Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,
a firm and tested stone.
It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
Whoever believes need never be shaken.
I am counting on the LORD:
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
I long for the Lord
more than the sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures
where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’
There is salvation in no one else!
God has given no other name under heaven
by which we must be saved.”
But God knew what would happen,
and his prearranged plan was carried out
when Jesus was betrayed…
But God released him from the horrors of death
and raised him back to life,
for death could not keep him in its grip.
‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.
But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD
will be saved.’
…he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching,
and they could no longer see him.
As they strained to see him rising into heaven,
two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
“Men of Galilee,” they said,
“why are you standing here staring into heaven?
Jesus has been taken from you into heaven,
but someday he will return from heaven
in the same way you saw him go!”
…Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of God,
and that by believing in him
you will have life by the power of his name.
Blessings of believing in Him
Then Jesus told him,
“You believe because you have seen me.
Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded,
“You say I am a king.
Actually, I was born and came into the world
to testify to the truth.
All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked.
