Today's teaching text is from Acts chapter 1, verses 1 through 11.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven.

After giving instruction through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen,

after his suffering, he presented himself to them, and gave many convincing proofs that he

was alive.

He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

On one occasion while he was eating with them,

he gave them this command.

Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift of my father promised.

What you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with water,

but in a few days you'll be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Then they gathered around him and asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?

He said to them, it is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority,

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.

And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem

and in all Judea and Samaria

and to the ends of the earth.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes

and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going,

when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. Men of Galilee, they said, why do you

stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taking from you into heaven, will come back in the same

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