A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Acts

Acts 2:14-41

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I am trying to decide if I should break up Acts 2:14-41 into smaller sections as it is a very long piece.  The fact that half of it is poetic seems to beg me to not do that.  But it just seems like a very long piece to work through in the course of one week.  In the ESV bible that I am using this section is entitled “Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost” which also begs me to leave it as one section.   I guess time will tell eh?  🙂   

I must apologize.  Through busyness with other things, the start of life group, and not making this a priority in my life, my progress stalled for a bit. 

In the meantime this section reads as such: 

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

And the passage continues….

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:14-42

My Initial Thoughts

We left last week with some people expressing skepticism at what was occurring with the apostles.  So Peter speaks up, giving explanation for what is going on.  They aren’t drunk!  He tend used the scriptures they were well familiar with to explain what was going on.  He also went on to speak about who Christ was, and again, used scripture to prove his points. 

A combination of busyness, the length of the passage feeling daunting,  and not putting this first in my life has led to a delay in posting this.  🙂 

Verses 14-21

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

So Peter took the leadership role, standing with the eleven and speaking out.  He boldly addressed the scoffers saying listen up! The apostles were not drunkards (after all it was only the third hour of the day).  And rather gives them the words of Joel to heed. 

See these words from Joel 2

“And it shall come to pass afterward,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even on the male and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

There are some differences, but overall they are the same.   

The prophetic

I have to admit to feeling a bit uncomfortable with this passage.  Paul brings the past directly into the future saying these things will still happen.  Young women and men prophesying, older men having dreams and young men seeing visions.  It’s like… what do I DO with this?  

I know from reading that sometimes Arab people come to faith because God talks to them and gives them visions and dreams.  He shows them who he is in ways they can’t deny.  Is that part of this? Is that part of how the Spirit moves in people?  

I struggled in a church I previously attended when people claimed they had a prophetic vision and it just didn’t make sense to me when honestly it’s just God being God calling his people to faith and repentance and action.   Does it take a dream to be prophetic to know that’s God’s call upon our lives? It’s just plain scriptural!  So these words make me wonder if there is something I’m missing. 

Physical Signs

The whole smoke, fire, clouds and natural wonders….. that to me is more tangible than prophetic words and easier to grasp. I can see God so clearly in nature and that things that happen around us. Through nature and the unexplained actions of people I can see God at work and his saving power upon us. It’s like it calls to my very soul.   

But the whole prophetic… I don’t get it.  I just don’t know and I don’t really know where to go with it from here. 

photo of fire
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verses 22-28

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
    my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
    or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Peter speaks to who Jesus is.  A man that God provided clear evidence of was raised up by him.  How did God provide clear evidence of who Jesus was?   

  • mighty works
  • wonders
  • signs

God does all these things! 

All these things God did through Christ.  And this Jesus who them crucified and killed.  GOD raised him up.  God loosed the hold that death had on him. BECAUSE… get this…. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Jesus could NOT be held by death. This is the Jesus that David testified to. 

So now we have hope we can dwell in, and live with glad hearts, and are able to speak with joy. You need to think about what the means deep down.  Jesus couldn’t be contained by death and so was raised up.   God did this for us. And now we have a way of living that no one truly had before.  Can you imagine the difference hope has on a person? 

grass park leaf ground
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Verses 29-35

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35     until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

Peter keeps reminding their listeners what God did and what they KNOW God did. They know that David was a prophet.  David died, and was buried and is STILL buried.  BUT HE talked about Jesus and how he wouldn’t be left in the grave. 

I love how Peter walks his audience through their own history and promised future. King David was much beloved and well-known so his words would be heeded. David knew that one of his offspring would sit on the throne and that his descendent would be greater than he was.  He also foreknew that Jesus would not be stuck in the ground. He would sit on the right hand of God! 

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Verses 36-42

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Paul’s words were convicting. 

Jesus was crucified and buried, by the very people listening to him. Jesus their Lord and Messiah. 

Wanting to know what to do about this feeling of conviction, the listeners turned to Peter with questions of “Brothers, what shall we do?“

Peter doesn’t leave them hanging.  He tells them plainly what they are to do.  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Do you see it?   This promise wasn’t just for the believers of the day, but for future generations as well.  Repentance and baptism, it’s what we are told to do.  But not just any type of baptism, but one done in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness.   Do this: receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Peter continued to talk with them, pleading with them, warning them.  The end result was 3000 people coming to faith.  Can you imagine it?  

