Acts 1

1I composed the first account, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began both to do and to teach.

2until the day when he was taken up, after commanding the apostles through the Holy Spirit whom he had chosen.

3To them he also presented himself alive after his suffering, by many sure proofs over forty days, appearing to them and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4While gathered with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

5For John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not after these many days.

6So when they had assembled, they asked him, saying, “Lord, are you at this time restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has appointed in his own authority."

8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, both in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

9And after saying these things, while they watched, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him from their eyes.

10And as they were gazing intently into heaven as he departed, suddenly two men stood beside them in white clothing.

11who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him going into heaven."

12Then they turned back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

13And when they entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, both Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

14These all were devoting themselves to prayer with one mind, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15And in these days, Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of names together was about one hundred twenty), and said.

16Men, brothers, this scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became guide to those who seized Jesus.

17Because he was counted among us and received a share of this ministry.

18Now he indeed acquired a field from the reward of unrighteousness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his intestines gushed out.

19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that field was called Akeldama in their own language—that is, Field of Blood.

20For it has been written in the book of Psalms, "Let his dwelling become desolate, and let no one dwell in it; let another take his office."

21Therefore it must be one of the men who went with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus came and went among us.

22starting from John's baptism until the day he was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.

23And they put forward two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24They prayed and said, “Lord, you who know all hearts, show the one you chose from these two.”

25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.

26And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.