Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
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.”
Ascension!
9 As Jesus said this, he was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 They were gazing into heaven as he disappeared. Then, lo and behold, two men appeared, dressed in white, standing beside them.
11 “Galileans,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”
Knowing the power of the Messiah
15 Because of all this, and because I’d heard that you are loyal and faithful to Jesus the master, and that you show love to all God’s holy people, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of Messiah Jesus our Lord, the father of glory, would give you, in your spirit, the gift of being wise, of seeing things people can’t normally see, because you are coming to know him 18 and to have the eyes of your inmost self opened to God’s light. Then you will know exactly what the hope is that goes with God’s call; you will know the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in his holy people; 19 and you will know the outstanding greatness of his power towards us who are loyal to him in faith, according to the working of his strength and power.
20 This was the power at work in the Messiah when God raised him from the dead and sat him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 above all rule and authority and power and lordship, and above every name that is invoked, both in the present age and also in the age to come. 22 Yes: God has “put all things under his feet,” and has given him to the church as the head over all. 23 The church is his body; it is the fullness of the one who fills all in all.
44 Then he said to them, “This is what I was explaining to you when I was still with you. Everything written about me in the law of Moses, and in the prophets and the Psalms, had to be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Bible.
46 “This is what is written,” he said. “The Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and in his name repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, must be announced to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are the witnesses for all this. 49 Now, look: I’m sending upon you what my father has promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then he took them out as far as Bethany, and lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 As he was blessing them, he was separated from them and carried into heaven.
52 They worshiped him, and went back to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 They spent all their time in the Temple, praising God.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.