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I composed the first discourse, O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach,

until that day in which, having by the Holy Spirit charged the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up;

to whom also he presented himself living, after he had suffered, with many proofs; being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of the things which concern the kingdom of God;

and, being assembled with [them], commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father, which [said he] ye have heard of me.

For John indeed baptised with water, but *ye* shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit after now not many days.

They therefore, being come together, asked him saying, Lord, is it at this time that thou restorest the kingdom to Israel?

And he said to them, It is not yours to know times or seasons, which the Father has placed in his own authority;

but ye will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

And having said these things he was taken up, they beholding [him], and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And as they were gazing into heaven, as he was going, behold, also two men stood by them in white clothing,

11 who also said, Men of Galilee, why do ye stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall thus come in the manner in which ye have beheld him going into heaven.

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called [the mount] of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath-day's journey off.

13 And when they were come into [the city], they went up to the upper chamber, where were staying both Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon the zealot, and Jude [the brother] of James.

14 These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with [several] women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter, standing up in the midst of the brethren, said, (the crowd of names [who were] together [was] about a hundred and twenty,)

16 Brethren, it was necessary that the scripture should have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus;

17 for he was numbered amongst us, and had received a part in this service.

18 (This [man] then indeed got a field with [the] reward of iniquity, and, having fallen down headlong, burst in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own dialect Aceldama; that is, field of blood.)

20 For it is written in [the] book of Psalms, Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it; and, Let another take his overseership.

21 It is necessary therefore, that of the men who have assembled with us all [the] time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which he was taken up from us, one of these should be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph, who was called Barsabas, who had been surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

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

25 to receive the lot of this service and apostleship, from which Judas transgressing fell to go to his own place.

26 And they gave lots on them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

And when the day of Pentecost was now accomplishing, they were all together in one place.

And there came suddenly a sound out of heaven as of a violent impetuous blowing, and filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared to them parted tongues, as of fire, and it sat upon each one of them.

And they were all filled with [the] Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave to them to speak forth.

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, pious men, from every nation of those under heaven.

But the rumour of this having spread, the multitude came together and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect.

And all were amazed and wondered, saying, Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans?

and how do *we* hear [them] each in our own dialect in which we have been born,

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judaea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10 both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya which adjoin Cyrene, and the Romans sojourning [here], both Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great things of God?

12 And they were all amazed and in perplexity, saying one to another, What would this mean?

13 But others mocking said, They are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke forth to them, Men of Judaea, and all ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words:

15 for these are not full of wine, as *ye* suppose, for it is the third hour of the day;

16 but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel,

17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, [that] I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your elders shall dream with dreams;

18 yea, even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen in those days will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 the sun shall be changed to darkness and the moon to blood, before the great and gloriously appearing day of [the] Lord come.

21 And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of [the] Lord shall be saved.

22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazaraean, a man borne witness to by God to you by works of power and wonders and signs, which God wrought by him in your midst, as yourselves know

23 —him, given up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye, by [the] hand of lawless [men], have crucified and slain.

24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, inasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held by its power;

25 for David says as to him, I foresaw the Lord continually before me, because he is at my right hand that I may not be moved.

26 Therefore has my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted; yea more, my flesh also shall dwell in hope,

27 for thou wilt not leave my soul in hades, nor wilt thou give thy gracious one to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me [the] paths of life, thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance.

29 Brethren, let it be allowed to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David, that he has both died and been buried, and his monument is amongst us unto this day.

30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, of the fruit of his loins to set upon his throne;

31 he, seeing [it] before, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither has he been left in hades nor his flesh seen corruption.

32 This Jesus has God raised up, whereof all *we* are witnesses.

33 Having therefore been exalted by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which *ye* behold and hear.

34 For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand

35 until I have put thine enemies [to be] the footstool of thy feet.

36 Let the whole house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him, this Jesus whom *ye* have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 And having heard [it] they were pricked in heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, What shall we do, brethren?

38 And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins, and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For to you is the promise and to your children, and to all who [are] afar off, as many as [the] Lord our God may call.

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.

41 Those then who had accepted his word were baptised; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they persevered in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, in breaking of bread and prayers.

43 And fear was upon every soul, and many wonders and signs took place through the apostles' means.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common,

45 and sold their possessions and substance, and distributed them to all, according as any one might have need.

46 And every day, being constantly in the temple with one accord, and breaking bread in [the] house, they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

47 praising God, and having favour with all the people; and the Lord added [to the assembly] daily those that were to be saved.

And Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [which is] the ninth [hour];

and a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was being carried, whom they placed every day at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who were going into the temple;

who, seeing Peter and John about to enter into the temple, asked to receive alms.

And Peter, looking stedfastly upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed to them, expecting to receive something from them.

But Peter said, Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, this give I to thee: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean rise up and walk.

And having taken hold of him [by] the right hand he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones were made strong.

And leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God;

10 and they recognised him, that it was *he* who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

12 And Peter, seeing it, answered the people, Men of Israel, why are ye astonished at this? or why do ye gaze on us as if we had by our own power or piety made him to walk?

13 The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom *ye* delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when *he* had judged that he should be let go.

14 But *ye* denied the holy and righteous one, and asked that a man [that was] a murderer should be granted to you;

15 but the originator of life ye slew, whom God raised from among [the] dead, whereof *we* are witnesses.

16 And, by faith in his name, his name has made this [man] strong whom ye behold and know; and the faith which is by him has given him this complete soundness in the presence of you all.

17 And now, brethren, I know that ye did it in ignorance, as also your rulers;

18 but God has thus fulfilled what he had announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer.

19 Repent therefore and be converted, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from [the] presence of the Lord,

20 and he may send Jesus Christ, who was foreordained for you,

21 whom heaven indeed must receive till [the] times of [the] restoring of all things, of which God has spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since time began.

22 Moses indeed said, A prophet shall [the] Lord your God raise up to you out of your brethren like me: him shall ye hear in everything whatsoever he shall say to you.

23 And it shall be that whatsoever soul shall not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 And indeed all the prophets from Samuel and those in succession after [him], as many as have spoken, have announced also these days.

25 *Ye* are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God appointed to our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

26 To you first God, having raised up his servant, has sent him, blessing you in turning each one [of you] from your wickedness.

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

In my former book,(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach(B) until the day he was taken up to heaven,(C) after giving instructions(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles(E) he had chosen.(F) After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.(H) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.(J) For John baptized with[a] water,(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”(L)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.(N) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;(O) and you will be my witnesses(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”(R)

After he said this, he was taken up(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white(T) stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”(U) 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(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem(W) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,(X) a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room(Y) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.(Z) 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer,(AA) along with the women(AB) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.(AC)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d](AD) the Scripture had to be fulfilled(AE) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,(AF) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number(AG) and shared in our ministry.”(AH)

18 (With the payment(AI) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;(AJ) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language(AK) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e](AL)

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f](AM)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism(AN) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(AO) with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed,(AP) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.(AQ) Show us(AR) which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.(AS)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost(AT) came, they were all together(AU) in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.(AV) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit(AW) and began to speak in other tongues[g](AX) as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(AY) Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed,(AZ) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(BA) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,(BB) Pontus(BC) and Asia,[h](BD) 10 Phrygia(BE) and Pamphylia,(BF) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(BG) visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”(BH)

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!(BI) 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.(BJ)
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,(BK)
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.(BL)
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,(BM)
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood(BN)
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord(BO) will be saved.’[i](BP)

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth(BQ) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,(BR) which God did among you through him,(BS) as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;(BT) and you, with the help of wicked men,[j] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.(BU) 24 But God raised him from the dead,(BV) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.(BW) 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.(BX)
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[k](BY)

29 “Fellow Israelites,(BZ) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch(CA) David died and was buried,(CB) and his tomb is here(CC) to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.(CD) 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.(CE) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life,(CF) and we are all witnesses(CG) of it. 33 Exalted(CH) to the right hand of God,(CI) he has received from the Father(CJ) the promised Holy Spirit(CK) and has poured out(CL) what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[l](CM)

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord(CN) and Messiah.”(CO)

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”(CP)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,(CQ) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.(CR) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(CS) 39 The promise is for you and your children(CT) and for all who are far off(CU)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”(CV) 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number(CW) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(CX) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(CY) and to prayer.(CZ) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(DA) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(DB) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(DC) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(DD) They broke bread(DE) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(DF) And the Lord added to their number(DG) daily those who were being saved.

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

One day Peter and John(DH) were going up to the temple(DI) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.(DJ) Now a man who was lame from birth(DK) was being carried to the temple gate(DL) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg(DM) from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(DN) walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,(DO) and praising God. When all the people(DP) saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,(DQ) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John,(DR) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.(DS) 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,(DT) the God of our fathers,(DU) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over(DV) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,(DW) though he had decided to let him go.(DX) 14 You disowned the Holy(DY) and Righteous One(DZ) and asked that a murderer be released to you.(EA) 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.(EB) We are witnesses(EC) of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus,(ED) this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites,(EE) I know that you acted in ignorance,(EF) as did your leaders.(EG) 18 But this is how God fulfilled(EH) what he had foretold(EI) through all the prophets,(EJ) saying that his Messiah would suffer.(EK) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,(EL) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,(EM) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him(EN) until the time comes for God to restore everything,(EO) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.(EP) 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.(EQ) 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[m](ER)

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets(ES) who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs(ET) of the prophets and of the covenant(EU) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[n](EV) 26 When God raised up(EW) his servant, he sent him first(EX) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:5 Or in
  2. Acts 1:5 Or in
  3. Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
  4. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
  5. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  6. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8
  7. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  8. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
  9. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  10. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  11. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
  12. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1
  13. Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
  14. Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4