Leviticus 8: The Consecration of the Priests

*A Quick Word of Explanation for What Will Follow:

I teach 3 Bible studies a week that follow the same basic structure of going through a book of the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse. I have teaching studies like this for the last 13 years and have gone through every book of the New Testament in this way and many books of the Old Testament. Occasionally when I am gushing to someone about how much I got out of Hosea or Judges or Galatians, I will get a request for my notes...to which I sheepishly respond that I have none. Then I frown as I imagine all the page of material that could have been given had I simply written a little about whatever chapter we were studying each week.

Well! I am finally going to attempt to do that! I use various resource books and information and the Bible studies are very free-flowing with everyone welcome to contribute and participate as we move through the Scriptures. Feel free to join the conversation as I submit these brief thoughts for your consideration. I am starting with the books I am studying now and will try to tag them in such a way that they are easily located later, but you will have to bear with me and forgive me for plunging right into the middle of Leviticus without background information. I hope this may be of some use to you and that together we can “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Leviticus 8: “The Consecration of the Priests”

As we begin the next section of Leviticus about the ordination of the priests, it is important to keep a few New Testament fulfilments in mind.

• Jesus has fulfilled the role of our high priest. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
• As His spiritual children, we are called to fulfill the role of priests, as well. (1 Peter 2:5, 9)

It is with those principles in mind that I read this chapter.

First of all, why were priests even needed? Because the people of Israel were unholy, yet attempting to approach a holy God and He set aside a class of people who would go before Him as intercessors and representatives of the people, who would, in turn, represent Him to the people. Aaron and his sons were these first priests, and yet, they themselves were unholy and needed to be set apart. Moses in this chapter, as the prophet, intercessor, and mediator, fulfills the role of High Priest to ordain Aaron and his sons.

First, an overview of what happens to them in this chapter.

1. The Lord tells Moses to gather everyone together for the ceremony.
2. Aaron and his sons are washed with water.
3. Aaron is clothed with the garments of the high priest.
4. Moses anoints the tabernacle and everything in it with oil, then pours the oil over Aaron’s head to sanctify him.
5. Aaron’s sons are clothed with their priestly garments.
6. A sin-offering is made.
7. A burnt offering is made.
8. A consecration offering is made and Aaron and his sons have the blood applied to their right ears, right thumbs and right big toes, then wave their portion before the Lord, then Moses receives his portion.
9. They are commanded to stay in the Tabernacle for seven days until the days of the consecration are at an end.

This may seem like an obscure ritual to you, and if so, hang on to your seat, because this is unbelievably applicable to our lives! Remember, everything in the Old Testament is in principle true and is fulfilled in the New Testament! There are reasons for all of these things which we should take note of--if these things were necessary for the priests to approach God in their ministry then, the principle is still true of us to approach God in our ministry today! The process is endlessly fascinating to me and I am sure there are depths that I will not reach in this short analysis but give me leave to point just a few things out point by point.

First, this is all done by the commandment of the Lord, which is pointed out continuously through the section. In fact, Exodus 28-29 gives us the specific commandments of the Lord which are fulfilled in this chapter. Everything is arranged and provided for in this process. The same is true for us. God has a specific plan we must follow, and He has provided the means for us to do it through the cross, resurrection, and outpouring of the Holy Ghost! The way has been prepared, but we must still follow the plan!

Secondly, Aaron and his sons are washed with water. In this instance, they are washing their whole bodies with water, unlike the future when they will merely have to wash their hands and feet when they minister before the Lord. (Exodus 30:17-21; Exodus 40:30-32) That alone brings to mind the words of Jesus when he was washing the disciples’ feet and Peter passionately requested for Jesus to wash his whole body, but Jesus responded: “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” (John 13:9-10) Yet, the initial washing in this ceremony was essential and we must all go through it! Once we do, the truth in Hebrews 10:21-22 is for us!

“And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

When does this washing happen? We, too, begin with our bodies being washed, even as our high priest began with His body being washed!

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3:13-15)

And here, I see the type being fulfilled, as the prophet Moses inducted the high priest, Aaron, so the prophet, John the Baptist, inducts our high priest, Jesus! We must follow in the footsteps of our high priest and be baptized in His name as His sons and daughters! That is the first step in our becoming priests!

Thirdly, Aaron is clothed with the garments of the high priest. I could spend a lot of time here going through each piece of his clothing and what it means but I’ll reserve that for a time when we study Exodus 28. Suffice it to say that as the priest bore the names of the people of Israel engraved on stones our high priest bears our names engraved on the palms of His hands. I am unavoidably also reminded of Isaiah 59:16-21, when YHWH, seeing no man, no intercessor, clothes Himself with garments and comes as our Redeemer to establish a new covenant!

