Lessons for April 15, 2007 – Second Sunday of Easter The first lesson Acts 5:27-32 Then they brought the apostles in before the council. [28] "Didn't we tell you never again to teach in this man's name?" the high priest demanded. "Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about Jesus, and you intend to blame us for his death!" [29] But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority. [30] The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by crucifying him. [31] Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this to give the people of Israel an opportunity to turn from their sins and turn to God so their sins would be forgiven. [32] We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him." (NLT) Psalm 150 L. Praise the Lord! Praise God in his heavenly dwelling; C. praise him in his mighty heaven! L. Praise him for his mighty works; C. praise his unequaled greatness! L. Praise him with a blast of the trumpet; C. praise him with the lyre and harp! L. Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; C. praise him with stringed instruments and flutes! L. Praise him with a clash of cymbals; C. praise him with loud clanging cymbals. L. Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord! C. Praise the Lord! (NLT) The second lesson Revelation 1:4-8 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; [5] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the world. All praise to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. [6] He has made us his kingdom and his priests who serve before God his Father. Give to him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen! [7] Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the earth will weep because of him. Yes! Amen! [8] "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One." (NLT) The Gospel Lesson John 20:19-31 That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! "Peace be with you," he said. [20] As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his side. They were filled with joy when they saw their Lord! [21] He spoke to them again and said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." [22] Then he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven." [24] One of the disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. [25] They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side." [26] Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. He said, "Peace be with you." [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" [28] "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. [29] Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway." [30] Jesus' disciples saw him do many other miraculous signs besides the ones recorded in this book. [31] But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life. (NLT)