Jesus Ascends to Heaven

1:1 I wrote1 the former2 account,3 Theophilus,4 about all that Jesus began to do and teach 1:2 until the day he was taken up to heaven,5 after he had given orders6 by7 the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 1:3 To the same apostles8 also, after his suffering,9 he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period10 and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. 1:4 While he was with them,11 he declared,12 “Do not leave Jerusalem,13 but wait there14 for what my15 Father promised,16 which you heard about from me.17 1:5 For18 John baptized with water, but you19 will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

1:6 So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him,20 “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 1:7 He told them, “You are not permitted to know21 the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 1:8 But 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 parts22 of the earth.” 1:9 After23 he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 1:10 As24 they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly25 two men in white clothing stood near them 1:11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here26 looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven27 will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”