Third Sunday of Easter

14Verse 14. Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. 36Verse 36. Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” 37Verse 37. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38Verse 38. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39Verse 39. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off — to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40Verse 40. With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” 41Verse 41. Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

17Verse 17. Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. 18Verse 18. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, 19Verse 19. but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. 20Verse 20. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. 21Verse 21. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God. 22Verse 22. Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. 23Verse 23. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

13Verse 13. That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14Verse 14. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15Verse 15. And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. 16Verse 16. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17Verse 17. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18Verse 18. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” 19Verse 19. “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. 20Verse 20. Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. 21Verse 21. But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place. 22Verse 22. Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23Verse 23. but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. 24Verse 24. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.” 25Verse 25. Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Verse 26. Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” 27Verse 27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. 28Verse 28. As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. 29Verse 29. But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30Verse 30. While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Verse 31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus — and He disappeared from their sight. 32Verse 32. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33Verse 33. And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together 34Verse 34. and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!” 35Verse 35. Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.