Fourthly, the Tabernacle is anointed and set apart and everything in it, specifically, the altar, which is sprinkled seven times and the laver. What is the purpose of this anointing with oil? As far as I can tell, oil symbolizes that these items are set apart for God’s specific use. They are not to be used in any other capacity. Then the oil is poured over Aaron’s head to sanctify him and set him apart for God’s specific use. Notice that the High Priest is anointed before the sacrifice is made and the blood applied, and that his sons are anointed afterwards. (vs. 30) Just as the Spirit descended and remained on Jesus at His baptism, signifying His anointing before the sacrifice was made, we cannot receive that same anointing until the blood is applied. Our High Priest had to go before us.

One more note on that comes from Psalm 133, which compares brethren dwelling in unity to the oil that flowed down Aaron’s beard. What a weird comparison, huh? But I think the Psalmist is drawing out the point that dwelling in unity sets us apart, even like the high priest was set apart to intercede for the people. There’s an anointing and blessing in unity that enables us to be the representatives of God to the people of this world!

Fifthly, Aaron’s sons are clothed with their priestly garments. A couple verses seem appropriate here:

Psalm 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. 

Psalm 132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Just as Moses clothed Aaron and his sons, the Lord clothes us with righteousness and salvation! Our clothing is Christ’s own righteousness! Once we are baptized in His name and anointed by His Spirit we receive the garments of praise in exchange for our filthy garments (just like Joshua the priest in Zechariah 3)!

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

What a glorious, powerful truth this is!

Sixthly, (is that even a word?), before they can begin ministering, a sin offering is made. I won’t go into too much detail here because it is discussed in such detail in Leviticus chapter 4, but I will again point out that Jesus became our sin offering for us.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Rom 8:3 For what the law was not able to do because it was feeble through the flesh, God, sending his Son in the image of the evil flesh, and as an offering for sin, gave his decision against sin in the flesh: (BBE)

Whether we sinned ignorantly or presumptuously, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered outside the camp. (Hebrews 13:12) His blood was offered for us that we might approach God.

Seventhly, (just work with me), the ram for the burnt offering. The fact that it’s a ram immediately draws our mind back to the ram that took the place of Isaac in Genesis 22 when Abraham said in faith, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Again, Jesus took our place, wholly offering himself up for us as a sweet-smelling savor, but then asks us to take up our cross and follow Him, fully offering ourselves up, every piece cut up and the insides washed with water, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is our reasonable service. (Ephesians 5:1-2, Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1) Aaron and his sons were wholly devoted to the service of the Lord, and though the ram took their place in death, they offered themselves up for God’s service in life.

Eighthly, the consecration offering, which is new out of the sacrifices described in Leviticus chapters 1-7 but was commanded in Exodus 29. It functions as a peace offering essentially, except there’s a bizarre part added where blood is put on the priests’ ear, thumb and big toe. What’s that all about, huh? Well, there may be deeper reasoning than I have here, and if so, please inform me, but the priests are stepping into a place of authority. (That’s why it’s all on the right side. The right hand is the place of authority.) As leaders, their ear must be consecrated so that they hear what the Lord is speaking and can discern what the people say. Their right thumb is what enables them to hold and to grasp and to pick up, and every action they take must be consecrated in this way. The right big toe is what they lead with whenever they walk anywhere, and wherever they go must be consecrated before the Lord. What a beautiful reminder for us. Finally, they wave the offering before the Lord, and heave Moses’s part, and partake of this sacrifice. With the unleavened bread, the categories of sin offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings, and grain offerings are all represented in the inaugural ceremony of the priests and they partake of this before the Lord. At this point, Moses also sprinkles them with oil and blood--the mingled oil and blood applied is necessary for them to approach the Lord, cleansed and set apart for His service, but now fully able to partake of the glorious sacrifices provided for by the Lord.

Ninthly and lastly, there is the poignant commandment to stay in the Tabernacle for seven days until the days of consecration are complete. What does the seven days remind you of? I think the seven days motif is always designed to throw us back to the initial creation, in which after seven days God completed His work, and on the eighth day, there was a new beginning! More on that in the next chapter, but, of course, God is instituting a priesthood for the first time--something new is being created in Israel, and they must abide in the Tabernacle for seven days until the consecration is completed. Then on the eighth day, God’s glory will fall. Interestingly enough, when Jesus rose from the dead on the 3rd day, He appeared to His disciples for 40 more days, making 43 days after Passover, then told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Then when the day of Pentecost was fully come, (50 days after Passover when Jesus died), they were all with one accord in one place and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost! By my reckoning, they were tarrying for seven days until their priesthood was established. More on that in chapter 9.