You see I have this picture in my mind of the disciples suddenly speaking in tongues and a crowd of about one to two hundred is gathered round.  But 3000!?!?!?   Where did these 3000 come from?  How did Peter get them all to hear him?  This folks, this is God at work! 

cobblestone street in old town
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Thoughts raised for me

What does it mean to me that because of what God did, I can dwell in hope, have a glad heart and a tongue that rejoices?   Does it truly change anything in my life?  (at least in a tangible way that others can see?).   Do I truly understand what God did in providing his people hope? 

How do I explain the 3000 people being able to hear what Peter said amidst the noise and confusion of that day?  The apostles speaking in tongues, folks questioning why, and yet 3000 souls turned to the Lord.   3000 people who originally scoffed, or questioned what was going on, and Peter used scripture and the Lord’s prompting to let them be convicted and change the course of their life.   God can just make it happen you know?  City streets and homes are not the same as hilltops that can be natural amphitheaters (like when Jesus taught 1000’s on the hilltops).  People heard and lives where changed.   Do I let my life be changed by what God teaches and shows me? 

The Rest of This Series

Acts 2:1-13

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We’ve seen Luke bring us a brief history of his previous work, and then to walk us through what happened post-resurrection.   The need to replace Judas as a living witness.  And the need to wait for the power of the Spirit (the promised helper to come).   Today in Acts 2:1-13 we see the result of that waiting around, that trusting Jesus’ words to come true. 

Acts 2:1-13

Initial Thoughts

I think that it would have been SO amazing AND So very confusing to have been there.  A huge wind, and then flames of fire floating as people began speaking in different languages.  So …. just so.. WOW.    It’s not wonder to me that people were amazing and perplexed, OR that some would turn their confusion into a scathing skepticism. 

Acts 2:1-13 Paragraph One vv 1-4

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

It’s the day of Pentecost.  The very first day. No one really knew what to expect.  Suddenly a sound like a blowing wind came.   Not it’s not a blowing wind, just the sound of it.  Have you ever experienced that?   I’ve heard the sound of blowing wind before and gone out to see where it is and been surprised not to see or feel any evidence of such.  It left me feeling bewildered.  🙂  

So I’m imagining the disciples sitting around, hearing this wind, without their being one.  I’m thinking they’d be a bit startled eh?  Having this sound all around them in the house, but no wind blowing around them.  And then flames of fire!   

Think about it.  How startling and amazing and wonderful it would all be at the same time.  Flames of fire lighting on each person present.  Resting on them.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in languages new to them. 

Now the disciples didn’t just willy-nilly start speaking in tongues.  They spoke in the languages as the Holy Spirit enabled them.   Makes me ask myself the question: What does the Holy Spirit enable me to do?   Has he given me a special gift?  

Paragraph two vv 5-12

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

So, the disciples/apostles were gathered in a room, in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem was a bustling city, lots of people around, a city that drew in people from a variety of places. Biblical Archaeology tells us that “Jerusalem was a diverse city and pilgrimage center in the first century“. 

People Came From All Over

We know that in Jerusalem there were God-fearing Jews from all over the place. “staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven“.   Wouldn’t it be astonishing to hear Galileans talking in your own language?  I certainly don’t fault them for being completely amazed… would you?   

I also don’t blame them for trying to figure out what was going on.  Like it’s not everyday that you hear folks talking about the wonders of God in our own tongues!.  Look at all the places these folks hailed from including the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites.  Folks came from Pontus, Asia, Cappadocia, Rome, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Crete, Arabia, Libya and Egypt. 

It would seem that Jerusalem was a bit of a melting pot of nationalities back in the day.   You’d almost think that God’s planning was what it needed to be.  A wide variety of Jews and converts to Judaism all gathered in one spot where the Holy Spirit was doing a working.

Paragraph three v 13

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

And of course, you’re always going to have the scoffers and mockers.  People have no idea about what is going on but would never believe that a supernatural event was going on.  They’ll blame it on whatever seems the handiest.  And saying that people were drinking too much might make the most sense to such folk don’t you think? 

Final Thoughts

So would I have been a scoffer back in the day or one who was perplexed, trying to figure out the meaning behind all these languages?   Honestly, there are times I think it could go either way.  But I have to say that over the years I’ve become more prone to simply seeing God at work.  God is amazing at how he orchestrates what needs doing. 

I think though, that I would have been one to stand and listen.  To be amazed at hearing about the wonders of God spoken in a way that I could understand clearly. It would have been so life changing don’t you think?   

