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1:1 In the former account I made, O Theophilus, I wrote of all that Jesus began to do and teach,
1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen,
1:3 To whom he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
1:4 And, being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, "which," he said, "you have heard about from me.
1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from this time."
1:6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, saying, "Lord, will you restore the kingdom to Israel again at this time?'
1:7 And he said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you will receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth."
1:9 Now when he had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
1:11 Who said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, will come in a like manner as you have seen him go into heaven."1
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is a Sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem.
1:13 And when they had returned, they went into an upper room where they were staying: Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the son of James.
1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together was about one hundred and twenty,)
1:16 "Men and brothers, it was necessary that the scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who acted as a guide to those who took Jesus.
1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry."
1:18 (Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity [sin]; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.
1:19 And it was known to all the residents in Jerusalem; so that the field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.)
1:20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell in it; and let another take his office.'
1:21 Therefore from these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, to this same day that he was taken up from us, one must be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection."
1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And they prayed, and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which of these two you have chosen,
1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, so that he might go to where he belongs."
1:26 And they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and so he was numbered with the eleven apostles.2
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1 Jesus is to return in a similar manner. Some standing here shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Mat 16:27-8, Mar 8:38,9:1, Luke 9:26-27. Heaven appears to our spiritual eye as in a mist or in clouds - so, his coming is on the clouds of heaven, within the hearts of purified believers. Those not purified to see Jesus' coming in them before death, see him as they die, as all peoples, all nations, all generations do.
- Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye will see him, and also those who pierced him; (also, the Jews 2000 years ago) and all peoples of the earth will wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7.
- 2000 years ago, to the Jewish High Priest and the Pharisees at his trial, Jesus said.. you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62.
- Daniel says: I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, Dan 7:13.
2 The eleven disciples were casting lots before they had been baptized by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which occurs in the next chapter. Men who have received the anointing baptism of the Holy Spirit know all things, and they would be clearly told by God whom to select. So before the baptism of the Holy Spirit, casting lots had long been God's way to select a man. Look at Josh 7:14-25,18:6,8,10, Prov 16:33. Now think about the process of selecting a pope in the Roman sect: a convention of the cardinals, lobbying, voting, more voting; it is a political process of men's wills. If the Roman sect was as godly as they claimed, (even though they obviously do not know all things from the baptism of the Holy Spirit), if the Roman sect had trust in God, would they not be more reliant on God by casting lots among them, for God's decision? But of course, they would never consider trusting the head of their sect to be selected by God.
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