1. To Theophilus,The first book I wrote was about everything that Jesus did and taught.
2. I wrote about the whole life of Jesus, from the beginning until the day he was taken up into heaven. Before this, Jesus talked to the apostles he had chosen. With the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus told them what they should do.
3. After his death, he showed himself to them and proved in many ways that he was alive. The apostles saw Jesus during the 40 days after he was raised from death. He spoke to them about the kingdom of God.
4. Once when he was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “The Father has made you a promise which I told you about before. Wait here to receive this promise.
5. John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6. The apostles were all together. They asked Jesus, “Lord, are you at this time going to give the kingdom back to Israel?”
7. Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know.
8. But the Holy Spirit will come to you. Then you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”
9. After he said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up. A cloud hid him from their sight.
10. As he was going, they were looking into the sky. Suddenly, two men wearing white clothes stood beside them.
11. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? You saw Jesus taken away from you into heaven. He will come back in the same way you saw him go.”