The Ascension of Jesus Story - Bible

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his followers many times over forty days. He showed them that he was really alive. He talked with them about the kingdom of God. He ate with them and taught them.

One day, Jesus was eating with his disciples. He told them, 'Do not leave Jerusalem. Wait for the gift my Father promised. You have heard me talk about it. John baptized with water. But in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

The disciples gathered around Jesus. They asked him, 'Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?'

Jesus answered, 'You should not 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. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria. You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.'

After Jesus said this, he was lifted up into the sky. While they were watching, a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking up into the sky. As Jesus was going up, suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. They were angels. The angels said, 'Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus has been taken from you into heaven. He will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'

The disciples worshiped Jesus. Then they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They stayed at the temple all the time. They praised God continually.

In Jerusalem, the disciples gathered together in an upstairs room. They all joined together constantly in prayer. There were about 120 of them. They included Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. The women were there too. Jesus' mother Mary was with them. His brothers were also there.

Ten days after Jesus went up to heaven, something amazing happened. On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like a strong wind came from heaven. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like tongues of fire. The fire separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other languages. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to do this.

People from many countries were staying in Jerusalem. They heard the loud sound and came together to see what was happening. They were amazed because each one heard the believers speaking in their own language.

They asked, 'Aren't all these people from Galilee? Then why do we each hear them speaking in our own native language?' There were people from Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. They heard the believers telling about God's wonders in their own languages.

Some people made fun of the believers. They said, 'They have had too much wine.'

Then Peter stood up with the other eleven. He spoke loudly to the crowd. He said, 'These people are not drunk, as you think. It is only nine in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel spoke about. God said, 'In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.''

Peter told the crowd about Jesus. He said that Jesus had done miracles and wonders. But the people had killed him by nailing him to a cross. But God raised him from the dead. Jesus has been exalted to God's right hand. He has received the Holy Spirit from the Father. He has poured out what you now see and hear.

When the people heard this, they felt very sorry for what they had done. They asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?'

Peter answered, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children. It is for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God will call to himself.'

About three thousand people accepted Peter's message that day. They were baptized and added to the group of believers. They spent their time learning from the apostles. They shared meals together and prayed together. Everyone was filled with wonder at the many miracles and signs.

Jesus went back to heaven, but he did not leave his followers alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside them. The Holy Spirit gives us power to tell others about Jesus. One day, Jesus will come back to earth just as he went up to heaven. He will make everything new and bring his followers to live with him forever.

The Ascension of Jesus story teaches divine glory and fulfillment. It shows Jesus promise to send the Holy Spirit. This story highlights hope and guidance.