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 Alphæus, 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.

1The former treatise haue I made, O Theophilus, of al that Iesus began both to doe and teach,

2Untill the day in which hee was taken vp, after that he through the holy Ghost had giuen commaundements vnto the Apostles, whom he had chosen.

3To whom also he shewed himselfe aliue after his passion, by many infallible proofes, being seene of them fourty dayes, and speaking of the things perteining to the kingdome of God:

4And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Hierusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye haue heard of me.

5For Iohn truely baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost, not many dayes hence.

6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore againe the kingdome to Israel?

7And he said vnto them, It is not for you to knowe the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his owne power.

8But ye shall receiue power after that the holy Ghost is come vpon you, and ye shall be witnesses vnto me, both in Hierusalem, and in all Iudea, and in Samaria, and vnto the vttermost part of the earth.

9And when hee had spoken these things, while they beheld, hee was taken vp, and a cloud receiued him out of their sight.

10And while they looked stedfastly toward heauen, as he went vp, behold, two men stood by them in white apparell,

11Which also said, Yee men of Galililee, why stand yee gazing vp into heauen? This same Iesus, which is taken vp from you into heauen, shall so come, in like maner as yee haue seene him goe into heauen.

12Then returned they vnto Hierusalem, from the mount called Oliuet, which is from Hierusalem a Sabbath dayes iourney.

13And when they were come in, they went vp into an vpper roome, where abode both Peter & Iames, & Iohn, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, Iames the sonne of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Iudas the brother of Iames.

14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Iesus, and with his brethen.

15 And in those dayes Peter stood vp in the mids of the disciples, and said, (The number of names together were about an hundred and twentie)

16Men and brethren, This Scripture must needs haue beene fulfilled, which the holy Ghost by the mouth of Dauid spake before concerning Iudas, which was guide to them þt took Iesus.

17For hee was numbred with vs, and had obtained part of this ministerie.

18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the mids, and all his bowels gushed out.

19And it was knowen vnto all the dwellers at Hierusalem, insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20For it is written in the booke of Psalmes, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: And his Bishopricke let another take.

21Wherefore of these men which haue companied with vs all the time that the Lord Iesus went in and out among vs,

22Beginning from the baptisme of Iohn, vnto that same day that he was taken vp from vs, must one be ordained to be a witnesse with vs of his resurrection.

23And they appointed two, Ioseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Iustus, and Matthias.

24And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25That hee may take part of this ministerie and Apostleship, from which Iudas by transgression fell, that hee might goe to his owne place.

26And they gaue foorth their lots, and the lot fell vpon Matthias, and hee was numbred with the eleuen Apostles.

I == Luke 1:3

II == Matt 28:19 ; Mark 16:15 , 19

III == Luke 24:36 ; JOhn 20:19 , 26 ; 1st Cor 15:5

IV == John 14:16 , 26-27 ; 15:26 ; 16:7 ; Acts 2:33

V == Joel 3:18 ; Matt 3:11 ; Acts 2:4 ; 11:15-16 ; 19:4

VI == Isa 1:26 ; Matt 24:3

VII == Matt 24:36 ; Mark 13:32 ; 1st Thess 5:1

VIII == Luke 24:48-49

X == Matt 28:3 ; Mark 16:5

XI == Dan 7:13 ; Luke 21:27 ; John 14:3

XIV == Matt 13:55 ; Luke 23:49 , 55 ; 24:10 ; Acts 2:1 , 46

XVI == Ps 41:9 ; Luke 22:47 ; John 13:18 ; 18:3

XVII == Matt 10:4 ; Luke 6:16 ; Acts 1:25 ; 12:25 ; 20:24 ; 21:19

XVIII == Matt 26:15 ; 27:5 , 7-8 ; 2nd Peter 2:15

XX == Ps 69:25 ; 109:8

XXII == Mark 1:1 ; John 15:27 ; Acts 1:8-9 ; 4:33

XXIII == Acts 15:22

XXIV == 1st Sam 16:7 ; 1st Chr 28:9 ; 29:17 ; Jer 11:20 ; 17:10 ; Acts 15:8 ; Rev 2:23

XXV == Acts 1:17

 

 

 

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit." 6 When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven." 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 13 When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, 16 "My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. 18 He bought a parcel of land with the wages of his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. 19 This became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the parcel of land was called in their language 'Akeldama,' that is, Field of Blood. 20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it.' And: 'May another take his office.' 21 Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place." 26 Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.  

