*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 Judæa, 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.