The volume collects text-critical, exegetical and biblical-theologicalessays by Arie Zwiep on the Acts of the Apostles, dealing primarilywith the opening chapters of Acts in the wider context of first-centuryChristianity and its Umwelt. The articles include treatments of theascension and exaltation of Jesus in its early Jewish and earlyChristian context, the death and replacement of Judas Iscariot and thevarying traditions of his death, the role of Judas and the Jews in thehistory of anti-Semitism, Luke's understanding of Pentecost and theoutpouring of the Spirit, early Christian community life in Acts, thefunction of the early resurrection and exaltation Christology inPeter's Pentecost discourse, and Luke's special treatment of Paul inrelation to the Twelve apostles in Jerusalem. The book containspreviously published material (all thoroughly updated and revised), some articles appearing for the first time in English and two newessays