Peter

14Then Peter stood up with the eleven other apostles. Peter spoke out loud: "Men of Judea, and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me. I want you to understand what is happening."

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

NoteJudea was the land all around Jerusalem. Apostles were the men Jesus chose to lead.

15"These men are not drunk, as you think. It is only nine o'clock in the morning."

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

NotePeople counted the hours from sunrise, not from midnight. So the third hour was about nine in the morning. Nobody drank wine that early in the day.

16"This is what God said long ago through the prophet Joel."

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

NoteJoel wrote God's words down in a book. He lived hundreds of years before Peter stood up to speak. A prophet told people what God said.

17"God says: In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will speak my words. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will have dreams."

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Note"Pour out" is like pouring water from a jug. It means God gives his Spirit freely to many people. A vision is a picture God shows someone who is awake.

18"In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants, both men and women. And they will speak my words."

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

NoteServants worked in other people's houses. They owned very little and had little say in things.

19"I will show wonders in the sky above. I will show signs on the earth below. There will be blood, and fire, and thick smoke."

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20"The sun will turn dark. The moon will turn red like blood. All this comes before the great and shining day of the Lord."

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

NoteThe "day of the Lord" means a special day. It is the day God comes to set things right. The King James word "notable" means famous and grand.

21"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

NoteTo be "saved" means to be rescued and kept safe.

22"Men of Israel, listen to me. God showed you that Jesus of Nazareth came from him. God did miracles, wonders, and signs through Jesus, right in front of you. You know this is true."

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. A miracle is something only God can do. A sign is a wonder that shows people something true.

23"Jesus was handed over. God knew this would happen, and he had planned it. You took him. Through the hands of wicked men, you nailed him to a cross and killed him."

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

NoteA cross was a tall wooden post used for killing people. The Roman rulers killed people that way, outside where all could watch.

24"But God raised Jesus back to life. God set him free from the pain of death. Death could not keep its hold on him."

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25"David wrote about Jesus. He said, 'I always saw the Lord in front of me. He is right beside me, so I will not be shaken.'"

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

NoteDavid was a king of Israel long, long ago. He wrote many of the songs and prayers in the Bible. Sitting at someone's right side was the best place of honor.

26"'So my heart is happy and my words are glad. My body will rest, still full of hope.'"

Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27"'You will not leave me in the place of the dead. You will not let your Holy One rot in the grave.'"

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

NoteThe King James says "hell" here. It means the place where dead people go. "See corruption" means a dead body rotting away.

28"'You have shown me the paths that lead to life. Being close to you will fill me with joy.'"

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29"Brothers, I can say this plainly. David, the father of our people, died and was buried. His grave is still here today."

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

NoteThe King James calls David a "patriarch." That means a father of a whole people. David lived about a thousand years before Peter.

30"David was a prophet. God had made him a solemn promise. One of David's own family would sit on his throne. That one would be the Christ, God's chosen king."

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Note"Christ" means the chosen king God had promised to send. The King James says "the fruit of his loins." That means a child born later in his family.

31"David saw this ahead of time. He spoke about the Christ coming back to life. The Christ was not left in the place of the dead. His body did not rot in the grave."

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32"God raised this same Jesus back to life. We all saw it, and we tell you it is true."

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33"God lifted Jesus up to the place of honor at his right side. The Father gave Jesus the Holy Spirit he had promised. Jesus has poured that Spirit out. That is what you see and hear right now."

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34"David did not go up into heaven. But David himself said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right side,'"

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35"'until I put your enemies under your feet, like a stool.'"

Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

NoteA footstool is a low stool for resting your feet on. A winning king would put his foot on a beaten enemy.

36"So everyone in Israel should know this for sure. God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ. He is the one you nailed to the cross."

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Note"Lord" means master, the one who is in charge.

37When the people heard this, it hurt deep in their hearts. They said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38Peter told them, "Turn away from your sins. Every one of you, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

NoteTo be baptized is to be dipped under water. It shows that a person is starting fresh with God.

