[1] The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both
to do and to teach, [2] until the day in which he was received up, after he
had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had
chosen. [3] To these he also showed himself alive after his suffering by
many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and spoke about
God`s kingdom. [4] Being assembled together with them, he charged them,
"Don`t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which
you heard from me. [5] For John indeed baptized with water, but you will be
baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now." [6] Therefore, when
they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the
kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them, "It isn`t for you to know times or
seasons which the Father has set within His own authority. [8] But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you. You will be witnesses
to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of
the earth." [9] When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was
taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. [10] While they were
looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them
in white clothing, [11] who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you
stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into
the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."
[12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which
is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day`s journey away. [13] When they had come
in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were staying; that is
Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the
son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. [14] All
these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication,
with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. [15]
In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and there was
a multitude of persons gathered together, about one hundred twenty), and
said, [16] "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be
fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David
concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. [17] For he was
numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry. [18] Now this
man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling
headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. [19] It
became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that
field was called `Akeldama,` that is, `The field of blood.` [20] For it is
written in the book of Psalms, `Let his habitation be made desolate, Let
no one dwell therein,` and, `Let another take his office.` [21] Of the
men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went
in and went out among us, [22] beginning from the baptism of John, to the
day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness
with us of his resurrection." [23] They put forward two, Joseph called
Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] They prayed, and
said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these
two you have chosen [25] to take part in this ministry and apostleship from
which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place." [26] They drew
lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the
eleven apostles.
