Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book,^(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach^{(B) 2} until the day he was taken up to heaven,^(C) after giving instructions^(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles^(E) he had chosen.^{(F) 3} After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them^(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.^{(H) 4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait^(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.^{(J) 5} For John baptized with^[a] water,^(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”^(L)

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore^(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.^{(N) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;^(O) and you will be my witnesses^(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,^(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”^(R)

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up^(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white^(T) stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,”^(U) 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^(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;^(A) he entered heaven itself,^(B) now to appear for us in God’s presence.^{(C) 25} Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place^(D) every year with blood that is not his own.^{(E) 26} Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.^(F) But he has appeared^(G) once for all^(H) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.^{(I) 27} Just as people are destined to die once,^(J) and after that to face judgment,^{(K) 28} so Christ was sacrificed once^(L) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,^(M) not to bear sin,^(N) but to bring salvation^(O) to those who are waiting for him.^(P)

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(A) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^(B)

²⁰ and teaching^(A) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(B) always, to the very end of the age.”^(C)

⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer^(A) and rise from the dead on the third day,^{(B) 47} and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(C) to all nations,^(D) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(E) 48} You are witnesses^(F) of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised;^(G) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,^(H) he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.^{(I) 52} Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple,^(J) praising God.