October 9 Daily Devotional

Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; Acts 1

During the forty days after his resurrection Christ appeared unto his disciples at various times. At one time he was seen by more than five hundred brethren. Shortly before his ascension he was with the eleven on a mount in Galilee. And when they saw him, they worshipped him. There he spake to them these memorable words, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

During the forty days before his ascension, Jesus spake to his disciples about the kingdom of God. “And being assembled together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye have heard from me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

And Jesus led his disciples out to the mount of Olives, as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, and while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. He was carried up into heaven, to sit at the right hand of God. “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. And then they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.”