Book of Common Prayer

Prologue

1 Many people have undertaken to draw up an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled in our midst. ² It has all been handed down to us by the original eyewitnesses and stewards of the word. ³ So, most excellent Theophilus, since I had traced the course of the whole thing scrupulously from the start, I thought it a good idea to write an orderly account for you, ⁴ so that you may have secure knowledge about the matters in which you have been instructed.

Here comes the sequel!

1 Dear Theophilus,

The previous book which I wrote was about everything Jesus began to do and teach. ² I took the story as far as the day when he was taken up, once he had given instructions through the holy spirit to his chosen apostles.

³ He showed himself to them alive, after his suffering, by many proofs. He was seen by them for forty days, during which he spoke about God’s kingdom. ⁴ As they were having a meal together, he told them not to go away from Jerusalem, but to wait, as he put it, “for the father’s promise, which I was telling you about earlier. ⁵ John baptized with water, you see; but in a few days from now you will be baptized with the holy spirit.”

When, what and how?

⁶ So when the apostles came together, they put this question to Jesus.

“Master,” they said, “is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ “It’s not your business to know about times and dates,” he replied. “The father has placed all that under his own direct authority. ⁸ What will happen, though, is that you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth.”