1
When Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees suddenly came upon them.

2
They were greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is a resurrection from the dead.

3
They seized them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

4
But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5
On the next day the rulers of the Jews, together with the elders and the scribes, gathered in Jerusalem

6
with Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all the others who were of the high-priestly family.

7
Then Peter and John were brought before them and began to be questioned with this: “By what power or in whose name have you done this?”

8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them: “Rulers of the people and elders,

9
if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man, and are being asked by what means he has been healed,

10
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead — by him this man stands before you well.

11
Jesus is the stone that was rejected by the builders — that is, by you —
yet he has become the cornerstone.

12
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed; and they recognized them as followers of Jesus.

14
But seeing the man who had been healed standing beside the two apostles, they had nothing to say in reply.

15
And after they had ordered the apostles to leave the council chamber, they conferred among themselves,

16
and said, “What shall we do with these men? For it is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been performed through them, and we cannot deny it.

17
But so that it may not spread further among the people, let us warn them and forbid them to speak any more to anyone in that name.”

18
And after they had been commanded to go out, they were ordered not to speak at all or teach any more in the name of Jesus.

19
But Peter and John answered them, “You yourselves decide whether it is right before God to listen to you rather than to God.

20
For we cannot but speak of the things we have seen and heard.”

21
They threatened the apostles even more severely, but in the end they let them go, because the council found no way to punish them, for fear of the people, who were glorifying the name of God because of what had happened.

22
For the man who had been healed by the miracle was more than forty years old.

23
After they were released, Peter and John went to their companions, and they reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24
When their companions heard it, they lifted their voices together to God, saying: “Lord, You are the One who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.

25
And by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant David, our father, You said:
Why did the nations rage, and the peoples devise vain things?

26
The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against His Anointed.

27
For truly in this city there were gathered together Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the nations and the peoples of Israel, against Jesus, Your holy Servant, whom You anointed,

28
to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose had determined beforehand to take place.

29
And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to Your servants boldness to proclaim Your word.

30
Stretch out Your hand to heal, and grant that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Jesus, Your holy Servant.”

31
And when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

32
Now the multitude of those who had believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them said that anything belonging to him was his own, but they had all things in common.

33
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

34
For there was not a needy person among them; for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the sales

35
and they laid it at the apostles’ feet; and it was distributed to each one according to his need.

36
And so it was with Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas, which means son of encouragement, a Levite from Cyprus.

37
He sold a field that belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

📖 Acts 4 – Boldness in Proclaiming Jesus amid Persecution

🧾 Summary of Acts 4

Acts 4 tells of:

The arrest of Peter and John because they healed a lame man and proclaimed Jesus
The hearing before the Sanhedrin against them
Their boldness in proclaiming the gospel
The response of the congregation in prayer and fellowship

1. Peter and John Arrested (verses 1–4)

After healing the lame man (Acts 3), Peter and John spoke to the crowd.
The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees were displeased because they were proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.
They were arrested and put in prison until the next day.
Yet the result was: about 5,000 people believed in Christ because of their message.

2. The Hearing before the Sanhedrin (verses 5–12)

The next day, they were tried before the High Priest Annas, Caiaphas, and the religious leaders.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared that the lame man had been healed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, but whom God raised from the dead.
He said firmly:

“And there is salvation in no one else, for under heaven there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved.”
(Acts 4:12)

3. The Religious Leaders Are Puzzled and Forbid Proclaiming Jesus (verses 13–22)

They were astonished to see the boldness of Peter and John, especially since they were ordinary, uneducated men.
Since they could not deny the miracle, they could only threaten them and forbid them to speak about Jesus again.
But Peter answered:

“We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
(Acts 4:20)

At last they were released because the people were glorifying God over the healing of the lame man.

4. Prayer and Unity of the Church (verses 23–31)

After being released, they returned to the church and told everything.
The church prayed together with one heart, asking for boldness to proclaim the word of the Lord.
After their prayer, the place was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and continued to proclaim the word boldly.

5. The United Life of the Church (verses 32–37)

All the believers were of one heart and soul, and did not regard their possessions as their own.
They shared everything equally.
Barnabas is mentioned especially as one who sold his field and brought the proceeds to the apostles.

📘 Main Lessons from Acts 4

Proclaiming Jesus can bring opposition, but we must remain faithful and courageous.
The power of the Holy Spirit gives boldness even to ordinary people like Peter and John.
Salvation is only in the name of Jesus, not through any other way or person.
When persecution comes, prayer together and the unity of the church become the main strength.
The true church lives in love, fellowship, and care for one another.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of Acts 4

Spiritual courage does not depend on education or social status, but on the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Even when human beings forbid it, obedience to God must come first.
A strong church is not one that is free from problems, but one that is united in prayer and love amid hardship.
This story reminds us to remain witnesses of Christ, even when the world rejects us.