The Ascension

[Acts 1:1-11]

1 In my previous book, Theophilus, I wrote of everything that Jesus did and taught from the beginning

2 until the day he was taken up, after first giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

3 After his passion Jesus had presented himself alive to them by many proofs. He appeared to them during forty days and spoke to them about the kingdom of God.

4 When they were gathered together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, saying, “Wait there for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak.

5 For John baptized with water, but within a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 As they were all gathered together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the dates or the times that the Father has designated by his own authority.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem, but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the farthest ends of the earth.”

The Ascension of Jesus.

9 After he said this, he was lifted up as they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.

10 While he was departing as they gazed upward toward the sky, suddenly two men dressed in white robes stood beside them,

11 and they said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”