GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New King James Version NKJV
1 In my first book, Theophilus, I wrote about what Jesus began to do and teach. This included everything from the beginning [of his life]
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The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 until the day he was taken to heaven. Before he was taken to heaven, he gave instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles, whom he had chosen.
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until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3 After his death Jesus showed the apostles a lot of convincing evidence that he was alive. For 40 days he appeared to them and talked with them about the kingdom of God.
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to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
4 Once, while he was meeting with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for what the Father had promised. Jesus said to them, "I've told you what the Father promises:
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And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;
5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
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for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6 So when the apostles came together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you're going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
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Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 Jesus told them, "You don't need to know about times or periods that the Father has determined by his own authority.
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And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
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But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
9 After he had said this, he was taken to heaven. A cloud hid him so that they could no longer see him.
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Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 They were staring into the sky as he departed. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood near them.
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And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
11 They asked, "Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking at the sky? Jesus, who was taken from you to heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven."
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who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives. It is near Jerusalem, about half a mile away.
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Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
13 When they came into the city, Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon the Zealot, and Judas (son of James) went to the second-story room where they were staying.
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And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 The apostles had a single purpose as they devoted themselves to prayer. They were joined by some women, including Mary (the mother of Jesus), and they were joined by his brothers.
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These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15 At a time when about 120 disciples had gathered together, Peter got up and spoke to them. He said,
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And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16 "Brothers, what the Holy Spirit predicted through David in Scripture about Judas had to come true. Judas led the men to arrest Jesus.
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"Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 He had been one of us and had been given an active role in this ministry.
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for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry."
18 With the money he received from the wrong he had done, he bought a piece of land where he fell headfirst to his death. His body split open, and all his internal organs came out.
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(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.
19 Everyone living in Jerusalem knows about this. They even call that piece of land Akeldama, which means 'Field of Blood' in their dialect.
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And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 You've read in Psalms, 'Let his home be deserted, and let no one live there,' and 'Let someone else take his position.'" "Therefore, someone must be added to our number to serve with us as a witness that Jesus came back to life.
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"For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'
21 He must be one of the men who accompanied Jesus with us the entire time that the Lord Jesus was among us.
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"Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 This person must have been with us from the time that John was baptizing people to the day that Jesus was taken from us."
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beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
23 The disciples determined that two men were qualified. These men were Joseph (who was called Barsabbas and was also known as Justus) and Matthias.
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And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's thoughts. Show us which of these two you have chosen.
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And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
25 Show us who is to take the place of Judas as an apostle, since Judas abandoned his position to go to the place where he belongs."
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to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."
26 They drew names to choose an apostle. Matthias was chosen and joined the eleven apostles.
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And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.