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Chapter 1  
     
1.
 The former treatise of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) have I (Luke) made, O Theophilus (Theophilus ben Ananus, brother of Caiaphas and High Priest (37–41 CE), is of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
  
2.
 Until the day in which we believe he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen and with whom he had formed the Kahal (Hebrew) Nazarene Ecclesia (Congregation) of Yisra’el (Israel), which we now know as the Jerusalem Church:
  
3.
 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them for some days after, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
  
4.
 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from what he had taught them of the secret mysteries and in Jerusalem, but teach of the promise of the Father, of which secrets, you have heard of me.
  
5.
 For Jesus did say to the disciplines that while John truly baptized with water; but you shall baptize with the Holy Spirit from all the days forward.
  
6.
 When they therefore were come together, not a Christians but the Nazarene Ecclesia, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
  
7.
 And 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.
  
8.
 But you shall receive power, for the Holy Spirit of wisdom has come upon you: and you are all witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
  
9.
 And after he had spoken these things, while they beheld it meaning, it was as if he was taken up; for he left their sight.
  
10.
 And while they looked steadfastly to find him after he had left, behold, two men stood appeared to them in white apparel of the Essenes of Nazara;
  
11.
 Which also said, you men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? As he is taken up from you into heaven, so shall all become in like manner upon hearing the wisdom of the secret mysteries and shall also go into heaven.
  
12.
 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
  
13.
 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Simon Peter, and James the Just the brother and the anointed successor to Jesus, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of Jesus.
  
14.
 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and with his brethren of the Nazarene.
  
15.
 And in those days James being anointed as the true successor of Jesus by blood and his will stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
  
16.
 Men and brethren, the laws of our order (Nazarene Ecclesia) must be fulfilled, which the Holy One by the mouth of David spoke before concerning the vacancy of our brother Judas the Zealot, who had given up our Lord Jesus.
  
17.
 For he was numbered as an elder with us, and had obtained his ministry as one of the twelve.
  
18.
 Now with the reward given unto Judas by the Sanhedrin but rejected by him, a field of land had been purchased, for out of shame Judas the Zealot had killed; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
  
19.
 And the field became 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.
  
20.
 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his title let another take.
  
21.
 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
  
22.
 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must two be ordained to be a witness with us of the twelve of our order according to the laws of the Nazarene Ecclesia.
  
23.
 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barnabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias for James, the Brother of Jesus was now President of the Ecclesia and on account of Judas.
  
24.
 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
  
25.
 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
  
26.
 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the now twelve apostles, the brethren and leaders of the Nazarene Ecclesia.
  

 
 
 

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