Acts 1:12-26
What was your favorite board game as a child? Did it involve luck of the draw, taking risks or strategy? Which is your favorite game now, and why?
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- Who was present at this meeting? Read Acts 1:15, Were there only 120 believers who were convinced of Jesus claims? From Mark 3:20-21, 31-35 and John 7:1-5, how do you account for this change in Jesus "family"? Why weren't "the women" mentioned by name?
- How did Judas die according to Acts 1:18-19? What did the Old Testament verses have to do with Judas?
- In light of Peter's denial of Jesus, how might the others feel about his leadership? How would the event of John 21:15-19 calm any fears they have?
- Given Acts 1:6-8, how would you be praying if you were in this group? What emotions would you express?
- What was the role of Scripture, prayer, discussion/conversation, qualifications, and trust in God when the disciples selected a replacement for Judas?
- What happened to Matthias after reading Acts 1:26?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What have been your best experiences in your prayer life? How is praying with others for a common mission (one that is beyond your natural ability) different from private prayer about your individual concerns?
- How does the pattern of decision-making here compare with the way you, your family or your church make important decisions? Which of the ingredients listed here do you need to utilize more?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
TRUST GOD, PRAYER IS A KEY COMPONENT — “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers .” Acts 1:14
In Acts 1:4 Jesus told His disciples to remain at Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. They needed God’s power to be effective witnesses. Acts 1:14 states that as they waited, “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer...” Shortly thereafter on the day of Pentecost, the disciples’ prayers were answered in a big way when thousands came to Christ!
Prayer is central to evangelism. We need to pray for God to open doors of opportunity. We need to ask for wisdom to know what to say and when to say it. We need to ask for sensitivity and boldness. We need to pray for the heart of the hearer to be receptive to the message. We must surround everything we do in prayer!
Paul affirmed the need for prayer, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:2-4
Notice Paul wanted specific prayer for God to open a door for the gospel, and for boldness for him and his companions to share. Even Jesus, prior to Pentecost, stressed the importance of evangelistic prayer. In Matthew 9:37-38 He told His disciples, ““The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” ”
In essence, He was telling the disciples there were myriads of people who needed salvation, yet few people willing to tell them. The disciples needed to ask God to send people into the harvest. They prayed and, a few verses later, became the answer to their own prayers, Jesus sent them out!
Today, the situation hasn’t changed much; the harvest is still plentiful, and the workers are few. We need to keep praying that God would motivate His children to go out into the harvest as workers. The exciting thing is, we can still be the answer to their prayers!
Many believers sincerely want to share their faith but forget the need for prayer. Without prayer they will only minister in the power of the flesh with minimal results. With prayer, they will move in the awesome power of the Spirit and see greater impact!
When you are a Christian, God has called you to share the good news with a dying world. Certainly it is scary, and undoubtedly there will be those who won’t listen. But in spite of fears or discomfort, we must prayerfully press into the task knowing that God is the one who moves hearts.
Footnotes:
apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.
baptize(d) A Greek word meaning to immerse, dip, or bury a person or thing briefly under water. Zealot The Zealots were a Jewish political group.
Scriptures Holy Writings--the Old Testament.
David King of Israel about 1000 years before Christ.
lots Rocks or sticks used like dice for making a choice.
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JUDAS ISCARIOT
By
Mark Moore
We really know very little about
this man. His name, Judas, was common enough in Jewish circles. His surname,
Iscariot, was not. Some argue that it identifies his hometown, Kerioth in
Judea. That is possible, but it may also be a Hebrew nickname meaning ―the
betrayer.‖ Both suggestions are speculative. What we do know is that Jesus
selected him to be an apostle and that none of his comrades suspected him of
avarice. This colossal villain fit in with God‘s people surprisingly well. In fact,
he was honored among them. He was the treasurer for the group (John 12:6;
13:29) and was granted the most honored seat at the last supper.
