³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them^(A) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.^{(B) 4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait^(C) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.^{(D) 5} For John baptized with^[a] water,^(E) but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”^(F)

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore^(G) 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.^(H)

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem^(A) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,^(B) a Sabbath day’s walk^[a] from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room^(C) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.^{(D) 14} They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(E) along with the women^(F) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(G)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost^(A) came, they were all together^(B) in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.^{(C) 3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit^(D) and began to speak in other tongues^[a](E) as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing^(F) Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed,^(G) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?^{(H) 8} Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,^(I) Pontus^(J) and Asia,^{[b](K) 10} Phrygia^(L) and Pamphylia,^(M) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;^(N) visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(A)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(B) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(C) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(D) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(E) and for all who are far off^(F)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(G) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(H) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(I) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(J) and to prayer.^{(K) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(L) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(M) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(N) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(O) They broke bread^(P) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(Q) And the Lord added to their number^(R) daily those who were being saved.