Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

1 Theophilus, in the first book I wrote to you, I wrote about all the things Jesus began to do and to teach.

² He did those things until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he went up, he gave orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

³ In many ways he proved to them that he was living again after his terrible death. For forty days they often saw him. Then he told them things about God's kingdom.

⁴ One day when he was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, `Wait here for what the Father promised you. I have told you about that promise already.

⁵ John baptised with water. But you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit when a few days have passed.'

⁶ When they had come together, the apostles asked Jesus, `Lord, are you now going to set up the kingdom of Israel?'

⁷ He answered them, `You will not know the days or the months which the Father has chosen.

⁸ But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power. You will speak of me in Jerusalem and all around in Judea and Samaria and everywhere in the world.'

⁹ When Jesus had said this, he went up. They watched him going. Then a cloud hid him, and they did not see him any more.

¹⁰ While they were looking at the sky as he went up, two men stood by them in white clothes.

¹¹ They said, `You men from Galilee, why do you stand there looking at the sky? Jesus has gone up into heaven. In the same way that you saw him go up, he will come again.'

¹⁵ Here is why I always thank God for you. I have heard that you believe in the Lord Jesus and love all of God's people. I think of you when I talk to God.

¹⁶ He is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father who is very great and wonderful. I ask him to give you a mind that is wise and will understand about him.

¹⁷ I ask him that you may understand these things in your hearts. I ask him that you may know what a great hope you have because God has called you. I ask him that you may know the rich and great blessings God has promised to his people.

¹⁸ I ask him that you may know the wonderful power he has to do things for us who believe in Christ. His power is very strong.

¹⁹ God used that power when he raised Christ from death and had him sit at his right side in heaven.

²⁰ He is greater than any ruler, power, chief, or king. His name is greater than any other name, not only in this world, but in the world that will come.

²¹ And God has put all things under Christ. He has made him the head of the church people in all matters.

²² The church [all the people who believe in Jesus Christ] is his body. The church people have everything that Christ has. He is the One who is in everything everywhere.

⁴⁴ Men will talk in his name to people in all countries. They will tell them to stop their wrong ways and ask to be forgiven. They will begin in Jerusalem.

⁴⁵ You are the men who have seen these things, and will tell people about them.

⁴⁶ I will send you what the Father has promised to give you. So wait in the city of Jerusalem until you have been given power from God.'

⁴⁷ Jesus led the disciples out as far as the town of Bethany. He put up his hands and blessed them.

⁴⁸ While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven.

⁴⁹ They bowed down and worshipped him. They were very happy and went back to Jerusalem.

⁵⁰ Every day they were in the temple praising God.