4. But many who heard the message believed. The number of men who believed grew to about 5,000.
5. The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
6. Annas, the high priest, was there. So were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others in the high priest's family.
7. They had Peter and John brought to them. They wanted to question them. "By what power did you do this?" they asked. "And through whose name?"
8. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people!
9. Are you asking us to explain our actions today? Do you want to know why we were kind to a disabled man? Are you asking how he was healed?
10. Then listen to this, you and all the people of Israel! You nailed Jesus Christ of Nazareth to the cross. But God raised him from the dead. It is through Jesus' name that this man stands healed in front of you.