“1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus
began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up,
after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the
apostles whom he had chosen: 3 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: 4
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. 5 For John truly
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence.”
“6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 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. 8 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. 9 And when he had spoken these
things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out
of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he
went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 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.”
“12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were
come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and
James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and
Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the
brother] of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his
brethren.”
“15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples,
and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and
twenty,) 16 Men [and] brethren, this scripture must needs have been
fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before
concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was
numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this
man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong,
he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it
was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is
called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of
blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another
take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the
time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the
baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must
one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they
appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and
Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the
hearts of all [men], shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That
he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by
transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave
forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered
with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:1-26 AV)
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