Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, ^(A)a man attested to you by God ^(B)with ^(C)mighty works and wonders and signs that ^(D)God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus,^{[a] (E)}delivered up according to ^(F)the definite plan and ^(G)foreknowledge of God, ^(H)you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ^24 (I)God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because ^(J)it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him,

²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about ^(Q)the patriarch David ^(R)that he both died and ^(S)was buried, and ^(T)his tomb is with us to this day. ^30 (U)Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that ^(V)God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that ^(W)he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus ^(X)God raised up, ^(Y)and of that we all are witnesses.

Great Are the Lord's Works

Born Again to a Living Hope

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! ^(B)According to his great mercy, ^(C)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope ^(D)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to ^(E)an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and ^(F)unfading, ^(G)kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded ^(H)through faith for a salvation ^(I)ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by ^(J)various trials, ⁷ so that ^(K)the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes ^(L)though it is tested by ^(M)fire—may be found to result in ^(N)praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ^8 (O)Though you have not seen him, you love him. ^(P)Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining ^(Q)the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

^19 (A)On the evening ^(B)of that day, the first day of the week, ^(C)the doors being locked where the disciples were ^(D)for fear of the Jews,^[a] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ^(E)“Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, ^(F)he showed them his hands and his side. Then ^(G)the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As ^(H)the Father has sent me, ^(I)even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he ^(J)breathed on them and said to them, ^(K)“Receive the Holy Spirit. ^23 (L)If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus and Thomas

²⁴ Now ^(M)Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,^[b] was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, ^(N)“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. ^(O)Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ^(P)“Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, ^(Q)“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, ^(R)“My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? ^(S)Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

^30 (T)Now Jesus did many other signs ^(U)in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ^31 (V)but these are written so that you may ^(W)believe that Jesus is the Christ, ^(X)the Son of God, and that by believing ^(Y)you may have life ^(Z)in his name.