- Acts 1:21-26
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- Acts 1:21 (KJB)
- Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that
the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
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- Peter now begins to lay down the qualifications for the one who is going
to replace Judas. They could not be a late comer but must have been with the
twelve disciples when they were ministering with the Lord Jesus Christ for
the full three and half years. They needed to be fully informed as to the
life and events in the life of Christ and what had transpired. They could
not be one who just read about Christ and His earthly ministry, they needed
to be full eyewitnesses to everything. This also gives a good insight that
those who are chosen to do any kind of public ministry, they need to have a
very good grasp on the teachings of Scripture.
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- Acts 1:22 (KJB)
- 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.
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- Peter continues the qualifications needed to fill the office of Judas in
fulfillment of the Scripture. This person must have been familiar by first
hand knowledge with the entire ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only then
would they be qualified to become an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, to be
numbered with the twelve. They needed also to be a witness of the
resurrection. This could definitely not be known from secondary sources or
else the witness of the resurrection would be suspect in the minds of the
hearers. They had to witness the fact that Christ walked the earth for forty
days after His resurrection and this was done by physically seeing Him with
one’s own eyes.
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- Acts 1:23 (KJB)
- And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus,
and Matthias.
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- There were only two men who met the conditions to take the place of
Judas. The first was Joseph called Barsabas. Nothing is known about this man
except that he must have been an exemplary disciple and faithful for the
entire ministry of Christ to have been named. He also had a Roman Surname
called “Justus.” The name “Barsabas” means “son of the Sabbath” which means
he may have been born on the Sabbath. The second nominee was Matthias who
according to Eusebius some three centuries later was one of the seventy
which was sent out.
(Luke 10:1 KJV)
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two
and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would
come. Nothing more is known about Matthias but he
too must have been a faithful disciple to be nominated.
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- Acts 1:24 (KJB)
- And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all
men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
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- The Apostles first prayed to the Lord for wisdom concerning the choice
to replace Judas. It is a good prayer because they are calling on the Lord
who knows the hearts of all people and the Lord’s choice would be the right
one since He knows the hearts of all men.
(John 2:24 KJV) But Jesus did not commit
himself unto them, because he knew all
men, Their
confidence was so high in the Lord that they already knew in their hearts
that the Lord had chosen one of them. Since these were the original twelve
Apostles and were the Apostles of Christ, it was necessary that Jesus pick
the replacement.
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- Acts 1:25 (KJB)
- That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas
by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
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- They sought the Lord for His choice of replacement. This is also a great
principle when having to replace a person in ministry. The choice must never
be made based on friendship with the individual or friendship with the
nominating committee, education, finances, or family connection. Whenever a
person is needed to fill or refill a position, a serious seeking of the Lord
must take place to get His choice, no matter how long it takes to bring that
correct individual to the ministry. During the earthly ministry of Christ,
Judas was thought to be a legitimate disciple but after his actions in
betraying Christ, the other disciples knew that he was of Satan and his soul
was now awaiting the Judgment on the last day when he will be judged and
cast into hell. The Scripture calls it “his own place” which would aptly
apply to the final place of all unbelievers.
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- Acts 1:26 (KJB)
- And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he
was numbered with the eleven apostles.
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- The disciples, after praying, had used an Old Testament method of casing
lots to pick the right person.
(Prov
16:33 KJV) The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof
is of the LORD. They would have known about
this Proverb plus the casting of lots was used extensively in Old Testament
times. (Lev 16:8 KJV) And Aaron shall
cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for
the scapegoat. (Josh 18:6 KJV) Ye shall therefore describe the land into
seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may
cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. (1 Chr 26:14 KJV) And the
lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise
counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
When the disciples cast lots for the decision, the lot
fell upon Matthias and he was then chosen to be numbered with the twelve.
The casting of lots is never again mentioned in the Bible after this time.
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