Purpose of Writing

1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2Until the day in which he was taken up, after he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3To whom also he showed 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:

Wait for Power to Witness

4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.

5For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.

6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.

8But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus Ascends and Will Return

9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11Who also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

Prayer in the Upper Room

12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13And 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 the Zealot, and Judas the brother of James.

14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about a hundred and twenty,)

16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his insides gushed out.

19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; since that field is called in their proper tongue, Akeldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his office let another take.

21Therefore of these men who have accompanied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22Beginning 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.

23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which of these two you have chosen,

25That he may take part in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26And they cast their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.