And yet, here today, we have the word of God clearly written for us.  In different translations that work for the different ways people think.  And do we take advantage of it?  Too often we don’t take the time to simply listen to what God would say to us. Spending time in his word, letting the Holy Spirit impact our lives, seeing Jesus doing what he does best, and just everything.  

The Rest of This Series

Acts 1:12-26

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So, I’m taking about a week with each of these sections.  I’m rather enjoying the time to think, to research, to read articles about ideas raised, to check out different translations, and so forth.   Hopefully, anyone who is following along doesn’t mind the once a week posting format.   This week I am working on Acts 1:12-26 which will finish off the chapter.   Part one and part two are linked for you.

Acts 1:12-26

Acts 1:12-26 ESV Translation

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, 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. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Initial Thoughts, questions about contenders

Well, that was a rather gruesome story about the ending of Judas.  But it did give the backstory for the need to have a new member of the disciples.   I like how they gave the criteria they required to fill the position.    Of course I had the question of just who was Joseph Barsabbas/Justus and Matthias. 

Who was Joseph Barsabbas/Justus?

Joseph Barsabbas/Justus was one of the many followers of Jesus right from the beginning.  We know this because it was one of the requirements to be considered in the running. Justus means “Just one” and was a title probably given due to his integrity.  Barsabbas was probably a patrynomic meaning Son of Sabbas (which can mean a variety of things such as son of oath, son of old man.  Christian tradition has him as one of the numbered 70, and some guy named Papias says he drank a cup of poison with no harm coming to him.  He was Jewish. 

The whole cup of poison being drank led me down a bunny trail to Mark 16

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

That would have been rather cool eh?   To know it was poison, and then see God at work saving him?  Huh, the things you see when you give some thought to it all eh?

Who was Matthias? 

Elected by Lot as one of the apostles replace Judas. Also a Jewish person who had been part of Jesus’ ministry from the beginning.  The Apocrypha has him doing ministry in Jerusalem, and possibly having to deal with cannibals at one point.  

Acts 1:12-14

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, 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. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

So, Jesus has ascended.  With great joy the disciples went to Jerusalem where they sat around waiting.  Jesus had promised to send a helper of great power.   So they were all there along with the women and Jesus’ mom and brothers.  11 apostles: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Phillip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas bar James along with the ladies and brothers. 

What they were doing was praying together in the upper room where they were staying.  Would this be the upper room where they had the Lord’s supper I wonder? I suppose that doesn’t really matter though.   The important thing is they were in a safe place that they knew well. 

But don’t miss this part they were “with one accord”.   How often do a group of believers get together and be of one accord.  They weren’t arguing  

Acts 1:15-20

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

Judas’ Result Foretold?

Other than the fact this passage is a bit gruesome with the whole manner of death for Judas I was stunned to read that all of this was foretold.    The passages Peter quoted come from the book of Psalms.  Sometimes I forget how prophecy’s can be layered with more than one future foretold.  There is so much depth in scripture that it’s easy to forget to keep looking for more.  Like I’ve read the book of Acts more than once, but somehow in all that time I glossed over this whole passage. 

Psalm 69:25

May their camp be a desolation;
    let no one dwell in their tents.

Psalm 109:8

May his days be few;
    may another take his office!

Suicide or Accident?

I was also surprised by the “falling head long he burst open in the middle” as my understanding was that Judas committed suicide.   But as I researched this a bit, I was reminded that one needs to consider the authors perspective and the timeline they might be using.  For instance Matthew, who tells us about Judas’ suicide speaks of the first action, whereas Luke speaks to the result of the suicide.  Imagine what would happened if You killed yourself and where cut down (or had the rope you used break).   You just might fall head down and burst open as well… bodies do interesting things once they are dead.  (as gruesome as that might be to contemplate.    I found Answering Islam  helpful in working through this passage.    

Be a Detective

I guess what I need to remember sometimes is that every time someone tells a story, particularly if more than one person tells the story, each person will bring something different out.  And tell it from their own perspective and if one listens to ALL the stories, you’ll discover the truth. So we can’t expect Matthew to tell the story in the same way that Luke does.  Means that we need to read the bible like a detective solves a case. Sifting through the details until you see the whole story, until you see God at work. 

I was thinking about this at work this morning, having a bit of a difficult day, and I got to thinking about how even when we think we know the scriptures we don’t always.  When Jesus rose from the dead he met with some of his followers.  He took time to explain the Old Testament scriptures to them.  As he did so, he pointed out all the scriptures that pointed to him and explained who he was.   They were amazed at what he taught them. 

So we shouldn’t be surprised when we too are amazed at what God teaches us in his word.  Or even that we sometimes struggle with understanding it. 