39"This promise is for you and for your children. It is also for everyone far away. It is for all the people the Lord our God calls."

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40Peter said much more to warn them and urge them on. He said, "Save yourselves from the crooked people of this time."

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41Many people were glad to believe what Peter said. They were baptized. About three thousand people joined the group that day.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

NoteThe King James says "three thousand souls." Here "souls" simply means people.

1Peter and John went up to the temple to pray. It was three in the afternoon.

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

NoteThe temple was God's special house in Jerusalem. People went there to pray to God. Each day there were set times when everyone prayed together. Three in the afternoon was one of those times.

2A man there had never been able to walk. He was born that way. Every day people carried him to a temple gate called Beautiful. There he asked people for money.

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 of them that entered into the temple;

NoteThis man could not walk, so he could not work for money. People who could not work had to ask others to give them some. Friends carried him to the same gate every day. It was called Beautiful because it was so lovely to look at.

3He saw Peter and John about to go in. He asked them for money.

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4Peter looked right at him, and John did too. Peter said, "Look at us!"

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5So the man looked at them. He thought they were going to give him something.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6Peter said, "I have no silver or gold. But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. Doing something "in the name of Jesus" means doing it with his power. Peter was not making the man well by himself.

7Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up. Right away his feet and ankles grew strong.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8He jumped up and stood on his feet. Then he walked into the temple with them. He walked and jumped and thanked God out loud.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9All the people saw him walking and thanking God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10They knew he was the man who used to beg at the Beautiful Gate. They were full of wonder at what had happened to him.

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11The healed man stayed close to Peter and John. All the people were amazed. They ran to them in the covered walkway called Solomon's Porch.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

NoteSolomon's Porch was a long covered walkway along the edge of the temple. People stood there to talk and to listen to teachers. Solomon was a king long ago who built the first temple.

12Peter saw this and said to them, "Men of Israel, why are you surprised? Why do you stare at us? We did not make this man walk by our own power or goodness."

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

NoteIsrael was another name for God's people, the Jews. Peter was speaking to a crowd of them at the temple.

13"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has honored his servant Jesus. You handed Jesus over and said you did not want him. You did this in front of Pilate, even though he wanted to let Jesus go."

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

NoteAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived hundreds of years before this. All of God's people came from their family. In Peter's day, Rome ruled the land, and Pilate was the Roman leader in charge.

14"You said no to the Holy and Good One. You asked for a killer to be set free instead."

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

NotePilate had let the crowd pick one prisoner to go free. They picked a man who had killed someone, and not Jesus.

15"You killed the one who gives life. But God raised him from the dead. We saw it, and we are telling you it is true."

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16"The name of Jesus made this man strong. You see him and you know him. Trusting in Jesus made him completely well, right in front of you all."

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17"Now, my brothers, I know you did not understand what you were doing. Your leaders did not understand either."

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18"Long ago God spoke through all his prophets. God said his chosen King would suffer. That is just what happened."

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

NoteGod's people were waiting for a special King that God had promised to send. "Christ" is the word for that promised King. Peter is telling them that Jesus is the one. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

19"So be sorry for your sins and turn back to God. Then your sins will be wiped away. Times of rest will come from the Lord."

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

NoteSins are the wrong things people do. "Wiped away" is like wiping writing off a board. God takes the wrong away and does not count it anymore.

20"And God will send you Jesus, the King he chose. He is the one you were told about before."

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21"Jesus must stay in heaven until the time comes to make everything right again. God said this long ago through his holy prophets."

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22"Moses told our fathers, 'The Lord your God will send you a prophet like me. He will come from among your own people. Listen to everything he tells you.'"

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

NoteMoses led God's people out of Egypt long, long before this. God gave his rules to the people through Moses.

23"'Anyone who will not listen to that prophet will be cut off from God's people.'"

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

NoteTo be "cut off" means to be no longer part of God's people. It is like being left out of the family.

24"Samuel and all the prophets after him spoke about these days too."

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

NoteSamuel was a prophet who lived hundreds of years before Jesus. He spoke for God and chose Israel's first kings.

