Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the
day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles
whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing
proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying
with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.
“This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the
kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set
by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he
had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While
he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by
them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has
been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Ephesians 1:15-23
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for
this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of
wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart
enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the
riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at
his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to
come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things
for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Luke 24:44-53
Jesus said to his disciples, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with
you– that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms
must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to
them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the
third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to
all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am
sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been
clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While
he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they
worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the
temple blessing God.
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