Acts 1:1–11

1:1 I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. 4While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7He told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” 9After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”

Ps. 47

47:1 For the music director, by the Korahites; a psalm.

All you nations, clap your hands.

Shout out to God in celebration.

2For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring;

he is the great king who rules the whole earth!

3He subdued nations beneath us

and countries under our feet.

4He picked out for us a special land

to be a source of pride for Jacob, whom he loves. (Selah)

5God has ascended his throne amid loud shouts;

the Lord has ascended amid the blaring of ram’s horns.

6Sing to God! Sing!

Sing to our king! Sing!

7For God is king of the whole earth.

Sing a well-written song.

8God reigns over the nations.

God sits on his holy throne.

9The nobles of the nations assemble,

along with the people of the God of Abraham,

for God has authority over the rulers of the earth.

He is highly exalted.

Eph. 1:15–23

1:15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him, 18—since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened—so that you can know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. 20This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms 21far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. 23Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 24:44–53

24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51Now during the blessing he departed and was taken up into heaven. 52So they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple courts blessing God.