“Acts 1:12-26”

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, ‘Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it”; and, “Let another man take his office.” Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.’ So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Verse 13 – We find the eleven apostles assembled together in Jerusalem, just where Jesus had instructed them to be, waiting for the promised power from on high (verse 4).

Verse 14 – As they were gathered together they were engaged in the appropriate and important things. They were “continually devoting themselves to prayer”.

Verse 16 – “The scripture had to be fulfilled.” In case the brethren were overly discouraged about what the traitor Judas had done, Peter let them know that God had foreseen his treachery and used it to fulfill His purposes. David had prophesied beforehand that his place would be deserted and that another should take his office (verse 20; Psalm 69:25; 109:8).

Verses 18-19 – Obviously a lot more happened than Matthew revealed in his account of the suicide of Judas (Matthew 27:3-10). The “Field of Blood” didn’t just acquire its name from the fact that it was purchased with the “blood money” that lead to the execution of Jesus. Evidently when Judas died he hanged himself in that field, and at some point the rope broke causing his body to fall to the ground making a bloody mess!

Verses 21-26 – A successor is appointed to replace Judas as apostle. It is very telling that one of the qualifications of a true apostle is that he must have witnessed the resurrection of Jesus (verse 22). The Apostle Paul made it clear that when He saw the resurrected Jesus he had fulfilled this requirement (1 Corinthians 9:1). All others who claim to be apostles are mere frauds. It is also important to note that the apostles didn’t choose a replacement for Judas but God did that. They put forth the names of two qualified individuals and then left it up to the providence of God to make the selection.

Please read Acts 2:1-13 for tomorrow. 

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

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