- In my first book , O Theophilus , I wrote about all that Jesus - began - to do and to teach ,
until the day He was taken up (to heaven) , after giving instructions through (the) Holy Spirit to the apostles - He had chosen.
After His - suffering , He presented Himself to (them) - with many convincing proofs (that) He was alive. He appeared to them over (a span ) of forty days and spoke - about the kingdom - of God.
And while they were gathered together , He commanded them : vvv “ Do not leave ... Jerusalem , but wait for the (gift) the Father promised , which you have heard Me ( discuss ).
For ... John - baptized with water , but vvv in a few days - - you will be baptized with (the) Holy Spirit. ”
So - (when) they came together , they asked Him - , “ Lord , {will You} at this - time vvv restore the kingdom - to Israel ? ”
- (Jesus) replied ... ... , “ It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own - authority.
But you will receive power (when) the Holy Spirit comes upon you , and you will be My witnesses - in Jerusalem , and in all - Jude -a and Samaria , and to (the) ends of the earth. ”
(After) He had said this , they watched as He was taken up , and a cloud hid Him from their - sight.
- - They were looking intently into the sky as He was going , (when) suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
“ Men of Galilee , ” - - 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 in the same way ... you have seen Him go into - heaven. ”
Then they returned to Jerusalem from (the) Mount - of Olives , which is near (the city) , a Sabbath day’s journey away.
- When they arrived , they went to the upper room where they were staying : - - Peter - and John - , - James - and Andrew , Philip and Thomas , Bartholomew and Matthew - , James - (son) of Alphaeus , - Simon the Zealot , and Judas (son) of James -.
With one accord they - all continued - in prayer , along with (the) women and Mary the mother - of Jesus , and with - His brothers.
- In those - days Peter - stood up vvv among the brothers - ( a gathering of ... - about a hundred (and) twenty ) - (and) - said ,
“ vvv Brothers , the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the - Holy Spirit foretold through (the) mouth of David concerning Judas , who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
- He was one of our number and shared ... ... in this - ministry. ”
( Now - with (the) reward for (his) wickedness (Judas) bought a field ; (there) he fell headlong and burst open in (the) middle , and all his - intestines spilled out.
- (This) became known to all - who lived in Jerusalem , so they called that - field in their own language Akeldama , that is , Field of Blood.)
“ For it is written in (the) book of Psalm -s : ‘ {May} his - place be deserted ; - let there be no (one) to dwell in it ,’ and , ‘ {May} another take his - position.’
Therefore it is necessary (to choose) one of the men who have accompanied us vvv (the) whole time - the Lord Jesus went in and out among us ,
beginning from John -’s - baptism until the day - (Jesus) was taken up from us. (For) one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection. ”
(So) they proposed two (men) : Joseph - called Barsabbas ( - (also) known as Justus) and Matthias.
And they prayed - , “ Lord , You know everyone’s heart .... Show (us) which ... of these - two You have chosen
to take up ... ... - this ministry and apostleship , - which Judas abandoned to go to his - (rightful) place. ”
Then they cast lots ... , and the lot fell to Matthias ; (so) he was added to the eleven apostles.