-
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.
-
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
-
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
-
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
-
“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.”
-
and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.
-
Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
-
“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.’
-
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,
-
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
-
Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
-
Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
-
Peter Addresses the Crowd
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
-
No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
-
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
-
“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.
-
This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
-
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
-
David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
-
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,
-
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
-
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
-
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
-
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
-
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
