Acts 1:12-26 NIV
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 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.17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For,” said Peter, “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 place of leadership.’
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Preparation for the Promise
The disciples have been instructed by Jesus not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promised Holy Spirit (vv. 4-5; cf. Luke 24:49). They would not and could not fulfill their assigned mission- to be witnesses for Christ to the ends of the earth (v. 8)- until they received what was promised.
- They gathered: The twelve apostles minus Judas (cf. Luke 6:14-16), the women (cf. Luke 8:2-3; 23:49; 23:55-24:10), Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers (John 7:5; Mark 3:21, 31-35), and other believers totaling 120 (v. 15), were all together in proximity as well as being of one mind (cf. Acts 2:44; 4:32). This kind of oneness would be a hallmark of the early church.
- They waited: Jesus told the disciples that in “a few days” they would all be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), but it is not clear that they knew exactly when to expect it. They had to be ready at a moment’s notice to receive the promise at God’s appointed time.
- They prayed: Just as Jesus modeled and taught, the discipled prayed boldly and persistently, and specifically petitioned for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8).
- They organized: Perhaps believing they were about to reign over Israel on twelve thrones, the apostles felt compelled to appoint a replacement for Judas (v. 6; cf. Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). The disciples saw Judas’s apostasy as well as his replacement being foretold in the Scriptures (vv. 16-17, 20), and perceived many such promises being fulfilled in their midst. If anyone were to replace Judas, they would occupy a seat only reserved for those who were handpicked by Christ and witnesses of His resurrection (vv. 21-22). While there is some controversy as to whether or not Matthias was the rightful choice of apostle, there is no doubt that God ordained order for the church and would continue to bless the church with godly leaders (cf. Acts 6:1-7).
Are you prepared to receive what God has promised?