Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're
taking this journey together to read the Bible
in a year. Today's reading is from the book of
Acts, chapters 3 through 5. Chapter 3 Now Peter
and John went up together to the temple at the
hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain
man lame from his mother's womb was carried,
whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple,
which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those
who entered the temple. who, seeing Peter and
John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
And fixing his eyes on him with John, Peter said,
Look at us. So he gave them his attention, expecting
to receive something from them. Then Peter said,
Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do
have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him
by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately
his feet and ankle bones received strength. So
he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered
the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising
God. And all the people saw him walking and praising
God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging
alms at the beautiful gate of the temple. And
they were filled with wonder and amazement at
what had happened to him. Now as the lame man
who was healed held on to Peter and John, all
the people ran together to them in the porch,
which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. So
when Peter saw it, he responded to the people,
Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or
why look so intently at us, as though by our
own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God
of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus.
whom you delivered up and denied in the presence
of Pilate, when he was determined to let him
go. But you denied the Holy One and the just,
and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
and killed the Prince of Life, whom God raised
from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And
his name, through faith in his name, has made
this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes,
the faith which comes through him. has given
him this perfect soundness in the presence of
you all. Yet now, brethren, I know that you did
it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But
those things which God foretold by the mouth
of all his prophets, that the Christ would suffer,
he has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out,
so that times of refreshing may come from the
presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus
Christ, who was preached to you before, whom
heaven must receive until the times of restoration
of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth
of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said to the fathers, The Lord
your God will raise up for you a prophet like
me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in
all things whatever he says to you. And it shall
be that every soul who will not hear that prophet
shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those
who follow, as many as have spoken, have also
foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets
and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,
saying to Abraham, and in your seed all the families
of the earth shall be blessed. To you first God,
having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him
to bless you, in turning away every one of you
from your iniquities. Chapter 4 Now as they spoke
to the people, the priests, the captain of the
temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being
greatly disturbed that they taught the people
and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the
dead. And they laid hands on them and put them
in custody until the next day, for it was already
evening. However, many of those who heard the
word believed, and the number of the men came
to be about five thousand. And it came to pass
on the next day that the rulers, elders, and
scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas,
John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the
family of the high priest, were gathered together
at Jerusalem. And when they had said them in
the midst, they asked, By what power or by what
name have you done this? Then Peter, filled with
the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the
people and elders of Israel, If we this day are
judged for a good deed done to a helpless man,
by what means he has been made well, let it be
known to you all and to all the people of Israel.
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the
dead, by him this man stands here before you
whole. This is the stone which was rejected by
you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there
is no other name under heaven given among men
by which we must be saved. Now when they saw
the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men,
they marveled, and they realized that they had
been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been
healed standing with them, they could say nothing
against it. But when they had commanded them
to go aside out of the council, they conferred
among themselves, saying, What shall we do to
these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle
has been done through them is evident to all
who dwell in Jerusalem. and we cannot deny it.
But so that it spreads no further among the people,
let us severely threaten them, that from now
on they speak to no man in this name. So they
called them and commanded them not to speak at
all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter
and John answered and said to them, Whether it
is right in the sight of God to listen to you
more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but
speak the things which we have seen and heard.
So when they had further threatened them, They
let them go, finding no way of punishing them,
because of the people, since they all glorified
God for what had been done. For the man was over
forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing
had been performed. And being let go, they went
to their own companions and reported all that
the chief priests and elders had said to them.
So when they heard that, they raised their voice
to God with one accord and said, Lord, you are
God, who made heaven and earth and the sea. and
all that is in them, who by the mouth of your
servant David have said, Why did the nations
rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings
of the earth took their stand, and the rulers
were gathered together against the Lord and against
his Christ. For truly against your holy servant
Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius
Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
were gathered together to do whatever your hand
and your purpose determined before to be done.
Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant your
servants that with all boldness they may speak
your word, by stretching out your hand to heal,
and that signs and wonders may be done through
the name of your holy servant, Jesus. And when
they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken, and they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word
of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those
who believed were of one heart and one soul.
Neither did anyone say that any of the things
he possessed was his own, but they had all things
in common. And with great power the apostles
gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus. And great grace was upon them all, nor
was there anyone among them who lacked. For all
who were possessors of lands or houses sold them,
Chapter 5 But a certain man named Ananias, with
Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. But he
kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also
being aware of it, and brought a certain part
and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter
said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart
to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part
of the price of the land for yourself? While
it remained, was it not your own? And after it
was sold, was it not in your own control? Why
have you conceived this thing in your heart?
You have not lied to men, but to God. Then Ananias,
hearing these words, fell down and breathed his
last. So great fear came upon all those who heard
these things. And a young man arose and wrapped
him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now
it was about three hours later when his wife
came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter
answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land
for so much. She said, Yes, for so much. Then
Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed
together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look,
the feet of those who have buried your husband
are at the door, and they will carry you out.
Then immediately she fell down at his feet and
breathed her last. And a young man came in and
found her dead, and carrying her out, buried
her by her husband. So great fear came upon all
the church, and upon all who heard these things.
And through the hands of the apostles many signs
and wonders were done among the people, and they
were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the
people esteemed them highly. And believers were
increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of
both men and women, so that they brought the
sick out into the streets and laid them on beds
and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter
passing by might fall on some of them. Also a
multitude gathered from the surrounding cities
to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those
who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they
were all healed. Then the high priest rose up
and all those who were with him, which is the
sect of the Sadducees, and they were filled with
indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles
and put them in a common prison. But at night
an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors
and brought them out and said, Go stand in the
temple. and speak to the people all the words
of this life. And when they heard that, they
entered the temple early in the morning and taught.
But the high priest and those with him came and
called the council together with all the elders
of the children of Israel and sent to the prison
to have them brought. But when the officers came
and did not find them in the prison, they returned
and reported, saying, Indeed, we found the prison
shut securely and the guards standing outside
before the doors. But when we opened them, we
found no one inside. Now when the high priest,
the captain of the temple, and the chief priests
heard these things, they wondered what the outcome
would be. So one came and told them, saying,
Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing
in the temple and teaching the people. Then the
captain went with the officers and brought them
without violence, for they feared the people,
lest they should be stoned. And when they had
brought them, they set them before the council.
And the high priest asked them, saying, Did we
not strictly command you not to teach in this
name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with
your doctrine and intend to bring this man's
blood on us. But Peter and the other apostles
answered and said, We ought to obey God rather
than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God
has exalted to his right hand to be prince and
savior. to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness
of sins. And we are his witnesses to these things.
And so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has
given to those who obey him. When they heard
this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee
named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in
respect by all the people, and commanded them
to put the apostles outside for a little while.
And he said to them, Men of Israel, Take heed
to yourselves what you intend to do regarding
these men. For some time ago, Judas rose up claiming
to be somebody. A number of men, about 400, joined
him. He was slain and all who obeyed him were
scattered and came to nothing. After this man,
Judas of Galilee, rose up in the days of the
census and drew away many people after him. He
also perished and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
And now I say to you, Keep away from these men
and let them alone. For if this plan or this
work is of men, it will come to nothing. But
if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest
you even be found to fight against God. And they
agreed with him. And when they had called for
the apostles and beaten them, they commanded
that they should not speak in the name of Jesus
and let them go. So they departed from the presence
of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily
in the temple and in every house they did not
cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
I hope you enjoyed today's reading as much as
I did and I look forward to seeing you again
tomorrow to continue on our journey. God bless
you and have a great day.