Jesus Ascends to Heaven
1:1 I wrote1 the former2 account,3 Theophilus,4 about all that Jesus began to do and teach 1:2 until the day he was taken up to heaven,5 after he had given orders6 by7 the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 1:3 To the same apostles8 also, after his suffering,9 with many convincing proofs he presented himself alive. He was seen by them over a forty-day period10 and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. 1:4 While he was with them,11 he declared,12 “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there13 for what my14 Father promised,15 which you heard about from me.16 1:5 For17 John baptized with water, but you18 will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
1:6 So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him,19 “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 1:7 He told them, “You are not permitted to know20 the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts21 of the earth.” 1:9 After22 he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 1:10 As23 they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly24 two men in white clothing stood near them 1:11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here25 looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven26 will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”
A Replacement for Judas is Chosen
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain27 called the Mount of Olives28 (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey29 away). 1:13 When30 they had entered Jerusalem,31 they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter32 and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there.33 1:14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.34 1:15 In those days35 Peter stood up among the believers36 (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty people) and said, 1:16 “Brothers,37 the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through38 David concerning Judas—who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus— 1:17 for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry.”39 1:18 (Now this man Judas40 acquired a field with the reward of his unjust deed,41 and falling headfirst42 he burst open in the middle and all his bowels43 gushed out. 1:19 This44 became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own language45 they called the field46 Hakeldama, that is, “Field of Blood.”) 1:20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his house become deserted,47 and let there be no one to live in it,’48 and ‘Let another take his position of responsibility.’49 1:21 Thus one of the men50 who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus associated with51 us, 1:22 beginning from the baptism by John until the day he52 was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.” 1:23 So they proposed two candidates:53 Joseph called Barsabbas (also called Justus) and Matthias. 1:24 Then they prayed,54 “Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 1:25 to assume the task55 of this service56 and apostleship from which Judas turned aside57 to go to his own place.”58 1:26 Then59 they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias;60 so he was counted with the eleven apostles.61