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Jesus speaks to his apostles and he goes up to heaven

1 Jesus did many things when he was living on earth. He also taught people many things. I told you about all these things in the first book that I wrote for you, Theophilus. ^{[ a ]} ² Those are the things that Jesus did before God took him up into heaven. Jesus had chosen some men to be his apostles. With the power of the Holy Spirit he told them what they must do. ³ After Jesus died on the cross, he became alive again. During the 40 days after that, he showed himself many times to his apostles. He showed himself in different ways. Then they could be really sure that he was alive again. During this time, Jesus spoke to his apostles about the kingdom of God. ^{[ b ]}

⁴ One time, when Jesus and his apostles were together, he said to them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem yet. You must wait there until you receive my Father's gift. My Father promised to give it to you. I have already told you about it. ⁵ John baptized people with water, but after a few days God will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

⁶ While Jesus' apostles were together with him, they asked him, ‘Lord, at this time will you now give the kingdom back to us, the people of Israel?’

⁷ Jesus replied, ‘My Father decides when things will happen in the world. You do not need to know the day or the time when this will happen. ⁸ But the Holy Spirit will come to you, and he will give you power. The Holy Spirit will make your spirit strong. Then you will tell other people everywhere in the world about me. You will do that in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria and in places far away.’

⁹ When Jesus had finished speaking to his apostles, God took him up to heaven. The apostles watched Jesus while he went up. Then a cloud hid him and they could not see him any more.

¹⁰ The apostles were still looking carefully up into the sky when suddenly two men appeared. ^{[ c ]} They were wearing white clothes and they stood near the apostles.

¹¹ The men said to the apostles, ‘You men from Galilee, you should not still be standing here and looking up into the sky. God has taken Jesus into heaven. You saw the way that Jesus went up to heaven. One day, he himself will return in the same way.’

The apostles choose Matthias

¹² Then the apostles left the Mount of Olives. ^{[ d ]} They returned to Jerusalem. This was a walk of about 1 kilometre. ¹³ When the apostles arrived back in Jerusalem, they went to their room. The room where they were staying was upstairs. Those apostles were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; also James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, the son of James. ^{[ e ]}

¹⁴ All these apostles often met together to pray. Mary who was Jesus' mother, other women and Jesus' brothers also met with them. ¹⁵ One day, about 120 people who believed in Jesus were meeting together. Peter stood up and he said to them, ¹⁶ ‘My friends, long ago, the Holy Spirit gave King David a message to speak from God. ^{[ f ]} He spoke about the things that Judas would do. Judas was the one who showed the soldiers how to catch Jesus. These things had to happen in the way that David wrote in the Bible long ago. ^{[ g ]} ¹⁷ Judas belonged to our group of disciples. Jesus chose him to work together with us.’

¹⁸ Judas received some money for the bad thing that he did. He bought a field with that money. But he fell down in that field and he died. His body broke open and the inside parts of his body poured out. ¹⁹ All the people who lived in Jerusalem heard about his death. So they called that field ‘Akeldama’ in their own language. ‘Akeldama’ means ‘The Field of Blood’. ^{[ h ]}

²⁰ Peter then said, ‘This is what King David wrote in the book of Psalms:

“Let the house that he lived in become empty,
so that nobody lives in it.” ^{[ i ]}
David also wrote:
“Let somebody else do the job which he did.” ’ ^{[ j ]}

²¹ Peter then said, ‘Because of this, we must choose another man instead of Judas. That man must have been one of our group all the time that the Lord Jesus was with us. ²² That is, from the time when John was baptizing people until the time when Jesus went up to heaven. He must be someone who saw Jesus become alive again after he died, as we did.’

²³ So the apostles agreed the names of two men. One of them was Joseph. People also called him Barsabbas and sometimes people called him Justus. The other man was called Matthias. ²⁴ Then the whole group prayed, ‘Lord, you know what everybody is really like. Please show us which man you have chosen. ²⁵ Which of these two men do you want to be an apostle instead of Judas? Judas left his work as an apostle. He has now gone to the place where he belongs.’

²⁶ Then the group used lots to choose the name of one man. It happened that they chose Matthias. So Matthias now became the 12th apostle, together with the other 11 men.

Footnotes

1:1 That first book is called ‘Luke’.
1:3 We can read about this in Luke 24 .
1:10 We think that these men were angels.
1:12 All this happened on the east side of the Mount of Olives. This hill is between Jerusalem and the town of Bethany. Olive trees grow there.
1:13 A Zealot was someone who fought for his government or against the Roman government.
1:16 David was a great king of Israel's people, about 1,000 years before Christ came to this earth. See 1 Samuel 16:1-13 ; 2 Samuel 7:8-9 ; 8:15 .
1:16 We can read more about what Judas did in Luke 22 .
1:19 We can read about Judas and the money in Matthew 27:3-7 .
1:20 See Psalms 69:25 .
1:20 See Psalms 109:8 .

Luke Writes Another Book

1 Dear Theophilus,

The first book I wrote was about everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning ² until the day he was carried up into heaven. Before he went, he talked to the apostles he had chosen. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he told them what they should do. ³ This was after his death, but he showed them that he was alive, proving it to them in many ways. The apostles saw Jesus many times during the 40 days after he was raised from death. He spoke to them about God’s kingdom. ⁴ One time when Jesus was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “Wait here until you receive what the Father promised to send. Remember, I told you about it before. ⁵ John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Carried Up Into Heaven

⁶ The apostles were all together. They asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time for you to give the people of Israel their kingdom again?”