25"You belong to the family of the prophets. You also belong to the promise God made with our fathers. God told Abraham, 'Through your family, every family on earth will be blessed.'"

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

NoteA promise like this one was very serious and lasted forever. Abraham was the first father of God's people, long ago. God told him that his family would bring good to the whole world.

26"God raised up his servant Jesus. He sent him to you first, to bless you. He blesses you by turning each of you away from your wrong ways."

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

1Peter and John were still talking to the people. Then the priests came up to them. The captain of the temple guards came too. So did the Sadducees.

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

NoteThe temple was the big special building in Jerusalem. People went there to worship God. Priests were the men who worked there and helped people worship. The temple had its own guards, and the captain was their leader. The Sadducees were one group of Jewish leaders.

2These leaders were very upset. Peter and John were teaching the people. They said that because of Jesus, dead people come back to life.

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

NoteThe Sadducees did not believe that dead people ever come back to life. So this news about Jesus made them angry.

3So they grabbed Peter and John. It was already evening. They locked them up until the next day.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

NoteThere were no clocks or lights like ours. When evening came, work and meetings stopped until morning.

4But many people who heard the message believed it. The number of men grew to about five thousand.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5The next day the leaders met together in Jerusalem. The older leaders came. So did the scribes.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

NoteJerusalem was the biggest city for the Jewish people. The temple was there, so the leaders met there too. The scribes were men who copied and taught God's laws.

6Annas the high priest was there. Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there too. So were many others from the high priest's family.

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

NoteThe high priest was the top leader at the temple.

7They made Peter and John stand in the middle. Then they asked them a question. "Whose power did you use? Whose name did you use to do this?"

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

NoteUsing someone's name meant acting with that person's power. The leaders wanted to know who had sent Peter and John.

8Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said, "Rulers and older leaders of the people,

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God with people, helping them. Here he helped Peter know what to say.

9you are asking us about a kind thing we did. A sick man was made well. You want to know how it happened.

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10Here is what all of you should know. All the people of Israel should know it too. This man is standing here well again. It happened by the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus on a cross to die. But God raised him back to life.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. A cross was a wooden beam. Soldiers nailed people to it to kill them. Israel was the name for the whole Jewish family of people.

11Jesus is the stone that was thrown away. You leaders are the builders who threw it away. Now that stone holds up the whole building.

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

NotePeter is saying words from an old song in the Bible. Builders used a big corner stone to hold a building up straight. It was the most important stone of all.

12No one else can save us. God has given people no other name that saves us."

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

NoteSaved here means rescued by God from sin and death.

13The leaders saw how brave Peter and John were. They knew these were plain men without special schooling. That surprised them. They also realized these men had been with Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

NoteThe old words say Peter and John were "unlearned and ignorant men." That did not mean they were silly. It meant they had not gone to special schools.

14The healed man was standing right there with them. So the leaders had nothing to say.

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15They told Peter and John to step outside the meeting room. Then the leaders talked it over.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

NoteThis meeting was like a court. The leaders sat together and decided if someone had done wrong.

16They said, "What should we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about the amazing thing they did. We cannot say it did not happen.

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

NoteA miracle is something amazing that only God can do.

17But we must stop this news from spreading. Let us warn them strongly. They must not speak to anyone in this name again."

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18So they called them back in. They ordered them never to speak or teach in Jesus' name.

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19But Peter and John answered them. "You decide what is right in God's eyes. Should we obey you instead of God?

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20We saw these things and heard them. We simply cannot stop talking about them."

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21The leaders warned them some more and then let them go. They could not find a way to punish them. All the people were thanking God for what had happened.

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22The man who was healed was more than forty years old.

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

NoteThis is the same man from chapter 3. He had never been able to walk in all those years.

1A man named Ananias sold a piece of land. He and his wife Sapphira sold it together.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2He secretly kept back part of the money. His wife knew about it. He brought the rest and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

NoteThe apostles were the leaders Jesus chose to teach about him. Laying money at their feet meant handing it over to them. They shared it with people who needed food and clothes.

3Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit. You kept back part of the money from the land."

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

NoteSatan is God's enemy. He wants people to do wrong things. The Holy Spirit is God himself, living with his people and helping them. The old words say "Holy Ghost." Ghost was just an old word for spirit.

4"Before you sold it, the land was yours. After you sold it, the money was yours too. Why did you plan this in your heart? You did not lie to people. You lied to God."

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

NoteBack then the heart meant the place inside you where you think and plan. It did not only mean feelings.

5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Everyone who heard about it was very afraid.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

NoteThe old words say he "gave up the ghost." That means he died.

6The young men got up and wrapped his body. They carried him out and buried him.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

NoteIn that place, a dead person was wrapped in cloth right away. They were buried the same day, not days later.

7About three hours later his wife came in. She did not know what had happened.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

NoteThree hours is about as long as a morning at school.

8Peter asked her, "Tell me. Did you sell the land for this much money?" She said, "Yes, for that much."

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9Peter said, "Why did you two agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the men who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too."

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

NoteTo test God meant to see if he would really notice a lie. They found out that he did.

10Right away she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11Great fear came over the whole church. Everyone who heard about this was afraid.

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

NoteThe church was not a building. It meant all the people who believed in Jesus.

12The apostles did many signs and wonders among the people. All the believers met together in Solomon's Porch. That was a covered walkway at the temple.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

NoteSigns and wonders were amazing things only God could do, like healing sick people. Solomon's Porch was a long covered walkway with tall stone posts. It ran along the edge of the temple yard, and crowds gathered there.

13No one else was brave enough to join them. But the people spoke well of them.

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

NoteThe old words say no one "durst" join them. Durst is an old way of saying dared.

14More and more people believed in the Lord. Many men and many women joined them.

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15People carried the sick out into the streets. They laid them on beds and mats. They hoped Peter's shadow would fall on some as he walked past.

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

NoteA shadow cannot really heal anyone. People just hoped that being near Peter would help.

16Crowds came from the towns around Jerusalem. They brought sick people and people troubled by evil spirits. Every one of them was healed.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

NoteEvil spirits were unseen creatures that hurt people and made them act in scary ways. The old words call them "unclean spirits."

17Then the high priest stood up, and his friends stood with him. He was the chief leader at the temple. They belonged to a group called the Sadducees. They were full of jealousy.

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

NoteThe high priest was the most important priest of all. Priests led the worship of God at the temple. The Sadducees were a group of rich temple leaders. They did not believe that dead people ever come back to life.

18They grabbed the apostles and put them in the public jail.

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

NoteThe common prison was the town jail. Anyone could be locked up there, not just important people.

19But at night an angel of the Lord opened the jail doors. He brought them out and said,

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends. Angels come from God to help people or bring news.

20"Go and stand in the temple. Tell the people the whole message about this life."

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

NoteThe temple was God's great house in Jerusalem. Around it were big open yards where crowds came to pray and listen.

21Early in the morning they went into the temple and taught the people. Meanwhile the high priest and his friends called the council together. All the leaders of Israel came to that meeting. They sent to the jail for the apostles.

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

NoteThe council was a group of about seventy leaders. They met to make rules and to decide who was guilty.

22But the officers got there and did not find them. They went back and reported,

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23"We found the jail locked up tight. The guards were standing at the doors. But when we opened it, no one was inside."

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24The high priest, the captain of the temple guards, and the chief priests heard this. They were puzzled and wondered what would happen next.

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

NoteThe captain of the temple guards was in charge of the men who kept order at the temple.

25Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are in the temple teaching the people."

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26So the captain went with his officers and brought them back. They did not use force. They were afraid the people would throw stones at them.

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

NoteThrowing stones was how angry crowds sometimes killed a person. The guards did not want that to happen to them.

27They brought the apostles in and stood them before the council. The high priest asked them questions.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28He said, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. But you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. You want to blame us for this man's death."

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Note"This man's blood upon us" meant getting the blame for someone's death. The leaders did not want to be blamed for Jesus dying.

