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Acts 1

Acts 1 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Acts 1 begins the story of the early church after Jesus' resurrection. It sets out the risen Christ's final instructions, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the call to wait in Jerusalem. The chapter also shows the apostles praying together as they seek God's guidance for replacing Judas.

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What happens in Acts 1?

Luke opens by linking this book to the story of Jesus' ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus appears to his followers over forty days, teaching about the kingdom of God and telling them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. He then tells them they will receive power and become his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. After Jesus is taken up into heaven, the apostles return to Jerusalem, pray together, and choose Matthias to join the eleven after Judas's place is left empty.

Acts is the second volume addressed to Theophilus and continues the account begun in Luke. Acts 1 bridges Jesus' earthly ministry and the Spirit-led mission of the church. It prepares readers for the coming of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem and the spread of the gospel outward from there.

Themes to notice

  • Resurrection and ascensionJesus is shown alive after suffering and then taken into heaven, confirming both his victory and his continuing reign.
  • The Holy Spirit's promiseThe disciples are told to wait for the Spirit, who will give them power for the mission ahead.
  • Prayer and witnessThe gathered believers pray, seek God's direction, and prepare to bear witness to Jesus together.

Questions for Acts 1

  • What does Jesus tell the apostles to wait for, and why does that matter for their mission?
  • How does the chapter connect Jesus' ascension with the church's calling to witness?
  • Why do the believers pray before choosing Matthias, and what does that show about their leadership decision?

Read the full text of Acts 1 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Acts

Acts 1

Prologue

1In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach,2until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.3After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.4And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Ascension

6So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.10They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.11“Men of Galilee,” 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 in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Matthias Replaces Judas

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.13When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.14With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,16“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.17He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”18(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.19This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20“For it is written in the book of Psalms:

‘May his place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and,

‘May another take his position.’

21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,22beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

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