Acts 1 (résumé): Jesus taken up into Heaven

The Book of Acts is the second book written by Luke and covers the coming of the Holy Spirit, the growth of the church in Jerusalem, the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, Paul's missionary journeys and Paul going to Rome.

Acts 1 tells initially of Jesus being taken up into heaven. Proof of Jesus' resurrection is emphasized in that he appeared "over a period of 40 days" and told his followers not to leave Jerusalem but "to wait for the gift my Father promised... and you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit... and you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth... and after he said this he was taken up before their very eyes... and one day he will return in the same way he went". And there were about 120 of them that stayed in Jerusalem in prayer including Jesus' mother and brothers. Then Peter addressed the group about Judas Iscariot's demise and the need to replace him as an apostle. They chose 2 candidates: Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias, and after prayer they drew lots which chose Matthias as the replacement apostle.

John 21 (résumé): Jesus and the miraculous catch of Fish

The disciples went fishing all night and caught nothing, but in the morning Jesus was on the shore and told them just where to cast their nets. The haul was gigantic yielding 153 large fish! Jesus had a fire going on the shore so he cooked fish for them and bread. "Come and have breakfast", Jesus said, "and they knew it was the Lord". This was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast Jesus took the opportunity to reinstate Peter's ministry and discipleship. Jesus asked Peter: "Do you love me more than these? (these fish or these disciples?)... Peter answered you know I love you... so Jesus said feed my lambs... then Jesus again asked if Peter truly loved him... and Peter again answered in the affirmative to which Jesus said take care of my sheep...then for the third time Jesus asked the same question... and Peter was again affirmative... and Jesus said feed my sheep... and follow me".

John 20 (résumé): The Resurrection

Early on Sunday morning Mary of Magdala saw that the stone had been removed from Jesus' tomb so she ran to Peter and John to tell them! They hurtled to the tomb, with John outsprinting Peter, and saw the linen burial cloths lying there. Mary stayed there crying and saw 2 angels who asked her why she was crying? She said it was because the Lord's body had gone. Then Jesus appeared but she didn't recognize him thinking he was the gardener, but when he pronounced her name the penny dropped and she cried out "Teacher!" Then Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples: "I have seen the Lord!" Then in the evening Jesus appeared to the disciples and he said "peace be with you", and he showed them his hands and side, and they were overjoyed. Then Jesus said "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you... receive the Holy Spirit... if you forgive sins they are forgiven". Thomas then turned up late, and when they told him about the resurrection he said he wouldn't believe unless he saw the marks on his body and felt them. When Jesus eventually met up with Thomas he showed him his hands and side and said: "Stop doubting and believe!" Thomas reacted saying: "My Lord and my God!" 

John 19 (résumé): The Crucifixion

Pilate had Jesus flogged and the soldiers put mockingly a crown of thorns on his head saying: "Hail king of the Jews". However Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and looked for a way to free him, but finally after immense pressure from the Jews he handed him over to be crucified. They crucified him in the middle of two criminals... he bowed his head and gave up his spirit... and Jesus saw his mother and John the beloved so he commended Mary into John's care. Then Jesus said: "It is finished". Then they pierced his side with a spear from where flowed blood and water. Following this Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus' body as he was a secret disciple of Jesus. He took the body together with Nicodemus and together they prepared the Lord's body wrapping it with linen and spices brought by Nicodemus. Then they buried Jesus in a brand new tomb. 

John 18 (résumé): Jesus arrested and before Pilate

Then Jesus was arrested by a detachment of soldiers guided by Judas the traitor. Peter reacted violently cutting off the high priest servant Malchus's ear, but Jesus told him to put his sword away. Then Peter made his first denial of being a disciple of Jesus. Meanwhile the high priest questioned Jesus and an official struck Jesus in the face when he didn't like an answer Jesus gave. Then Peter denied Jesus twice further and then the cock began to crow. Then the Jews led Jesus bound to the Roman Governor Pilate who asked if he was the king of the Jews and what he had done? Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world... I am a king born for this purpose and I came into this world to testify to the truth. Then Pilate said he found no basis for charges against Jesus, but in accordance with custom Pilate offered them the choice of releasing the criminal Barabbas or the king of the Jews Jesus and they chose Barabbas. 

John 17 (résumé): Jesus Prays

 Jesus looked to heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you... I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do... I have revealed you... and given them the words you gave me... so I pray for them... and all I have is yours... Holy Father protect them the disciples by the power of your name so that they may be one as we are one... none has been lost except the one doomed to destruction... I have given them your word and the world has hated them for not being of the world as nor am I... my prayer is not to take them out of the world but to protect them in it...sanctify them by your truth... but I don't just pray for the disciples... I pray for all those who will believe that all of them may be one... that the world may know that you have sent me... Father may those you have given me be with you where I am and see my glory... I will continue to make you known so that your love for me may be in them".

John 16 (résumé): The Work of the Holy Spirit

Jesus now warns his followers that it will not always be easy to be a Christian and there will be those who think killing disciples is service to God! Then Jesus speaks of the coming work of the Holy Spirit saying: "It is for your good that I am going away... because unless I go the Counsellor won't come... and he will convict the world... when he the Spirit of Truth comes he will guide you into all truth... and he will tell you what is yet to come... in a little while you will see me no more". The disciples didn't understand but Jesus prophesied that "You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy... and no-one will take away your joy... ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete... the Father has loved you because you have loved me... you believe at last Jesus said... but you will leave me alone... yet the Father is with me... and I have shared these things so that you may have peace".