Book of Common Prayer
The coming of the Holy Spirit. The sermon of Peter before the crowds of people at Jerusalem, and the increase of the faithful.
2 When the fiftieth day was come, they were all with one accord together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they sat. 3 And there appeared to them cloven tongues, as if of fire, which sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, even as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, who were from all nations under heaven. 6 Hearing of this, a large crowd came together. And the people were astonished, because everyone heard them speak his own tongue. 7 They all wondered and marvelled, saying among themselves, Are not all these who speak from Galilee? 8 And how is that we hear each his own tongue in which he was born? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabiters of Mesopotamia, of Judea, and of Cappadocia, of Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, Jews and converts, 11 Greeks and Arabians: we have heard them speak with our own tongues about the great works of God. 12 They were all amazed, and wondered, saying to one another, What does this mean? 13 Others mocked them, saying, They are full of new wine.
14 But Peter stepped forth with the eleven, and lifted up his voice and said to them, Men of Judea, and all ye who inhabit Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and with your ears hear my words. 15 These are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is yet but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 It shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire, and the vapour of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord comes. 21 And it shall be that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.
The resurrection of Christ. The high priests give the soldiers a large sum of money to say that Christ was stolen out of his grave. Christ appears to his disciples, and sends them forth to preach and to baptize.
28 At the close of the Sabbath day, which is in the dawn of the morrow after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightening and his raiment white as snow. 4 And for fear of him, the guards were overwhelmed and became as dead men.
5 The angel spoke and said to the women, Fear not: I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here. He is risen, as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was put. 7 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from death. And behold, he will go before you into Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All Hail! And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus to them, Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they will see me.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.