Acts 1:1–11

Prologue

1I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach ^a2until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. ^b3After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. ^c

The Holy Spirit Promised

⁴While He was together ^dwith them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. ^e“This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; ⁵for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ^f

⁶So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

⁷He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. ^g8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends ^hof the earth.” ⁱ

The Ascension

⁹After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. ¹⁰While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. ^j11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.” ^k