The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach^(A)

³ I, too, decided, as one having a grasp of everything from the start,^[a] to write a well-ordered account for you, most excellent Theophilus,^(A)

¹⁹ He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,^[a] who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,^(A)

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

²³ Jesus^[a] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news^[b] of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.^{(A) 24} So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, people possessed by demons or having epilepsy or afflicted with paralysis, and he cured them.^(B)

The Ancestors of Jesus

²³ Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli,^(A)

²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.^(A)

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.^(B)

²² “Fellow Israelites,^[a] listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth,^[b] a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know^(A)—

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹ Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.^{(A) 20} Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.”

³² Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” ³³ The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human, are making yourself God.”^{(A) 34} Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law,^[a] ‘I said, you are gods’?^{(B) 35} If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— ³⁶ can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?^{(C) 37} If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me.^{(D) 38} But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand^[b] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”^(E)