Chapter 1

1Theophilus, in my first account I wrote about everything Jesus began to do and teach

2until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before that, through God’s Holy Spirit, he gave instructions to the apostles he had chosen.

3After his suffering and death, Jesus appeared to these apostles and gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive. They saw him over a period of forty days, and he spoke to them about God’s reign.

4While Jesus was gathered with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “Wait there for what the Father promised—the promise you heard from me.

5John baptized people in water, but in just a few days you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.”

6When the apostles gathered with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you going to restore Israel’s kingdom now?”

7Jesus answered them, “You are not meant to know the times or appointed moments that the Father has set by his own authority.

8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. You will tell people about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and all the way to the farthest parts of the earth.”

9After Jesus said this, he was lifted up while they watched, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

10As they stared into the sky while he was going, two men in white clothes suddenly stood beside them.

11The men said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”

12Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. It was near Jerusalem, about the distance people were permitted to walk on a Sabbath.

13When they entered the city, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon known as the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

14All of them devoted themselves to prayer with one purpose. Some women were with them, along with Mary, Jesus’ mother, and Jesus’ brothers.

15During those days, Peter stood up among the community of believers. About 120 people were gathered there, and he said,

16“My brothers and sisters, the words of Scripture had to be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through David about Judas, who guided the people who arrested Jesus.

17Judas was counted as one of us and was given his share in this work of service.”

18Judas acquired a field with the payment he received for his wrongdoing. He fell headfirst, his body burst open in the middle, and all his internal organs spilled out.

19Everyone living in Jerusalem heard about this. As a result, in their own language they called that field Hakeldamach, which means “Field of Blood.”

20Peter continued, “The book of Psalms says, ‘May his home become deserted, with no one living in it,’ and, ‘Let someone else take over his responsibility.’

21So we must choose one of the men who accompanied us the entire time the Lord Jesus lived and traveled among us,

22beginning when John was baptizing people and continuing until the day Jesus was taken up from us. One of these men must join us in telling others that Jesus rose from the dead.”

23The group put forward two men: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.

24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two men you have chosen

25to take Judas’s place in this work of service as an apostle. Judas abandoned it and went to his own place.”

26Then they cast lots to decide between the two men. The lot fell to Matthias, and he was added to the eleven apostles.