Ascension of the Lord

1Verse 1. In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, 2Verse 2. until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3Verse 3. After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4Verse 4. And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5Verse 5. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ” 6Verse 6. So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7Verse 7. Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8Verse 8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9Verse 9. After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. 10Verse 10. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11Verse 11. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

15Verse 15. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16Verse 16. I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17Verse 17. that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 18Verse 18. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19Verse 19. and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20Verse 20. which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21Verse 21. far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22Verse 22. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23Verse 23. which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

44Verse 44. Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45Verse 45. Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46Verse 46. And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47Verse 47. and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 48Verse 48. You are witnesses of these things. 49Verse 49. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50Verse 50. When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51Verse 51. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. 52Verse 52. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53Verse 53. praising God continually in the temple.