Witness:  The Greek word “martus” appears 29 times in the New Testament. It is translated Witness 29 times, Martyr 3 and Record 2.  The context in most cases indicate that we should understand the word witness for what it is, a witness. In a few cases regarding Paul in the last chapters of Acts it could be either witness or martyr, but the King James  appears to translate correctly as “witness”.

The Gospels finish the Old Testament  re. Christ. Acts is the bridge to the New.
v1. The former treatise  See Luke 1:1-4. Acts is the second volume of a two volume book, Luke-Acts. The Gospel of Luke is what Jesus began to do and teach. Acts is what He continued through the Holy Spirit.
v1. “I” Luke, a Gentile believer and physician and traveling companion of Paul is considered the author. In col. 4:14, 2 Tim. 4:11, Philemon. 24, he is consistently mentioned and the numerous “we” or “us” in Acts contribute to the thought(Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21; and 27:1-28:16). Some of his sources of material were undoubtedly written, some from visits with Apostles and others in Jerusalem, and much first hand from Paul. It is not “Acts of the Apostles” generally, but primarily of Paul and Peter showing the extension of the church through the northern Mediterranean to Rome.
v1. ”Theophilus” or “Most excellent Theophilus” of Luke 1:3 denotes an official or nobility. (Some think a Gentile governor of Syria or a high priest that became a Christian.) Perhaps a former pagan believer and originally written for his benefit, but millions of us have since been enlightened and blessed by these words.
v1. All Jesus began to do and teach.  In John 19:30 Jesus said “It is finished”. The work of redemption He had come to do was finished, but the work of evangelizing the world and teaching God’s Word had scarcely begun. In Col. 1:24 Paul felt obligated to fill up on his own part what Christ was unable to do, not in redemption, but in teaching etc., because this ministry of His terminated at His death.
v2. Until the day in ‘which He was taken up.  Perhaps better to say His teaching was interrupted at His death and terminated at His resurrection. His healing ministry apparently ended at His death. We have several records of his appearances after He arose, but little detail. Undoubtedly He gave concentrated teaching to the disciples in that remaining bit of time.
v2. Through the Holy Ghost.  This mention of the Holy Ghost is a reminder that Acts might better be named “The Acts of the Holy Ghost”. The growth of the church is His work that is continuing in our own midst.
v2. Chosen.  In a different sense, we too are chosen.
v3. Many infallible proofs. This is not hearsay. The lies the soldiers were paid to tell about his body did not hold. Untold numbers saw the risen Lord, proven beyond any doubt:
a. He walked and talked with them
b. He ate and drank with them.
c. He repeatedly showed wounds in hands feet and side.
d. He frequently appeared to many over 40 days. (only a few recorded.)
v3. Kingdom of God. There are similarities and overlapping features in the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. However in general, the Kingdom of God is made up only of believers and angelic beings willingly subject to God, whereas the Kingdom of Heaven includes both the saved as well as those who merely profess to be Christians. The Kingdom of Heaven is within the earthy sphere of the Kingdom of God. Much of the teaching concerned the Kingdom (Not just Messianic Kingdom, but all Kingdom of God.) These teachings were passed on to Ephesian elders by the disciples; Philip, Acts 8:12, Paul Acts 20:25 etc.
v4. Wait for the promise.  Lk. 24:49 & Jn. 14:16. See Joel 2:28 & Ezek. 36:27. Previously He asked them to watch and pray that they enter not into temptation, but they slept. Now He commands them to wait, but now (v14) they see the need of prayer.
They had been commanded to go into Galilee to meet Jesus, Mk. 16:7, which they did. Now they are commanded to go back to Jerusalem and wait. In v 6 they have returned to Jerusalem.  