⁷ Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only one who has the authority to decide dates and times. They are not for you to know. ⁸ But the Holy Spirit will come on you and give you power. You will be my witnesses. You will tell people everywhere about me—in Jerusalem, in the rest of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”

⁹ After Jesus said this, he was lifted up into the sky. While they were watching, he went into a cloud, and they could not see him. ¹⁰ They were staring into the sky where he had gone. Suddenly two men wearing white clothes were standing beside them. ¹¹ They said, “Men from Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? You saw Jesus carried away from you into heaven. He will come back in the same way you saw him go.”

A New Apostle Is Chosen

¹² Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. This mountain is about a half mile ^{[ a ]} from Jerusalem. ¹³ When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. These are the ones who were there: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (the son of Alphaeus), Simon, the Zealot, and Judas (the son of James).

¹⁴ The apostles were all together. They were constantly praying with the same purpose. Some women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were there with the apostles.

¹⁵ After a few days there was a meeting of the believers. There were about 120 of them. Peter stood up and said, ^16-17 “Brothers and sisters, in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David that something must happen. He was talking about Judas, one of our own group. Judas served together with us. The Spirit said that Judas would lead men to arrest Jesus.”

¹⁸ (Judas was paid money for doing this. His money was used to buy him a field. But he fell on his head, his body broke open, and all his intestines poured out. ¹⁹ And all the people of Jerusalem learned about this. That is why they named that field Akeldama, which in their language means “field of blood.”)

²⁰ Peter said, “In the book of Psalms, this is written about Judas:

‘People should not go near his land;
no one should live there.’ ^{( A )}

And it is also written:

‘Let another man have his work.’ ^{( B )}

^21-22 “So now another man must join us and be a witness of Jesus’ resurrection. He must be one of those men who were part of our group during all the time the Lord Jesus was with us. He must have been with us from the time John was baptizing people until the day when Jesus was carried up from us into heaven.”

²³ They put two men before the group. One was Joseph Barsabbas. He was also called Justus. The other man was Matthias. ^24-25 They prayed, “Lord, you know the minds of all people. Show us which one of these two men you choose to do this work. Judas turned away from it and went where he belongs. Lord, show us which man should take his place as an apostle!” ²⁶ Then they used lots to choose one of the two men. The lots showed that Matthias was the one the Lord wanted. So he became an apostle with the other eleven.

Footnotes

Acts 1:12 half a mile Literally, “a Sabbath day’s journey.”

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.

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, ^{( A )} Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ^{( B )} ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, ^{( C )} after giving instructions ^{( D )} through the Holy Spirit to the apostles ^{( E )} he had chosen. ^{( F )} ³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them ^{( G )} over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ^{( H )} ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait ^{( I )} for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ^{( J )} ⁵ For John baptized with ^{[ a ]} water, ^{( K )} but in a few days you will be baptized with ^{[ b ]} the Holy Spirit.” ^{( L )}

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore ^{( M )} the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ^{( N )} ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; ^{( O )} and you will be my witnesses ^{( P )} in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, ^{( Q )} and to the ends of the earth.” ^{( R )}

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up ^{( S )} before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white ^{( T )} stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” ^{( U )} they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back ^{( V )} in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem ^{( W )} from the hill called the Mount of Olives, ^{( X )} a Sabbath day’s walk ^{[ c ]} from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room ^{( Y )} where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ^{( Z )} ¹⁴ They all joined together constantly in prayer, ^{( AA )} along with the women ^{( AB )} and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ^{( AC )}

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers and sisters, ^{[ d ]} ^{( AD )} the Scripture had to be fulfilled ^{( AE )} in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, ^{( AF )} who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ He was one of our number ^{( AG )} and shared in our ministry.” ^{( AH )}

¹⁸ (With the payment ^{( AI )} he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; ^{( AJ )} there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language ^{( AK )} Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’ ^{[ e ]} ^{( AL )}

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’ ^{[ f ]} ^{( AM )}

²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism ^{( AN )} to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness ^{( AO )} with us of his resurrection.”

²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, ^{( AP )} “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. ^{( AQ )} Show us ^{( AR )} which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. ^{( AS )}

Footnotes

Acts 1:5 Or in
Acts 1:5 Or in
Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters ( adelphoi ) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8

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Table of Contents

Jesus speaks to his apostles and he goes up to heaven

The apostles choose Matthias

Footnotes

Luke Writes Another Book

Jesus Is Carried Up Into Heaven

A New Apostle Is Chosen

Footnotes

Cross references

Introduction

The Ascension

The Upper Room

Footnotes

Cross references

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Footnotes

Cross references

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Acts 1's Chapter Tabs Scroll past these tabs to continue or click on one of them to navigate out of this webpage.

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Jesus speaks to his apostles and he goes up to heaven

The apostles choose Matthias

Footnotes

Luke Writes Another Book

Jesus Is Carried Up Into Heaven

A New Apostle Is Chosen

Footnotes

Cross references

Introduction

The Ascension

The Upper Room

Footnotes

Cross references

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Footnotes

Cross references

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Scroll past these tabs to continue or click on one of them to navigate out of this webpage.