Promise of the Holy Spirit1-2Theophilus, I have already written an account for you of Jesus' teaching and the works He performed before His return to heaven. Before His departure, He gave the apostles He had chosen the commission they were to fulfil through the Holy Spirit.3After His death on the cross, He appeared in His risen body to these men, demonstrating that He was very much alive. During a period of forty days He appeared to them on a number of occasions and spoke further to them about God's Kingdom.4While eating with them on one occasion He commanded them: "Stay in Jerusalem until you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit that My Father promised, and of which I spoke to you.5For John only baptised people in water for the forgiveness of their sins, but within a few days you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit, baptised in His life and power."6When the apostles saw Him in His risen body, they asked Him: "Lord, is this the time when You will restore Israel as Your Kingdom people?"7Jesus told them: "The Father alone has the authority to determine when such things will happen. That is not your business.8However, you will receive God's power when you are baptised in the Holy Spirit. Then you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, the whole of Judea and Samaria and in every part of the earth."9After saying this, they watched as Jesus ascended until a cloud hid Him from their sight.10They kept staring up at the sky until two men robed in white garments stood beside them.11"You Galileans, why stand here looking into the sky? Jesus, who has now been taken from you, will Himself come back in a similar manner to the way He has just departed into heaven."Matthias replaces Judas12This took place at the Mount of Olives just outside Jerusalem.13When the apostles returned to the city, they went to the upstairs room in the house where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James.14They met and prayed constantly together, along with the women including Jesus' mother Mary and His brothers.15-16During this period, Peter addressed the group of one hundred and twenty believers, saying: "My brothers, it was necessary for the scripture referring to Judas to be fulfilled. This scripture was given by the Holy Spirit through David's words.17Even though He was one of us and shared this ministry with us, Judas guided those who arrested Jesus."18(This Judas bought a field with the money he was paid for his betrayal; and it was there that he fell, and his intestines burst out of his body.19This was common knowledge in Jerusalem and the field was named in Aramaic as the Field of Blood).20Peter continued: "It is written in the Psalms, 'Let his place be desolate so that no-one can live there,' and 'let another take his position.'21-22"Therefore we must choose someone to replace him; one of the men who has been among us throughout the time the Lord Jesus was with us, from the time of John's baptism to the time when He was taken from us by ascending to heaven. The one we elect must, like us, be a witness of His resurrection."23Two men were put forward: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.24-25Then they all prayed: "Lord, You know every person's heart. Make clear to us which of these two is Your choice to share in this apostolic ministry in the place of Judas, who has gone where he belongs."26Matthias was chosen by casting lots and was added to the eleven apostles.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)