📖 Acts — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 1:1 The Rformer treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:2 Until Rthe day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 1:3 To whom also Rhe 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:
Acts 1:4 And, Rbeing 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.
Acts 1:5 For RJohn truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, RLord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which Rthe Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive Rpower, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:9 And Rwhen he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:10 And Rwhile they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 Which also said, RYe 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.
Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem Ra sabbath day’s journey.
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both RPeter, 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.
Acts 1:14 These Rall continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 1:15 And in those days RPeter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Acts 1:16 RMen 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.
Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of Rthis ministry.
Acts 1:18 Now Rthis man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Acts 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, RAceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, RLet his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of Rthese men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 RBeginning 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.
Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called RBarsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:24 And Rthey prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Acts 1:25 That Rhe may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And Rthey gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 1:1–11 — The risen Jesus promises power and ascends
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus teaches after his resurrection, promises baptism with the Holy Ghost, and directs the apostles toward witness rather than knowing the appointed times. His ascension brings the angelic assurance of his return.
Key Truth: Await God’s provision while attending to the work entrusted to you.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “The ____ treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus …” (Acts 1:1)
Find it in Acts 1:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “When they therefore ____ come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou …” (Acts 1:6)
Find it in Acts 1:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ unto them, It is not for you to know the …” (Acts 1:7)
Find it in Acts 1:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 1:12–20 — The believers pray and confront Judas’s place
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The disciples return to Jerusalem and continue together in prayer. Peter addresses Judas’s betrayal, death, and vacant responsibility through Scripture before the gathered company.
Key Truth: Meet a difficult responsibility with prayer and attention to Scripture.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which …” (Acts 1:12)
Find it in Acts 1:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the ____ of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to …” (Acts 1:16)
Find it in Acts 1:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For it is ____ in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, …” (Acts 1:20)
Find it in Acts 1:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 1:21–26 — Matthias is chosen as a resurrection witness
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Peter identifies the qualifications for a witness who accompanied Jesus’ ministry. Two men are proposed, the company asks the Lord to show his choice, and Matthias is numbered with the eleven.
Key Truth: Value faithful witness rather than appointment as personal prestige.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ of these men which have companied with us all the …” (Acts 1:21)
Find it in Acts 1:21 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And they ____ , and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of …” (Acts 1:24)
Find it in Acts 1:24 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And they ____ forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and …” (Acts 1:26)
Find it in Acts 1:26 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Luke 24:49 — Luke also records the promised power and instruction to wait.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What entrusted work deserves prayerful attention rather than speculation about timing?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 1:1–11 (The risen Jesus promises power and ascends) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 1:12–20 (The believers pray and confront Judas’s place) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 1:21–26 (Matthias is chosen as a resurrection witness) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How does the promised power shape the witnesses' mission?
5. What assurance redirects the men who are gazing into heaven?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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