The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 51: Acts

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?

1:7. But he said to them: It is not for you to know the time or moments,
which the Father hath put in his own power:

1:8. But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you,
and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and
Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

1:9. And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was
raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.

1:10. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two
men stood by them in white garments.

1:11. Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to
heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
as you have seen him going into heaven.

1:12. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called
Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day's journey.

1:13. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where
abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew
and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Jude the brother of
James.

1:14. All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

1:15. In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said
(now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty):

1:16. Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the
Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was
the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:

1:17. Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

1:18. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity,
and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed
out.

1:19. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that
the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say,
The field of blood.

1:20. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation
become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his
bishopric let another take.

1:21. Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time
that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

1:22. Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was
taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his
resurrection.

1:23. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias.

1:24. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the heart of all
men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

1:25. To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which
Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.

1:26. And they gave them lot, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.