The Story Continues
The story of the young church after Jesus’ ascension—the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost and the gospel’s spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
1 1In my first book, Theophilus, I wrote about everything Jesus began to do and teach, 2until the day he was taken up, having given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself alive to them through many proofs, appearing to them forty days, speaking of our Father's kingdom. a a v3 The kingdom Jesus taught about is our Father's reign breaking into the world — the same reign he invited his disciples to live under and proclaim.
4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for my Father's promise — "which," he said, "you heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but within a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6So, gathered together, they asked, "Lord, will you restore the kingdom to Israel now?"
7He said to them, "You're not to know times or seasons that my Father has set by his own authority. 8But when the Holy Spirit falls on you, you'll gain power to be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and earth's farthest reaches."
9After he said these things, as they watched, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10As they stared into heaven while he went, suddenly two men in white clothes stood beside them. 11They said, "Galileans, why stare at the sky? This Jesus, taken from you into heaven, will return exactly as you saw him go."
A Witness Chosen in His Place
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, near Jerusalem, about a half-mile away. 13Entering, they went up to the upstairs room where they stayed: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these persisted together in prayer, with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (about 120 in all) and said, 16"Brothers, the Scripture the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David about Judas—who became guide to those who arrested Jesus—had to be fulfilled. 17For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. 18(This man bought a field with the pay for his wrongdoing, then fell headfirst, burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out." 19This became known to everyone living in Jerusalem, so the field was named in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.). 20"For it's written in the Book of Psalms: 'Let his camp become empty, with no one living there,' and 'Let another take his position.'
21So one of the men who accompanied us all along, while the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22from John's baptism until the day he was taken up from us — one of these must become with us a witness to his resurrection."
23And they put forward two — Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24They prayed and said, "You, Lord Jesus, who know all hearts, show which one of these two you chose, b b v24 The apostles pray to Jesus — the one who chose the original Twelve and now knows whom he is choosing to replace Judas. He alone is Lord of the apostolic calling. 25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship that Judas left to go to his own place. 26They cast lots for them; the lot fell to Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles." c c v26 Casting lots was an ancient practice — similar to drawing straws — used to let God determine the outcome.
