Acts 1:4-8
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
4 While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father[a] about which you have heard me speak;(A) 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.”(B)
The Ascension of Jesus. 6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going[b] to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 [c]He answered them,(C) “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 [d]But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you,(D) and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1:4 The promise of the Father: the holy Spirit, as is clear from the next verse. This gift of the Spirit was first promised in Jesus’ final instructions to his chosen witnesses in Luke’s gospel (Lk 24:49) and formed part of the continuing instructions of the risen Jesus on the kingdom of God, of which Luke speaks in Acts 1:3.
- 1:6 The question of the disciples implies that in believing Jesus to be the Christ (see note on Lk 2:11) they had expected him to be a political leader who would restore self-rule to Israel during his historical ministry. When this had not taken place, they ask if it is to take place at this time, the period of the church.
- 1:7 This verse echoes the tradition that the precise time of the parousia is not revealed to human beings; cf. Mk 13:32; 1 Thes 5:1–3.
- 1:8 Just as Jerusalem was the city of destiny in the Gospel of Luke (the place where salvation was accomplished), so here at the beginning of Acts, Jerusalem occupies a central position. It is the starting point for the mission of the Christian disciples to “the ends of the earth,” the place where the apostles were situated and the doctrinal focal point in the early days of the community (Acts 15:2, 6). The ends of the earth: for Luke, this means Rome.
1 Peter 3:13-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
13 Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,(A) 16 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.
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