May 28, 2028

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.

17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. 18May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, 20which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, 21far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

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.”

46And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” The Ascension. 50Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. 51As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. 52They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and they were continually in the temple praising God.