The episode opens with the standard introduction and the Acts 2 reading, beginning mid-speech with Peter addressing a crowd in Jerusalem. Peter identifies Jesus of Nazareth as God-attested by miracles, describes his crucifixion as within God's foreknowledge, and declares God raised him up because it was impossible for death to hold him. Peter then quotes a psalm about the Lord being at the speaker's right hand, the heart rejoicing, and the flesh not being abandoned to Hades or seeing corruption. He argues this cannot refer to David, because David died, was buried, and his tomb remains in Jerusalem to that day. Peter reasons that as a prophet who knew God's oath about a descendant on his throne, David was speaking of the Messiah's resurrection. Peter declares that all present are witnesses to Jesus having been raised. Psalm 16 is read in full. It opens with a plea for protection and a declaration of the Lord as the speaker's only good. The speaker describes delight in the godly, warns against those who follow other gods, and identifies the Lord as portion and cup. The psalm describes instruction received at night, the steadiness that comes from keeping the Lord at one's right hand, and closes with the promise that God will not abandon the speaker to the grave. First Peter 1 opens with a blessing to the God and Father of Jesus Christ, who has given believers a new birth into living hope through the resurrection. The inheritance is described as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. The letter acknowledges present suffering through various trials and frames this as a testing of faith more precious than refined gold. It addresses those who have not seen Christ but love him, and those who believe without seeing and rejoice with indescribable joy. John 20 begins with the evening of the first day of the week. The disciples are locked in a room out of fear. Jesus appears in the room and twice says peace be with you. He shows them his hands and side. He then breathes on them and grants the Holy Spirit and the authority to forgive or retain sins. Thomas was absent and refuses to believe without touching the wounds. A week later Jesus appears again with the doors shut, greets them with peace, and directly invites Thomas to put his finger in the nail marks and his hand in the side. Thomas responds with 'my Lord and my God.' Jesus says blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. The reading closes with John's statement that these signs are written so that readers may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
