1The first book I wrote, Theophilus, was about everything Jesus began to do and teach,
2up until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before that, through the Holy Spirit, he had given instructions to the apostles he had chosen.
3After his suffering, he showed himself to them with many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God.
4While he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, about which you have heard me speak.
5John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After he said this, while they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he went, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
11“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.”
12Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, which is a Sabbath day's walk from the city.
13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James.
14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15During this time, Peter stood up in a meeting of the believers (about 120 people were there) and said,
16“Brothers, it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus.
17He was one of our group and was chosen to share in this ministry.”
18This man bought a field with the money he got for his wicked act. He fell headfirst, his body burst open, and all his insides spilled out.
19Everyone in Jerusalem found out about this, so they called the field 'Akeldama,' which means 'Field of Blood' in their language.
20For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let his home become empty, and let no one live in it.’ And also: ‘Let someone else take his position.’
21“So we need to choose one of the men who were with us the entire time the Lord Jesus lived among us,
22from when John baptized him until the day he was taken up from us. This person must join us as a witness of his resurrection.”
23They suggested two men: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas (also known as Justus), and Matthias.
24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s hearts. Show us which of these two you have chosen
25to take on the work and role as an apostle that Judas abandoned to go to his own place.”
26They cast lots to decide, and the lot fell on Matthias, so he became one of the eleven apostles.