v5. Baptize with water vs. Holy Ghost.  Many teachings of the Holy Spirit are now to be fulfilled. In Matt. 3:11 John was merely preparing the way for Christ. But through the Holy Ghost, Jn. 14:12, we will be doing greater works even than Christ. Christ breathed the Spirit on them, Jn. 20:22, as prelude to outpouring, Joel 2:28. Now we are baptized, or placed, into the body of Christ, Rom. 6:3, by the Holy Ghost the moment we receive Him as Savior.
v6. Restore the kingdom to Israel.  “When?” is a natural response to his past teachings. Jews thought of the Kingdom of God as an earthly political kingdom. (Remember the Triumphal entry.) After all his teaching, the disciples still found it difficult to think of a kingdom of spiritual power instead of earthly splendor.
v7. It is not for you to know.  He doesn’t rebuke them, just tells them it is not for them to know. See Mk. 13:32. What God has reserved for Himself let us leave to Him. We are to be concerned with obeying His will for today. The actual earthly kingdom will be preceded by the rapture, tribulation, Armageddon etc.
v8. Receive power. Previously powerless to stay awake and pray, powerless to understand, powerless from denying Christ - now to be powerful witnesses. (Witness is word for martyr. Tell the truth unto the death.)
v8. Jerusalem etc.  Witnessing began to Jerusalem Acts. 2:1, to Judea & Samaria, Acts 8:5, to uttermost part of the earth,  Acts 8:26. (Town, State, Worldwide.)
v9. Cloud received Him. Mt. 24:30; 1 Thess. 4:17 and Rev 1:7 seem to be clouds in the sky, but considering the Old Testament, this is probably not just mist, but the Shekinah glory cloud. In heaven he is still in His resurrection body. The nail prints will still show in His resurrected body. Our bodies will not show scars because we  are not resurrected in the same body but in new bodies, 1 Cor. 15:35-50.
v10. Looked steadfastly toward heaven. As you may watch an airplane disappear with a loved one and the empty feeling you have.
v10. Two men. Angels even in white apparel appear in masculine form, men.
v11. Ye men of Galilee.  They were reminded that for all their experiences, they were still just unlearned men (and women) of Galilee, yet chosen to serve the Lord. We too have no place for personal pride in serving the Lord.
v11. Gazing.  Wasted and idle frustration, as watching for that plane that is gone.
v11. So come in like manner.   This has been the blessed hope of the believer ever since. The second stage, coming in glory, particularly affects Israel and the world system.  Does not need to be a cloudy day. It might be cloudy over the mount of Olives but sunny elsewhere. Comment v9 on Shekinah glory cloud.
v12. Sabbath days journey, 1/2 to 3/4 mile.
v.12-14. In return to Jerusalem and the upper room to wait for the Spirit, one fact stands out, v14. They were with one accord in prayer and supplication. 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25 with selfishness of Mk. 10:35-37. Incidentally, upper rooms were large, lower rooms were small to support the upper room.
v15. The 120 included disciples, women, Jesus’ family and others. There were obviously many believers who were not present.
v16. Peter attributes the Psalms to the Holy Spirit.
v17-22. Judas hanged himself, may have suffered a fatal rupture, or probably the rope broke and he fell below. Peter explains need of 12th Apostle (Mt. 19:28 and Rev. 21:14. Sit on 12 thrones in the kingdom.) and requirement  “to have walked with Jesus from time of John’s baptism of Jesus till his resurrection. Paul could not meet this, though much was revealed to him through vision. The twelve had a ministry to the entire Jewish nation, and only after their final rejection at Stephen's death was Paul called to go to the Gentiles.

v23-26. They had prayed, v14, before nominating these two. The lot  fell.  Lot or urn. The method included two urns. One had both names, one had the office and a blank. Drew (or shook in urn and the first to fall out) from both urns at the same time to determine outcome. Not our method today, but God respected it at that time.  It is some times suggested that this should have gone to the Apostle Paul. He did have direct revelation from God, but had not physically walked with Jesus during His ministry