What’s the application for us? I submit for your consideration, that once we’ve been baptized in water, and clothed with righteousness and anointed with the Holy Ghost and the blood has been applied to our lives...we are then asked to abide in the presence of God until the end. Until the completion, we are to stay in the house of God, consecrating ourselves before the Lord for His service. Isn’t that a great picture for our lives?

This has been far longer than I anticipated, but I believe in studying something that may seem obscure and irrelevant to us--the consecration of the Old Testament Levitical priests--we can see, just as when we turn a jewel a different way to catch the light in a dazzling new display, a picture of who and what we are called to be in just a slightly different way than we may have seen before, and be reminded of what Jesus has fulfilled for us, enabling us to approach as kings and priests to God!

Reconciled Resurrection Accounts

This is a project I worked on a few years ago, to reconcile all the accounts of Jesus's resurrection. The four gospels tell essentially the same story, but some of the gospel writers choose to include or omit details as it serves their particular purpose and audience. I decided to reconcile all the accounts and though it has sat in a Word Document on my computer for several years, I thought it would be appropriate to share it now. I read it recently and it built my faith just reading it! So enjoy.

Resurrection accounts:

(Taken from Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-31; John 21:1-25; Acts 1:3-12 and 1 Corinthians 15:4b-7.  Added words are in brackets.  Only redundant words taken out.)

            Now in the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, and very early in the morning when it was yet dark, cometh Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And certain others with them and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  And they said among themselves, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” For it was very great.

            And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. He [Jesus] rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

            They [all the women] came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away from the sepulchre. And found not the body of the Lord Jesus

            Then she [Mary Magdalene] runneth [to tell Peter and John.]

            And they [the other women] entered into the sepulchre, and they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and they were affrighted.  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, and he [the young man in a white garment] saith unto them, “Be not affrighted:” And the angel answered and said unto the women, “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified.”  They [the angels] said unto them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” And they remembered his words.  [And the angel said,] “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  Behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, and go quickly, and tell his disciples and Peter that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.  Lo, I have told you.”  And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

            And [Mary Magdalene] cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.” Then arose Peter therefore and went forth, and that other disciple, and ran unto the sepulchre.  So they ran both together:

            Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, “Say ye, ‘His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.’ And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.”  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

                And many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

            And the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and stooping down, and went into the sepulchre, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass, and he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home and departed.  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” She saith unto them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

            And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Now when Jesus was risen he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. Jesus saith unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?”

            She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, “Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”

            Jesus saith unto her, “Mary.”

            She turned herself, and saith unto him, “Rabboni;” which is to say, ‘Master.’

            Jesus saith unto her, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

            And they [the other women] departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “All hail.” And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, “Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

            And [the women] returned, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest as they mourned and wept.  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.  Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.  And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

            After that he appeared in another form unto two of them that same day, as they walked, and went into the country.  And, behold, [they] went to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”

            And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, “Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days?”

            And he said unto them, “What things?”

            And they said unto him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.”

            Then he said unto them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

            And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, “Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And he went in to tarry with them.

            And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

            And he was seen of Cephas.

            And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.” And they went and told it unto the residue: And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. neither believed they them.

            Then of the twelve.  Afterward then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, and as they thus spake, Jesus himself appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and stood in the midst of them and saith unto them, “Peace be unto you.”  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, “Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.  “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, “Peace be unto you.”

            And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, “Have ye here any meat?” And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”

            Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 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 shall 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, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

            And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

            But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said unto them, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

            And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace be unto you.” Then saith he to Thomas, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.”

            And Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God.”

            Jesus saith unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

            Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee.

            After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

            There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, “I go a fishing.” They say unto him, “We also go with thee.”

            They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, “Children, have ye any meat?” They answered him, “No.” And he said unto them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, “It is the Lord.”

            Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, “Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.” Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, “Come and dine.” And none of the disciples durst ask him, ‘Who art thou?’ knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

            So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

            He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”

            He saith unto him, “Feed my lambs.”

            He saith to him again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”

            He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”

            He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep.”

            He saith unto him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”

            Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ And he said unto him, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”

            Jesus saith unto him, “Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, “Follow me.” Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, ‘Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?’ Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, “Lord, and what shall this man do?”

            Jesus saith unto him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, ‘He shall not die;’ but, ‘If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?’ This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

            Then the eleven disciples went into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

            And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

            And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and they worshipped him.  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, “which,” saith he, “ye have heard of 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” And he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

            And it came to pass, while he blessed them, and when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was parted from them, [and] he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight and [he was] carried up into heaven. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

            And while they looked stedfastly 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.”

            Then returned they unto Jerusalem with great joy from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

            And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen