God's New Revelations

The Acts of the Apostles

Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

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- Chapter 1 -

(Luke 1:1–4)
1
The former book I wrote, Theophilus, told all that Jesus began to do and to teach,
2
until the day that he was received up. This was after he had given a command through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
3
After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them with many convincing proofs. For forty days he appeared to them, and he spoke about the kingdom of God.
4
When he was meeting together with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, about which, he said, “You heard from me
5
that John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

The Ascension

(Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–53)
6
When they were assembled together they asked him, “Lord, is this the time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7
He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has determined by his own authority.
8
But you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9
When the Lord Jesus had said these things, as they were looking up, he was raised up, and a cloud hid him from their eyes.
10
While they were looking intensely to heaven as he went, suddenly, two men stood by them in dazzling white clothing.
11
They said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into heaven? This Jesus who ascended up into heaven will return in the same manner as you saw him going into heaven.”

Matthias Replaces Judas

12
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near to Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
13
When they arrived, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were staying. They were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
14
They were all united as one, as they diligently continued in prayer. Included were the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15
In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers, about 120 people, and said,
16
“Brothers, it was necessary that the scripture should be fulfilled, that the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who guided the ones who arrested Jesus.
17
For he was one of us and received his share of the benefits of this ministry.”
18
Now this man bought a field with the earnings he received for his wickedness, and there he fell headfirst, and his body burst open, and all his intestines poured out.
19
All those living in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language “Akeldama,” that is, “Field of Blood.”
20
“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ’Let his field be made desolate, and do not let even one person live there’; ‘Let someone else take his position of leadership.’
21
It is necessary, therefore, that one of the men who accompanied us all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22
beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was taken up from us, must be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23
They put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also named Justus, and Matthias.
24
They prayed and said, “You, Lord, know the hearts of all people, so reveal which of these two is the one whom you have chosen
25
to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas transgressed to go to his own place.”
26
They cast lots for them; and the lot fell to Matthias and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
(Luke 1:1–4)
1
The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
2
until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3
To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom.
4
Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.
5
For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension

(Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–53)
6
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7
He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.
8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9
When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10
While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold,(a) two men stood by them in white clothing,
11
who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

Matthias Replaces Judas

12
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath days journey away.
13
When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14
All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15
In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,
16
“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
17
For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry.
18
Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed out.
19
It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’
20
For it is written in the book of Psalms,Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it;’(b) and,Let another take his office.’(c)
21
Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22
beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23
They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
24
They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen
25
to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”
26
They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

Footnotes

(a)1:10 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
(b)1:20 ℘ Psalms 69:25
(c)1:20 ℘ Psalms 109:8