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)

The Stoning of Stephen

⁵⁴ When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious^(A) and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,^(B) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.^{(C) 56} “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open^(D) and the Son of Man^(E) standing at the right hand of God.”

⁵⁷ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city^(F) and began to stone him.^(G) Meanwhile, the witnesses^(H) laid their coats^(I) at the feet of a young man named Saul.^(J)

⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”^{(K) 60} Then he fell on his knees^(L) and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”^(M) When he had said this, he fell asleep.^(N)

8 And Saul^(O) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered^(P) throughout Judea and Samaria.^{(Q) 2} Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul^(R) began to destroy the church.^(S) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

⁴ Those who had been scattered^(T) preached the word wherever they went.^(U)