- 1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
- 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
- 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
- 4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
- 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
- 6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
- 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
- 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
- 9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
- 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
- 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
- 12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
- 13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
- 14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
- 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
- 16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
- 17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
- 18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
- 19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
- 20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
- 21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
- 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
- 23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
- 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
- 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
- 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
KING JAMES VERSION
ACTS 1
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 1 — The risen Jesus commissions His witnesses, ascends from their sight, and leaves the praying disciples to await the promised Holy Ghost.
About this illustration
The ascension, the two heavenly messengers, Jerusalem, and the gathered witnesses form one scene. The later upper-room prayer and choice of Matthias are not separately shown, and God the Father is not given bodily form.
Scripture basis: Acts 1:1–26King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
About AD 542–570
The Madaba Mosaic Map
The sixth-century church-floor mosaic at Madaba maps a Christian Holy Land in Greek labels and city vignettes, preserving an exceptionally detailed Byzantine Jerusalem while blending geographical knowledge, pilgrimage memory, and biblical theology.
Luke 2:1–7 · Acts 1:8–12
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Sixth century AD
Codex Laudianus
Codex Laudianus is a late-sixth- or early-seventh-century Greek-Latin Acts manuscript whose bilingual sense-lines, distinctive readings, western travels, and large final lacuna document the mobile life of Acts in early medieval Christianity.
Acts 1:1–11 · Acts 8:26–40 · Acts 28:23–31
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
AD 586
The Rabbula Gospels
The Rabbula Gospels securely dates a Syriac Peshitta Gospel text to AD 586, while physical analysis shows that its celebrated miniatures were repainted and may have entered the present composite volume through a more complicated history than the colophon alone implies.
Matthew 28:1–20 · John 20:1–31 · Acts 1:1–26
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
4th–6th centuries AD over a Roman-period tomb
Sanctuary and Tomb Complex of Saint Philip at Hierapolis
Hierapolis's eastern hill preserves an octagonal martyrium, processional route, basilical church focused on an earlier tomb, and a dense Christian cemetery, demonstrating Byzantine veneration of Philip while leaving the tomb occupant's apostolic identity unproved.
Colossians 4:12–13 · Acts 21:8–9 · Acts 1:13
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th Century
Papyrus P56: Acts 1:1 in a Greek Witness
P56, Vienna Pap. G. 19918 and 19927, is a fifth- or sixth-century Greek papyrus codex fragment preserving Acts 1:1, 4–5, 7, and 10–11, including the ascension commission and promise of Jesus' return.
Acts 1:1 · Acts 1:4–5 · Acts 1:7
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
9th century
Codex Mosquensis I (GA 018)
Codex Mosquensis I (GA 018) is a 9th century Greek parchment codex preserving Acts, the Catholic Epistles, and Paul’s letters with commentary.
Acts 1:1–11 · James 1:1–18 · Romans 1:1–17
View all 10 archaeology resources
- Papyrus P74: Bodmer XVII Acts and Catholic Epistles
- Codex Mutinensis (GA 014)
- Uncial 049: Acts and Epistles at Great Lavra
- The Muratorian Fragment and an Early New Testament Book List
Prophecy Events
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
30
Psalms 41:9Betrayed by a Close Friend
Psalm 41 laments betrayal by a trusted companion who shared the sufferer’s bread.
ConflictbetrayalJudasbreadpassion
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
30
Psalms 109:8The Betrayer’s Office Given to Another
Psalm 109 calls for the wicked persecutor’s days and office to pass to another.
JudgmentJudasMatthiasapostolic officebetrayal
PROPHECY EVENTYet to come
Zechariah 14:3–9The Lord Returns to the Mount of Olives
Zechariah portrays the Lord standing on the Mount of Olives, transforming the landscape, and becoming king over all the earth.
KingdomMount of OlivesSecond ComingJerusalemfuture kingdom
Sermons
Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Pastor Dean Odle’s “Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ” is a practical call for every believer to speak the gospel clearly and courageously. From Mark 16 and 2 Corinthians 4, he argues that Christians are not commissioned merely to behave well in public or offer vague encouragement. They must proclaim Jesus Christ: who He is, His fulfillment of Scripture, His death for sins, His burial and resurrection, and the necessity of repentance, faith, and surrender to His lordship.
Salvation and the GospelChrist AloneChristian LivingApostasy and Deception
View sermon The Dark Operations of the Jesuit Order
In “The Dark Operations of the Jesuit Order,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the condition of the church, the authority of Scripture, spiritual deception. Drawing especially from Revelation 13, Romans 16, Timothy 2, Timothy 4, the teaching emphasizes that the church is called to recover biblical faithfulness instead of accommodating compromise. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience.
Bible ProphecyRoman Catholicism and the PapacyScripture AloneApostasy and Deception
View sermon Little Pot of Oil
In “Little Pot of Oil,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about holiness, the Holy Spirit, freedom from fear. Drawing especially from Romans 8, Acts 1, Mark 16:15, Matthew 24, the teaching emphasizes that God calls believers to reject compromise and pursue practical holiness. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that the Holy Spirit leads, equips, corrects, and strengthens believers who yield to God.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelChristian LivingHoly Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons