The leaders knew that Peter and John were ordinary, untrained men, and so they were amazed by how boldly they spoke. They recognized that the two of them had been with Jesus.
Paul and Barnabas spent a lot of time there, speaking boldly for the Lord. He gave them the ability to do signs and wonders, and in this way, the Lord showed that they were telling the truth about his grace.
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so I was able to preach the message completely, and all the Gentiles heard it. I was saved from the lion’s mouth.
He proclaimed the kingdom of God boldly and taught people about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one kept him from teaching and preaching about those things.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly. “We had to speak God’s word to you first,” they said. “But you haven’t accepted it, as if you think you don’t deserve eternal life. So we’re going to talk to the Gentiles from now on.
But Barnabas brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord while on his journey and how the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also explained that in Damascus Saul had preached without fear in Jesus’ name.
Earlier, in the city of Philippi, we suffered and the people treated us very badly, as you also know. But God still gave us the boldness to tell you his good news, even when people strongly opposed us.
The leaders warned Peter and John again and then let them go. They didn’t dare punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
The king is familiar with these things, so I can speak freely to him. I’m sure he knows everything that has been going on. After all, it wasn’t done in a corner.