May 9, 2027

1In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.” 6The Ascension of Jesus. When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

2I - All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with joyful cries. 3For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, the great king over all the earth, 6II - God has gone up with a shout; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. 7Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 8III - For God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise. 9God rules over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.

1I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7Diversity of Gifts. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore, it says: “He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” 9What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? 10The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ,

19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

15He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19The Ascension of Jesus. So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.] The Shorter Ending - [And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter’s companions. Afterwards Jesus himself, through them, sent forth from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.]