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Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
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until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
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After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
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Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
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He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
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“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
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Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
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“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’
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Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us,
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Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
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Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
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Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
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No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
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I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
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“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
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David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
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Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,
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“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
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For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand
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“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
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The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
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When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
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The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.
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By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
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“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
