be pardoned.

5:32 We are witnesses to these declarations, along with the Holy Spirit that God gives to those who obey him.”

5:33 Those who heard this were furious and wanted to execute them.

5:34 But a certain Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel stood up before the Sanhedrin; he was a teacher of the law who had the respect and honor of everyone. He had the accused dismissed temporarily while he addressed the group.

5:35 And he said, “People of Israel, stop and think about what you intend to do with these people.

5:36 Some time ago Theudas rose up and claimed to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. But when he was killed, all those he had won to his cause were disbanded, and it came to nothing.

5:37 After that it was Judas of Galilee, in the days of the census. He drew people to himself, was killed, and then his followers were scattered.

5:38 So I tell you this: leave these people alone and let them be. For if this plan or effort is of human origin it will be destroyed,

5:39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to destroy them; in fact, you’d be opposing God.”

5:40 His speech persuaded them. So they called in the Ambassadors, had them beaten, and ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus. Then they released them.

5:41 But the Ambassadors exited the Sanhedrin celebrating the fact that they were deemed worthy to be despised for the sake of the Name.

5:42 Day after day, in the temple compound and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and bringing the Gospel of Anointed Jesus.