1The first account I indeed have written, O Theophilus, concerning all things that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2Until the day in which He was taken up, after giving command by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen; 3To whom also, by many infallible proofs, He presented Himself alive after He had suffered, being seen by them for forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God.

4And while they were assembled with Him, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to "await the promise of the Father, which," He said, "you have heard of Me. 5For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit after not many days."

6So then, when they were assembled together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?" 7And He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has placed in His own authority; 8But you yourselves shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the ends of the earth."

9And after saying these things, as they were looking at Him, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10Now while they were gazing intently up into heaven as He was going up, two men in white apparel suddenly stood by them, 11Who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, shall come in exactly the same manner as you have seen Him go into heaven."

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, being about the distance of a Sabbath's journey. 13And after entering Jerusalem, they went up into the upper chamber, where both Peter and James were staying; and John and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, the son of Alpheus, and Simon the Zealot; and Jude, the brother of James. 14All these were steadfastly continuing with one accord in prayer and supplications, together with the women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

15And in those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (now the number of names together was about a hundred and twenty) and said, 16"Men and brethren, it was necessary for this scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who took Jesus; 17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained a part of this ministry. 18(Now then, this man acquired a field with the reward of unrighteousness, and after falling headlong burst in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so that this field is called in their own language Aceldama that is, 'The field of blood. ')

20For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation become desolate, and let there not be anyone dwelling in it'; and, 'Let another take his overseership. '

21Therefore, it is obligatory that from those men who have accompanied us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which He was taken up from us, one of these shall become a witness with us of His resurrection." 23Then they put forth two: Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus; and Matthias. 24And they prayed, saying, "You, Lord, the Knower of the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have personally chosen 25To receive the part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas in transgressing fell, to go to his own place." 26Then they cast their lots; and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.