12. Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.
13. The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain that these men had been with Jesus.
14. But they could not deny what had happened. The man who had been healed was standing there with the apostles.
15. The officials commanded them to leave the council room. Then the officials said to each other,
16. “What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we cannot say it didn't happen.
17. But to keep this thing from spreading, we will warn them never again to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus.”
18. So they called the two apostles back in and told them that they must never, for any reason, teach anything about the name of Jesus.
19. Peter and John answered, “Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him?
20. We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”
21-22. The officials could not find any reason to punish Peter and John. So they threatened them and let them go. The man who was healed by this miracle was more than forty years old, and everyone was praising God for what had happened.
23. As soon as Peter and John had been set free, they went back and told the others everything that the chief priests and the leaders had said to them.
24. When the rest of the Lord's followers heard this, they prayed together and said:Master, you created heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
25. And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say:“Why are all the Gentilesso furious?Why do peoplemake foolish plans?
26. The kings of earthprepare for war,and the rulersjoin togetheragainst the Lordand his Messiah.”
27. Here in Jerusalem, Herod and Pontius Pilate got together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Then they turned against your holy Servant Jesus, your chosen Messiah.
28. They did what you in your power and wisdom had already decided would happen.
29. Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message.
30. Show your mighty power, as we heal people and perform miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus.
31. After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.
32. The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other.