29Peter and the other apostles answered, "We must obey God instead of people."

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus. You killed him by hanging him on a tree."

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

NoteThe old words say "hanged on a tree." That means the wooden cross Jesus was killed on.

31"God lifted Jesus to the place of honor at his right hand. God made him Prince and Savior. He did this to give Israel a turning from sin, and to forgive their sins."

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

NoteThe seat at a king's right hand was the best seat of all. It meant the highest honor. A Savior is someone who rescues people from trouble.

32"We saw these things, and we tell people about them. The Holy Spirit tells about them too. God gives the Spirit to those who obey him."

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

NoteA witness is someone who saw something happen and tells other people about it.

33When the leaders heard this, they were very angry. They talked about putting the apostles to death.

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

NoteThe old words say they were "cut to the heart." It means the words stung them and made them furious.

34Then Gamaliel stood up in the council. He was a Pharisee. He was a teacher of God's law, and everyone respected him. He gave a command. He told them to put the apostles outside for a short time.

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

NoteA teacher of the law studied God's rules and explained them to everyone. People came to him with their questions. Gamaliel was one of the most famous of these teachers. A Pharisee was part of a group that carefully kept God's rules.

35He said, "Men of Israel, be careful what you plan to do to these men."

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36"Some time ago Theudas came along. He said he was someone important. About four hundred men followed him. He was killed. His followers scattered, and nothing came of it."

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

NoteTheudas gathered men to fight the rulers. Soldiers stopped him, and his followers ran away.

37"After him came Judas from Galilee, back when people were being counted. He led many people away with him. He died too, and all his followers scattered."

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

NoteThe Romans ruled the land. Sometimes they counted every person so they could make each one pay money to Rome. People hated being counted this way.

38"So here is what I say. Stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If their plan comes from people, it will fail."

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39"But if it comes from God, you cannot stop them. You might even end up fighting against God."

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40The council agreed with him. They called the apostles in and beat them. They ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

NoteBeing beaten meant being whipped on the back. It was a punishment the leaders could order.

41The apostles left the council full of joy. God had counted them worthy to be shamed for Jesus' name.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

NoteBeing shamed meant being treated badly where everyone could see. The apostles were glad to go through it for Jesus.

42Every day they taught in the temple and in homes. They never stopped telling the good news about Jesus Christ.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

NoteChrist is a title, not a last name. It means the special king God had promised to send.

14The apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received God's word. So they sent Peter and John to the people there.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

NotePeter and John were two of Jesus' closest friends. They were leaders of the church in Jerusalem.

15Peter and John came down and prayed for the people. They asked that the people would receive the Holy Spirit.

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God himself, coming close to people to help them.

16The Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them. And they received the Holy Spirit.

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

NotePutting your hands on someone's head was a way of praying for them. It was like saying, "God's gift is for you."

18Simon saw that the Spirit came when the apostles laid their hands on people. So he offered the apostles money.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19He said, "Give me this power too. Then anyone I touch will receive the Holy Spirit."

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20But Peter said to him, "May your money be destroyed with you. You thought you could buy God's gift with money."

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

NoteMoney then was made of silver coins. The King James says "Thy money perish with thee," which means, "Let your money be destroyed along with you."

21"You have no part and no share in this work. Your heart is not right in God's sight."

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

NoteThe King James says "neither part nor lot." A lot was a stone used to share things out fairly. Peter is saying Simon gets no share at all.

22"So turn away from this wrong you have done. Pray to the Lord. Maybe he will forgive what you were thinking."

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

NoteTo repent means to turn away from something wrong and change how you live.

23"I can see that you are full of bitterness. Wrong is holding you tight, like a rope."

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

NoteThe King James says "the gall of bitterness." Gall is a taste so bitter it makes you want to spit. Peter means Simon's heart is sour inside.

24Then Simon answered, "Please pray to the Lord for me. I do not want any of this to happen to me."

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25Peter and John told what they had seen and taught the Lord's word. Then they started back to Jerusalem. On the way they told the good news in many Samaritan villages.

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.