*Acts 1:12-26
The apostles return to Jerusalem, choose Matthias to replace Judas, and pray together in expectation of the Holy Spirit.
- Return to Jerusalem:
- After witnessing Jesus’ ascension from the Mount of Olives, the disciples return to Jerusalem, which becomes the focal point for the early Christian community.
- Disciples Gathered in Prayer:
- The disciples, including the eleven apostles, along with Mary the mother of Jesus and other women, gather together in an upper room for prayer.
- This period of waiting and prayer sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
- Peter’s Leadership:
- Peter emerges as a leader among the disciples, taking the initiative to address the group and guide their actions in the absence of Jesus.
- Selection of Matthias:
- Peter acknowledges the vacancy left by Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and died.
- The group decides to select a replacement apostle to restore the number of apostles to twelve, in fulfillment of Scripture.
- Criteria for Selection:
- Peter outlines the qualifications for the new apostle, emphasizing that the candidate must have been with them from the baptism of John until the ascension of Jesus and be a witness of the resurrection.
- Nomination of Candidates:
- Two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias, are proposed as candidates to fill the vacancy.
- Prayer and Casting Lots:
- The group prays for guidance and then casts lots to determine which of the two men God has chosen to become an apostle.
- The lot falls to Matthias, who is then numbered among the twelve apostles.
1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
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.
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.
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,) 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.
1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
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.
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.
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.
1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.
1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 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.
1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.