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Acts 1:1-26 (NIRV)

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¹ Theophilus, I wrote about Jesus in my earlier book. I wrote about all he did and taught ² until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before Jesus left, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen. He did this through the Holy Spirit. ³ After his suffering and death, he appeared to them. In many ways he proved that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days. During that time he spoke about God's kingdom. ⁴ One day Jesus was eating with them. He gave them a command. "Do not leave Jerusalem," he said. "Wait for the gift my Father promised. You have heard me talk about it. ⁵ John baptized with water. But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." ⁶ When the apostles met together, they asked Jesus a question. "Lord," they said, "are you going to give the kingdom back to Israel now?" ⁷ He said to them, "You should not be concerned about times or dates. The Father has set them by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria. And you will be my witnesses from one end of the earth to the other." ⁹ After Jesus said this, he was taken up to heaven. They watched until a cloud hid him from their sight. ¹⁰ While he was going up, they kept on looking at the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothing stood beside them. ¹¹ "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But he will come back in the same way you saw him go." ¹² The apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. It is almost a mile from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Peter, John, James and Andrew were there. Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew were there too. So were James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. ¹⁴ They all came together regularly to pray. The women joined them too. So did Jesus' mother Mary and his brothers. ¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers. About 120 of them were there. ¹⁶ Peter said, "Brothers, a long time ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David's mouth about Judas. What he said in Scripture had to come true. Judas was the guide for the men who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ But Judas was one of us. He shared with us in our work for God." ¹⁸ Judas bought a field with the reward he got for the evil thing he had done. He fell down headfirst in the field. His body burst open. All his insides spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this. So they called that field Akeldama. In their language, Akeldama means The Field of Blood. ^{20 21} So we need to choose someone to take his place. It will have to be a man who was with us the whole time the Lord Jesus lived among us. ²² That time began when John was baptizing. It ended when Jesus was taken up from us. The one we choose must join us in giving witness that Jesus rose from the dead." ²³ So they suggested two men. One was Joseph, who was called Barsabbas. He was also called Justus. The other man was Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed. "Lord," they said, "you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen. ²⁵ Show us who should take the place of Judas as an apostle. He gave up being an apostle to go where he belongs." ²⁶ Then they cast lots. Matthias was chosen. So he was added to the 11 apostles.


This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 8) Strength / Sovereignty / Power - Spirit's power to help the disciples speak in other languages
(v. 14) Prayer - Apostles - All joined together in prayer
(v. 14) Prayer - Apostles - Constantly in prayer
(v. 24) Prayer - Apostles - prayed to make a decision
(v. 24) Heart - God knows our hearts
(v. 24) Word of God / Teaching / Knowledge - God knows everyone's heart

This passage relates to the following question(s):
(v. 8) When did we start to receive the Holy Spirit? You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you
(v. 9) Where is Christ now? He was taken up before their very eyes
(v. 9) From where did Jesus asend? Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven... from the hill called the Mount of Olives
(v. 18) Did Judas die from hanging or from falling? He fell headlong, his body burst open
(v. 18) Who purchased the potter's field? Judas bought a field
(v. 24) Does God know the hearts of men or not? Lord, you know everyone's heart

This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 3) Desire's Journey - Great Restoration (part 2) (2010-07-01)
(v. 6) Life of Jesus (part 2) (2010-06-26)
(v. 7) Purpose Driven Life - Made for a Mission (part 3) (2008-07-11)
(v. 7) Life of Jesus (part 2) (2010-06-26)
(v. 8) Purpose Driven Life - Made for a Mission (part 3) (2008-07-11)
(v. 8) Purpose Driven Life - Sharing Your Message (Testimony) (2008-07-12)
(v. 8) Life of Jesus (part 2) (2010-06-26)
(v. 9) Life of Jesus (part 2) (2010-06-26)
(v. 13) Harmonious Service (2015-09-24)
(v. 15) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 15) Master Plan - Selection (part 3) (2009-11-24)
(v. 16) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 17) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 18) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 19) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 20) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 21) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 22) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 22) Waking Dead - New Heart (2010-08-22)
(v. 23) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 24) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 25) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)
(v. 26) Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others (2008-09-11)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 8) Bible Talk: Holy Spirt (part 2) (2015-07-26)
(v. 15) Devotional: The Religious Teachers of Jesus Day (2008-12-18)
(v. 16) Devotional: The Religious Teachers of Jesus Day (2008-12-18)
(v. 20) Devotional: The Religious Teachers of Jesus Day (2008-12-18)

Definition(s):
Andrew (An-drew): a strong man
Israel (Iz-rehl): who prevails with God
Israel (Is-ra-el): who prevails with God
Jerusalem (Je-roo-sa-lem): vision of peace
Jesus (Jeez-us): savior; deliverer
Judas (Joo-das): Jude, same as Judah
Mary (Meh-re): same as Miriam
Matthias (Math-eye-as): Mattithiah, same as Mattathias
Simon (Sigh-mon): that hears; that obeys
Simon (Maccabeus): that hears; that obeys
Akeldama (A-kel-da-ma):
Judea (Jood-e-a):
Matthew (Math-yew):
So (Soh):