Study Desk

He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. "People of Israel," he said, "what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?

For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate's decision to release him.

For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.

When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways."

The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.'

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.

He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife's consent, he kept the rest.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them.

"We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man's name!" he said. "Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!"

Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.

Then he said to his colleagues, "Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men!

Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing.

After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel's.

So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.