Acts 1
Acts 1 is part of “The Church in Jerusalem” (1–7) in the outline of Acts.
Acts 1 summary
The inspired historian begins his narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, I. With a reference to, and a brief recapitulation of, his gospel, or history of the life of Christ, inscribing this, as he had done that, to his friend Theophilus (Act 1:1, Act 1:2). II. With a summary of the proofs of Christ's resurrection, his conference with his disciples, and the instructions he gave them during the forty days, of his continuance on earth (Act 1:3-5).
Read the full introduction
The inspired historian begins his narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, I. With a reference to, and a brief recapitulation of, his gospel, or history of the life of Christ, inscribing this, as he had done that, to his friend Theophilus (Act 1:1, Act 1:2). II. With a summary of the proofs of Christ's resurrection, his conference with his disciples, and the instructions he gave them during the forty days, of his continuance on earth (Act 1:3-5). III. With a particular narrative of Christ's ascension into heaven, his disciples' discourse with him before he ascended, and the angels' discourse with them after he ascended (Act 1:6-11). IV. With a general idea of the embryo of the Christian church, and its state from Christ's ascension to the pouring out of the Spirit (Act 1:12-14). V. With a particular account of the filling up of the vacancy that was made in the sacred college by the death of Judas, by the electing of Matthias in his room (Act 1:15-26).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Acts 1
Acts 1 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1I have made the former treatise, O Theophilus, of al that Jesus began to doe and teach, 2Vntill the day that hee was taken vp, after that hee through the holy Ghost, had giuen commandements vnto the Apostles, whome hee had chosen: 3To whome also he presented himselfe aliue after that he had suffered, by many infallible tokens, being seene of them by the space of fourtie daies, and speaking of those thinges which appertaine to the kingdome of God. 4And when he had gathered them together, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Hierusalem, but to waite for the promise of the Father, which sayde hee, yee haue heard of me. 5For Iohn in deede baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost within these fewe daies.
The Ascension
6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdome to Israel? 7And hee saide vnto them, It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his owne power, 8But yee shall receiue power of the holy Ghost, when he shall come on you: and ye shalbe witnesses vnto me both in Hierusalem and in all Iudea, and in Samaria, and vnto the vttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had spoken these things, while they behelde, he was taken vp: for a cloude tooke him vp out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly towarde heauen, as hee went, beholde, two men stoode by them in white apparell, 11Which also sayde, Yee men of Galile, why stande yee gasing into heauen? This Iesus which is taken vp from you into heauen, shall so come, as yee haue seene him goe into heauen.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12Then returned they vnto Hierusalem from the mount that is called the mount of Oliues, which is neere to Hierusalem, being from it a Sabbath daies iourney. 13And when they were come in, they went vp into an vpper chamber, where abode both Peter and Iames, and Iohn, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartlemew, and Matthewe, Iames the sonne of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Iudas Iames brother. 14These all continued with one accorde in prayer and supplication with the women, and Marie the mother of Iesus, and with his brethren. 15And in those dayes Peter stoode vp in the middes of the disciples, and sayde (nowe the nomber of names that were in one place were about an hundreth and twentie.) 16Yee men and brethren, this scripture must needes haue beene fulfilled, which the holy Ghost by the mouth of Dauid spake before of Iudas, which was guide to them that tooke Iesus. 17For hee was nombred with vs, and had obteined fellowship in this ministration. 18He therefore hath purchased a field with the reward of iniquitie: and when he had throwen downe himselfe headlong, hee brast asunder in the middes, and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it is knowen vnto all the inhabitants of Hierusalem, in so much, that that field is called in their owne language, Aceldama, That is, the field of blood. 20For it is written in the booke of Psalmes, Let his habitation be void, and let no man dwel therein: also, Let another take his charge. 21Wherefore of these men which haue companied with vs, all the time that the Lord Iesus was conuersant among vs, 22Beginning from the baptisme of Iohn vnto the day that hee was taken vp from vs, must one of them bee made a witnesse with vs of his resurrection. 23And they presented two, Ioseph called Barsabas, whose surname was Iustus, and Matthias. 24And they praied, saying, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shewe whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25That he may take the roume of this ministration and Apostleship, from which Iudas hath gone astray, to goe to his owne place. 26Then they gaue foorth their lottes: and the lotte fell on Matthias, and hee was by a common consent counted with the eleuen Apostles.