- 1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
- 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
- 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
- 4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
- 5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
- 6And 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.
- 7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
- 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
- 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
- 10Be 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.
- 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
- 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
- 13 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.
- 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
- 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
- 16Saying, 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 can not deny it.
- 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
- 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
- 19But 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.
- 20For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
- 21So 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.
- 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
- 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
- 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
- 25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
- 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
- 27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
- 28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
- 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
- 30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
- 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- 32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
- 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
- 34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
- 35And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
- 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
- 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
KING JAMES VERSION
ACTS 4
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 4 — Peter and John boldly testify that salvation is in Jesus alone, and the threatened church answers opposition with united prayer and generous love.
About this illustration
The council hearing is foregrounded while the praying community is only suggested beyond it. The standing healed man supplies the chapter’s undeniable public evidence; the later shaking of the gathering place is not literalized.
Scripture basis: Acts 4:1–37King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
First century AD, before AD 70
Caiaphas Ossuary
An ornate limestone ossuary from an excavated first-century Jerusalem tomb bears a debated inscription commonly read 'Joseph son of Qafa.' Its date, elite setting, and name make a Caiaphas family connection plausible, but no priestly title proves it held the Gospel high priest.
Matthew 26:3–5 · Matthew 26:57–68 · Luke 3:2
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Third century AD
Chester Beatty Papyrus I (P45)
Thirty fragmentary leaves of a third-century papyrus codex once containing all four Gospels and Acts preserve an early five-book collection, important readings, and evidence for Christian book culture while neither recovering a pristine original text nor proving the narrated events.
Acts 4:27–36
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
4th Century
Papyrus P8: Acts 5:2–9 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P8 is an early fourth-century two-leaf codex fragment in Berlin preserving Acts 4:31-6:15, including communal sharing, Ananias and Sapphira, and the appointment of the Seven.
Acts 4:31–37 · Acts 5:1–42 · Acts 6:1–15
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th Century
Papyrus P136: Acts 4:27–31; Acts 7:26–30 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P136, Duke Papyrus 1377, is a sixth-century Greek Acts fragment written on both sides of a reused roll, with one text direction inverted relative to the other.
Acts 4:27–31 · Acts 7:26–30
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
fourth century AD (palaeographic estimate; some catalogues allow fourth–fifth)
Papyrus P57: Acts 4:36–5:10
Pap. Vindob. G. 26020, Gregory-Aland P57, is a fourth-century Greek papyrus fragment preserving the transition from Barnabas's gift to the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 4–5.
Acts 4:36–37 · Acts 5:1–2 · Acts 5:8–10
Prophecy Events
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
64
Psalms 118:22–23The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone
Psalm 118 says the stone rejected by the builders becomes the head stone of the corner. Jesus and the apostles apply the image to Him; Roman witnesses document an executed founder whose movement rapidly re-emerged and spread, while resurrection and exaltation remain faith claims.
KingdomJesus ChristPsalm 118cornerstonerejection
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
Psalms 2:1–12God's Anointed Son and King
Psalm 2 depicts the nations opposing the Lord and his anointed king, whom God calls his Son.
KingdomanointedSonnationskingdom
Sermons
The Reshaping of Christianity
In “The Reshaping of Christianity,” Pastor Dean Odle warns that Christianity can be counterfeited when biblical authority and personal devotion to Jesus Christ are replaced by religious ritual, institutional loyalty, political identity, occult spirituality, or a universalized “Christ” acceptable to every religion. Beginning with Israel’s golden calf in Exodus 31-32, he argues that people may retain the language of worship while fashioning a god from their own culture and imagination. He connects that pattern with Paul’s warning about “another Jesus,” “another spirit,” and “another gospel” in 2 Corinthians 11 and Galatians 1.
Apostasy and DeceptionRoman Catholicism and the PapacyMystery BabylonBible Prophecy
View sermon Bloody Hands
In “Bloody Hands,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about freedom from fear, faith, prayer. Drawing especially from Proverbs 21:20, 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16, Luke 24:44, the teaching emphasizes that the believer must answer fear with trust in God, sober judgment, and faithful action. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelChristian LivingSpiritual Warfare
View sermon True Christian Unity
In “True Christian Unity,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the condition of the church, faith, prayer. Drawing especially from Matthew 24, Ephesians 4, John 17, 1 Timothy 4, the teaching emphasizes that the church is called to recover biblical faithfulness instead of accommodating compromise. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons
Music
As in the Days of Noah
A Scripture-dense warning from the days of Noah: ordinary life, deepening corruption, rejected warnings, certain judgment, and saving grace. The song calls listeners to test every claim by God's Word and take refuge in Jesus Christ while the door remains open.
Come Honestly
A Scripture-rich gospel appeal to come to Jesus without pretense: confessing sin, trusting His crucifixion and resurrection, receiving salvation by grace through faith, and following Him in repentance and new life.
Come Out of Her
A musical call to open Revelation 18, read the chapter in context, and consider its warning.
What's His Name
A forceful call to lay down pride, refuse self-glory, and exalt Jesus Christ—the crucified and risen King whose name alone brings salvation.