THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
This Book, which, from the first ages, hath been called, THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, is not to be considered as a history of what was done by all the Apostles, who were dispersed into different nations; but only a short view of the first establishment of the Christian Church. A part of the preaching and action of St. Peter are related in the first twelve chapters; and a particular account of St. Paul's apostolical labours in the subsequent chapters. It was written by St. Luke the Evangelist, and the original in Greek. Its history commences from the Ascension of Christ our Lord and ends in the year sixty-three, being a brief account of the Church for the space of about thirty years.
Acts Chapter 1
The ascension of Christ. Matthias is chosen in place of Judas.
1:1. The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2. Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.
1:3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.
1:4. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.
1:5. For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.
1:6. They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?