Acts 1 | » |
1 The former account I made concerning all things, O Theophilus, which Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to withdraw from Jerusalem, but to await for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has placed in His own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
9 Now after He said these things, while they were beholding [Him], He was lifted up, and a cloud withdrew Him from their sight.
10 And while they looked intently into heaven, while He was going, behold, two men stood along side them in white apparel,
11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This [same] Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you watched Him go into heaven."
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying; both Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14 These were continuing with one mind in prayer and petition, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15 And in those days Peter, rising up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), said,
16 Men, brothers; it was necessary [for] this Scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a portion in this ministry."
18 (Now this man purchased a field by means of the wages of [his] unrighteousness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.
19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his homestead become desolate, and let no one dwell in it'; and, 'May another take his office of overseer.'
21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us in every time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
23 And they nominated two: Joseph who is called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, knower of all hearts, show whom You have chosen of these two"
25 "to receive the portion in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."
26 And they cast their lots. And the lot fell on Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.