Acts 1

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Acts 1

1In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach,
2until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.
3After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
4And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.
5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.
10They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
14With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,
16“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
17He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
18(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.
19This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20“For it is written in the book of Psalms:
‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and,
‘May another take his position.’
21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
— Acts 1

Related Resources from Heartlight

The Holy Spirit Spoke Long Ago
Illustration of Acts 1:15-16 NIV

Illustration of Acts 1:15-16 NIV -- [Not long after Jesus' ascension,] Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus."

The Missing Ingredient!
Illustration of Acts 1:4-5 NIV

Illustration of Acts 1:4-5 NIV -- On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with [the disciples], he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

But you will receive power when the...
Illustration of Acts 1:8

Illustration of Acts 1:8 -- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

But you will receive power when the...
Illustration of Acts 1:8

Illustration of Acts 1:8 -- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Constant Prayer
Illustration of Acts 1:14

Inspirational illustration of Acts 1:14 -- They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers

Constantly?
Illustration of Acts 1:14

Inspirational illustration of Acts 1:14 -- They all joined constantly together in prayer

Don't Leave!
Illustration of Acts 1:4 NLT

Illustration of Acts 1:4 NLT -- Once when [Jesus] was eating with [the disciples], he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before."

Get You Head Out of the Clouds!
Illustration of Acts 1:11

Inspirational illustration of Acts 1:11 -- “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

How the Gospel reaches the ends of the earth!
Illustration of Acts 1:8

Inspirational illustration of Acts 1:8 -- You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

My Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
Illustration of Acts 1:8 NLT

Illustration of Acts 1:8 NLT -- [Jesus said,]  "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Praying the Dawn of a New Day!
Illustration of Acts 1:14

Inspirational illustration of Acts 1:14 -- They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Soon!
Illustration of Acts 1:5 MESSAGE

Illustration of Acts 1:5 MESSAGE -- [Jesus said,] "John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."

Telling People Everywhere!
Illustration of Acts 1:8 NLT

Illustration of Acts 1:8 NLT -- [To the apostles, Jesus said,] "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

They all joined together constantly in...
Illustration of Acts 1:14

Illustration of Acts 1:14 -- They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

We will be witnesses!
Illustration of Acts 1:8

Inspirational illustration of Acts 1:8 -- ut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth

Cross References for Acts 1

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.