Thursday 2 June 2011

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.

16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee,to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.17When they saw him, they bowed down to him;but some doubted.18Jesus came to them and spoke to them,saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.19Go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Fatherand of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you.Behold, I am with you always,even to the end of the age.” Amen.