Jesus Enters Heaven      After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples many times, bringing them comfort and instruction, and telling them a little about what to expect in the future. One day, when Jesus met them on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the excited disciples were still bursting with questions for Him. Jesus was their Messiah, the Saviour of Israel whom the Old Testament prophets had spoken about. He was their king, and they longed to see the Romans thrown out of their country at last. “Lord, you’ve taught us so much about the kingdom of God, but when will you give the kingdom back to Israel?” they asked. Jesus understood their impatience, but answered firmly, “You don’t need to concern yourselves about the times or the dates when the Father has decided that I will return. Just wait here in Jerusalem, because soon I will send you the Holy Spirit, who will give you the power to tell everyone in the world about me. I am building my spiritual kingdom here on earth, and you have an important part to play in that.” When Jesus finished speaking, a cloud hid him from their sight. They strained their eyes, searching for him in the sky, but he was gone. Suddenly, two men dressed in white - two angels - appeared beside them. “Why are you looking for Jesus in the sky?” they asked the puzzled disciples. “He’s been taken up to Heaven, and one day he will come back to earth in the same way.”

The Holy Spirit Comes Ten days after the apostles saw Jesus taken up to heaven, they began to celebrate the Jewish feast of Pentecost, along with Jews of many nations who had come to Jerusalem. On Sunday morning, the Christians met together as usual when, suddenly, the sound of a mighty wind blowing from heaven filled the whole house. Amazed, they watched what looked like tongues of fire rest on each of them, filling them with the power of the Holy Spirit. A tremendous joy bubbled up from inside them all and, loudly, they began praising God. A crowd gathered to see the commotion, and to their astonishment the Apostles began speaking to the visitors in their own languages. “Aren’t these men from Galilee?” someone in the crowd asked his companion. “Then how are they able to talk about the wonderful things God has done in our own language?” Others thought the apostles were drunk. “We’re certainly not drunk,” Peter told the crowd. “Why, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! No, God has poured out his Holy Spirit on us, and, just as the prophet Joel foretold, we will now prophesy, see amazing visions and dreams, and perform wonderful miracles. Jesus, whom you crucified, is alive, and God has made him Lord over everyone!” When the crowd heard this, they were deeply ashamed, and asked the apostles what they should do. “Don’t be afraid,” Peter told them. “Tell God that you are sorry for your sin, and be baptized. God will forgive you and give you the Holy Spirit, too.” And that day about three thousand people became believers.