until he was taken up to heaven. But before he was taken up, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen with the help of the Holy Spirit.

While he was still with them, he said: Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do.

John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”

He said: My friends, long ago by the power of the Holy Spirit, David said something about Judas, and what he said has now happened. Judas was one of us and had worked with us, but he brought the mob to arrest Jesus.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place.

The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and this is what you are now seeing and hearing.

Peter said to them, “Turn to God and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the nation's leaders and the elders:

And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say: “Why are all the Gentiles so furious? Why do people make foolish plans?

After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.

Peter said, “Why has Satan made you keep back some of the money from the sale of the property? Why have you lied to the Holy Spirit?

We are here to tell you about all this, and so is the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to everyone who obeys God.

This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch.

You stubborn and hardheaded people! You are always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did.

But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side.

When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that these people would be given the Holy Spirit.

Before this, the Holy Spirit had not been given to any of them, though some of them had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.

and said to Peter and John, “Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit.”

Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now had a time of peace and kept on worshiping the Lord. The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow.

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men are here looking for you.

God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil.