Acts 1:12-26

 

Acts 1:12-26

A Time to Pray

Act 1:12  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 

Act 1:13  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 

Act 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

Act 1:15  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 

Act 1:16  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 

Act 1:17  For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 

Act 1:18  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 

Act 1:19  And it was 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. 

Act 1:20  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 

Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 

Act 1:23  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 

Act 1:24  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 

Act 1:25  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 

Act 1:26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

 

1.       The Response – vs. 12-14

a.        They are alone – vs. 12

                                                                           i.      After the ascension of Christ, the disciples return to Jerusalem

1.       They must have felt terribly lonely as they walked away from where they had watched Jesus ascend into heaven. Yet they move immediately to obey the commandment of Christ. - Luke 24:49 

                                                                         ii.      They gather in the upper room – vs. 13

1.       A place for quite meditation and prayer

2.       All of the disciples are there with the exception of Judas Iscariot

                                                                       iii.      They Pray – vs. 14

1.       The women were there

2.       The mother of Jesus was there

3.       The brothers of Jesus were there

a.        James, Joseph, Simon and Jude

                                                                                                                                                   i.      At first, they were hostile to Christ but later became instrumental to the first century church

1.       John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7 

2.       The Replacement – vs. 15-26

a.        They are broken – vs. 15-22

                                                                           i.      The paramount problem with the group is the sin of one of their number. The sin had left a gaping hole in the cohesion of the group. Something needed to be done to prepare for the future work of the Lord.

1.       Peter stands up – vs. 15

a.        Peter has the courage to stand, not because he is special but because he humbled - John 21:15-17 

2.       Peter turns their attention to the truth of scripture – vs. 16-20

a.        Judas known aforetime – vs. 16a - John 17:12 

b.       The betrayer of Christ – vs. 16b - John 6:64 

c.        Numbered among the faithful – vs. 17a

                                                                                                                                                   i.      It is a terribly grievous sin to have been offered the truth of God’s forgiveness and reject it

1.       Hebrews 10:29 

d.       Obtained a place of influence – vs. 17b

e.        Accepted a bribe – vs. 18a

f.        Died in a disgusting manner – vs. 18b

g.       Is remembered in infamy – vs. 19 - Matthew 27:3-10 

h.       Was predicted of old – vs. 20 - Psalm 109:8 

3.       Peter reminds them of the qualifications of Apostleship – vs. 21-22

a.        A replacement was necessary to be a witness of the resurrection

                                                                                                                                                   i.      Matthew 19:28 

b.       One of the qualifications was they had to have known Christ before and after His resurrection

                                                                                                                                                   i.      John 15:27; Acts 4:33 

b.       They attempt to heal – vs. 23-26

                                                                           i.      Two men who are believed to have fit the qualification are picked – vs. 23

1.       The problem with this is that all the previous Apostles were picked by God

a.        Luke 6:13; Acts 10:39-41; Ephesians 4:11 

                                                                         ii.      They ask God to authenticate their choice – vs. 24-25

1.       It is doubtful that their process of choosing a disciple was wrong or that they were not listening to God but rather that their timing was off. God simply honored this request at a different time.

a.        This could be why Paul kept insisting the following despite the choice that was made that day

                                                                                                                                                   i.      Paul was an Apostle born out of due time

1.       1 Corinthians 15:8-9 

                                                                                                                                                 ii.      Paul was an Apostle to the Gentiles - Galatians 2:8 

                                                                                                                                               iii.      While Paul did not witness the ministry of Christ, he insists that he one of the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. - 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 

                                                                       iii.      Matthias is chosen by the throw of the dice – vs. 26

1.       While Matthias was numbered among the other 11, at least for the time being, he is never mentioned again in scripture. Whatever your interpretation of the result, God was preparing this fractured broken group for great things. God shows His power through frail and fragile humans.

a.        Acts 2:32-36