Study Desk

I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach^(a)

until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.^(b)

After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.^(c)

While He was together^[a] with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promise.^(d) "This," He said, "is what you heard from Me;

for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." ^(e)

So when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?"

He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.^(f)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends^[b] of the earth." ^(g)

After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.

While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.^(h)

They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven."⁽ⁱ⁾

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day's journey away.

When they arrived, they went to the room^(j) upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.^(k)

All these were continually united^(l) in prayer,^[c] along with the women, including Mary^[d] the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.^(m)

During these days Peter stood up among the brothers^[e]—the number of people who were together was about 120—and said:

"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David spoke in advance about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.⁽ⁿ⁾

For he was one of our number and was allotted a share in this ministry."^(o)

Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst and burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out.^(p)

This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, Field of Blood).

"For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his dwelling become desolate; let no one live in it; ^[f] and Let someone else take his position. ^(q)[g]

"Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—

beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection."^(r)

So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.^(s)

Then they prayed,^(t) "You, Lord, know the hearts of all; show which of these two You have chosen^(u)

to take the place^[h] in this apostolic service^(v) that Judas left to go to his own place."

Then they cast lots^(w) for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was numbered with the 11 apostles.

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.^(a)

Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind^(b) came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.^(c)

And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Then they were all filled^(d) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.^(e)

There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation^(f) under heaven.

When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

And they were astounded and amazed, saying,^[a] "Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?^(g)

How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language?

Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^(h)

Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,⁽ⁱ⁾

Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages."

They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, "What could this be?"

But some sneered and said, "They're full of new wine!"^(j)

But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: "Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this^[b] to you and pay attention to my words.

For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it's only nine in the morning.^[c]

On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. ^(k)

I will even pour out My Spirit on My male and female slaves in those days, and they will prophesy.^(l)

I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood ^(m) before the great and remarkable Day of the Lord ⁽ⁿ⁾ comes.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ^(o)[d]

"Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know.^(p)

Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used^[e] lawless people^[f] to nail Him to a cross and kill Him.^(q)

God raised Him up, ending the pains of death,^(r) because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.

For David says of Him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,

because You will not leave me in Hades or allow Your Holy One to see decay. ^(s)

You have revealed the paths of life to me; You will fill me with gladness in Your presence. ^(t)[g]

"Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.^(u)

Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants^[h][i] on his throne.^(v)

Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He ^[j] was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay. ^(w)[k]

"God has resurrected^(x) this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this.

Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God^(y) and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit,^(z) He has poured out^(aa) what you both see and hear.

For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand

until I make Your enemies Your footstool.' ^(ab)[l]

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!"^(ac)

When they heard this, they came under deep conviction^[m] and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: "Brothers, what must we do?"^(ad)

"Repent,"^(ae) Peter said to them, "and be baptized,^(af) each of you, in the name^(ag) of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off,^[n](ah) as many as the Lord our God will call."

And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt^[o] generation!"^(ai)

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching,^(aj) to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.^(ak)

Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.^(al)

Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.^(am)

They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.^[p]

Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,^(an)

praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them^[q] those who were being saved.^(ao)