Part 6

004:037 sold a farm which he had, and brought the money and gave it to the Apostles.

005:001 There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property but,

005:002 with her full knowledge and consent, dishonestly kept back part of the price which he received for it, though he brought the rest and gave it to the Apostles.

005:003 "Ananias," said Peter, "why has Satan taken possession of your heart, that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this land?

005:004 While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God."

005:005 Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck.

005:006 The younger men, however, rose, and wrapping the body up, carried it out and buried it.

005:007 About three hours had passed, when his wife came in, knowing nothing of what had happened.

005:008 Peter at once questioned her. "Tell me," he said, "whether you sold the land for so much." "Yes," she replied, "for so much."

005:009 "How was it," replied Peter, "that you two agreed to try an experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord? The men who have buried your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you out."

005:010 Instantly she fell down dead at his feet, and the young men came in and found her dead. So they carried her out and buried her by her husband's side.

005:011 This incident struck terror into the whole Church, and into the hearts of all who heard of it.

005:012 Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles; and by common consent they all met in Solomon's Portico.

005:013 But none of the others dared to attach themselves to them. Yet the people held them in high honour--

005:014 and more and more believers in the Lord joined them, including great numbers both of men and women--

005:015 so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets and lay them on light couches or mats, in order that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or other of them.

005:016 The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.

005:017 This roused the High Priest. He and all his party--the sect of the Sadducees--were filled with angry jealousy

005:018 and laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public jail.

005:019 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

005:020 "Go and stand in the Temple, and go on proclaiming to the people all this Message of Life."

005:021 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just before daybreak, and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as all the Elders of the descendants of Israel, they sent to the jail to fetch the Apostles.

005:022 But the officers went and could not find them in the prison. So they came back and brought word,

005:023 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there."

005:024 When the Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests heard this statement, they were utterly at a loss with regard to it, wondering what would happen next.

005:025 And some one came and brought them word, saying, "The men you put in prison are actually in the Temple, standing there, teaching the people."

005:026 Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the Apostles; but without using violence; for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

005:027 So they brought them and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin. And then the High Priest questioned them.