Bad Choices

So we know the Judas died.  And it was the result of his own bad choices.  He did something he shouldn’t have, felt bad about it, and died as a result.  18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)  

It was Judas’ choice to betray his Lord and Master.  And it was because of his action, his remorse, that he died and that the Field of Blood came into being.  And everyone knew about it.  Therefore he forfeited his place among the 12 so a new member needed to be chosen. 

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Acts 1:21-26

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Criteria

Judas. No longer one of the 12.  They are down to 11. And Peter, with the 120 peoples gathered around sets out the criteria needed for a replacement.   This person needs to be a follower of Jesus from baptism through resurrection.  This person will join them as a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. 

Two people were chosen.   Barsabbas Justus and Matthias. .

You know what I notice here? They did all their deliberations but before they moved forward they prayed about it.  Their prayer wasn’t all elaborate with flowery words, but simple.  You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”  

Casting of Lots

The process after was simple enough.  They drew lots and Matthias became the replacement apostle.  Drawing lots is an age old method for determining the will of the gods (or God in the early Christian church).  

Casting of Lots hasn’t really died out though I think.  In many places, faith based or not, people often vote on who should be in a leadership position.  Our voting system is more or less based on the casting of lots don’t you think?  And who leads our land is in fact God’s choice.  Do most people vote in a prayerful manner?   In the non-faith based environment, I don’t think so.  But I would hope people of faith would take the time to pray before making their “cast lot”. 

It’s indeed a good reminder to me that I don’t need to be all fancy in my prayers, that simplicity works.  And that I need to be more mindful of talking to God about decisions that need making.  OH… and that I make them in light of the scriptures.   After all, the apostles didn’t willy-nilly decide to vote in a new apostle.  They followed the mandates of scripture. 

Closing Thoughts

It’s good to know who people in the bible are.  Not because it will change my life, but it helps to know who the players are you know?   It’s good to know that Matthias had a ministry as an apostle.  But Barabbas Justus, he didn’t just disappear.  Can you imagine proving scripture true and drinking poison and living to tell about it?  

A reminder to think through what I am doing.  Do I want to do such wickedness that I’d be led to kill myself?   I am not, what I would call, the most fervent believer out there.  God, in his mercy, continually draws me back to him. God, always minds me and his Spirit checks me from being more wicked than I already am. 

A call to be more faithful in prayer, particularly when I’m in a decision making mode.  I’m not saying I have to talk with God about what to plant in my garden!  But don’t you think it would be good to say “hey God, I have this day before me, help me make wise decisions?”  Or when I have hard decisions to make, to draw him into the conversation as well?  It’s too easy to think I have to do it all on my own. That’s not the case at all. 

How about you?  What thoughts does God place on your heart with this passage? 

The Rest of This Series

Acts 1:1-5

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Okay, for a while I’ve been feeling pulled to study the book of Acts, so here goes.  I’ll read in how my bible divides into section.  Today we are starting with Acts 1:1-5, which reads as follows in the ESV. 

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:1-5

The author of the book of Acts is believed to be Luke.  He never really identifies himself beyond saying he is a companion of Paul throughout this book.  I won’t go into all the reasons why he’s believed to be the author.  You can find out more about the reasoning at Christianity.com. It all made sense to me.  🙂   

So that makes the first book that Luke wrote, the book of Luke, where indeed, the did deal with what Jesus did and taught. 

Who is Theophilus?   

His name means friend of God or (be)loved by God or loving God.   Some think that he was a Roman dignitary of some sort as Luke addresses him as “Most Excellent” in the book of Luke.    Be the said, most Christian scholars think he was a Gentile, but  Jewish Scholars think he was a high priest. Just exactly who he was has been lost to history.  

So basically the book of Acts is Luke continuing his conversation with Theophilus.  Explaining to him the things of Christ and then working with him through how God worked in the early Church.   But here in the first part of Acts, we find Luke giving a short synopsis of the book of Luke and Jesus’ last instruction to them. 

The Synopsis of Luke

I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

A Promise of the Story Continuing

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Do you see it?  The promise?  Jesus is going away, but …  but …  but…. A promise… you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit soon! 

This is how the book of Luke ended.   Luke 24:44-49

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Isn’t it so similar to how Acts starts?  But here, that promise of the Father is linked with being clothed with power from on high.

So often I forget the power that is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is POWER FROM ON HIGH!  And in the book of Acts we’ll get to see the results of that power.  The birth of the early church, Christ in action.   I’m kinda looking forward to slowly going through Acts and seeing that, aren’t’ you?