001 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
002 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:
003 To 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:
004 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.
005 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
006 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
007 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.
008 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.
009 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
010 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
011 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.
012 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
013 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.
014 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
015 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,)
016 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.
017 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
018 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.
019 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.
020 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
021 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
022 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.
023 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
024 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
025 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
026 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.