Sunday 8 May 2016

1The first book I wrote,Theophilus, concerned allthat Jesus began both to do and to teach,2until the day in which he was received up,after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.3To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered,by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty daysand speaking about God’s Kingdom.4Being assembled together with them,he commanded them,“Don’t depart from Jerusalem,but wait for the promise of the Father,which you heard from me.5For John indeed baptized in water,but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6Therefore, when they had come together,they asked him, “Lord,are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

7He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasonswhich the Father has set within his own authority.8But you will receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you.You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem,in all Judea and Samaria,and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

9When he had said these things,as they were looking,he was taken up,and a cloud received him out of their sight.10While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went,behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,11who also said, “You men of Galilee,why do you stand looking into the sky?This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky,will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

2Oh clap your hands, all you nations.Shout to God with the voice of triumph!3For the Lord Most High is awesome.He is a great King over all the earth.

6God has gone up with a shout,the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.7Sing praises to God! Sing praises!Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!

8For God is the King of all the earth.Sing praises with understanding.9God reigns over the nations.God sits on his holy throne.

17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of glory,may give to you a spirit of wisdomand revelation in the knowledge of him,18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,that you may know what is the hope of his calling,and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe,according to that working of the strength of his might20which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the deadand made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule,authority, power, dominion,and every name that is named,not only in this age,but also in that which is to come.22He put all things in subjection under his feet,and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,23which is his body,the fullness of him who fills all in all.

46He said to them, “Thus it is written,and thus it was necessary for the Christ to sufferand to rise from the dead the third day,47and that repentanceand remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations,beginning at Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.49Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you.But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50He led them out as far as Bethany,and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.51While he blessed them,he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.52They worshiped himand returned to Jerusalem with great joy,53and were continually in the temple,praising and blessing God. Amen.