Clearly he distinguished himself by
betraying Jesus. In fact, whenever he is included in the list of Apostles, he
is identified as ―the betrayer‖ (Mt 10:4; Mk 3:19; Luke 6:16; Acts 1:16). The real question is, ―Why did he do it?‖
Some suggest that he was trying to force Jesus‘ hand. That is, he wanted Jesus
to boldly declare himself as the Messiah. While this is possible, it hardly
would have done Judas much good. After all, who would make Benedict Arnold the
Secretary of State?! Another suggestion is that Judas was disillusioned with
Jesus. He thought he would overthrow the Romans but Jesus persistently sticks
with this Spiritual stuff and Judas just got tired of it.
Perhaps this is so. But the
Scriptures only give two clues as to Iscariot‘s motive. First, the incident of
Mary anointing Jesus‘ feet with expensive perfume is taken out of chronological
order and placed next to Judas‘ secret meeting with the Sanhedrin. In the first
incident Judas objects to Mary‘s lavish gift to Jesus
(John 12:4–6). In the second, Judas
agrees to betray him for the negligible sum of 30 pieces of silver (Mt
26:14–16; Mk 14:10–11; Luke 22:3–6; John 13:2). This was the price paid for a
slave in the O.T. Somehow
Judas‘ love for money played a key
role in his betrayal of Christ.
The second clue is the sovereignty
of God. The O.T. predicted Judas‘ betrayal (Psa 41:9; 109:8), even the specifics
of thirty pieces of silver and buying the potter‘s field (Zech 11:12, 13).
Jesus also foretold his defection (Mt 26:21–25; Mk 14:18–21; Luke 22:21–23).
John 13:18–26 says this fulfilled Psalm 41:9.
Jesus explicitly states he was
―Doomed to destruction‖ (John 17:12). Apparently God gave him over to the
Devil. Luke 22:3 and John 13:2, 27 identify when Satan actually entered his
heart. This raises more questions than it answers. Suffice to say, he was
clearly predestined by God to this task, and also clearly held responsible for
his own dastardly deed (Acts 1:16–20).
That fateful night Judas led a
considerable company of soldiers to one of Jesus‘ favorite haunts. He knew they
would find him there. Although Jesus first spoke and first identified himself as
the wanted Galilean, Judas still carried through with his treachery. Feigning
friendship he cried out, ―Hail Rabbi,‖ and kissed him profusely (Mt 26:47–50;
Mk 14:43–45; Luke 22:47–49; John 18:2–5).
After Jesus‘ arrest and execution,
Judas felt sorry. He wanted to undo his act. That, of course, was impossible.
But at least he thought he would return the silver. When the chief priests wouldn't accept the blood-money, he threw it into the temple (Mt 27:3–10). This
presented a problem to the priests who had to retrieve their tainted cash from
the holy place. With it they later purchased the field where Judas hanged
himself. Luke, however, says Judas fell and popped open, leaving his entrails
splattered across the steeps of Gehenna. This does not contradict Matthew‘s
rendition, but rather complements it. Judas hanged himself. His bloated body
began to rot in the hot Palestinian sun. Perhaps it was the earthquake that
broke the branch or perhaps a shakily tied knot finally slipped loose. But
somehow Judas fell down the cliffs leaving his mark as he went. Thus the place
was named after him, ―Akeldama‖ meaning ―field of blood‖ (Acts 1:1819)
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##RESURRECTION APPEARANCES
1. Appearances on the day of the Resurrection:
a Mary Magdalene — Mark 16:9–11; John 20:11–18
b The Women — Matthew 28:9–10
c Two on the way to Emmaus — Luke 24:13–22
d Peter — 1 Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:36–43; John 20:19ff.
e The Ten — Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36; John 20:19ff.
2. Appearances one week later (the following Sunday):
a The Eleven — John 20:26–31
3. Other Appearances:
a The Seven by the Sea of Galilee — John 21:1–23
b The 500 (Great Commission?) — 1 Corinthians 15:6; Matthew 28:16– 20
c In Jerusalem (Commission Repeated?) — Mark 16:15–18
d James — 1 Corinthians 15:7
e The Disciples (further commission) — Acts 1:3–8; Luke 24:44–49
f The Ascension — Acts 1:9–12; Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–53
g Stephen — Acts 7:54–60
h Paul — Acts 9:1–6
THEOLOGY OF THE RESURRECTION IN ACTS
I. It is the centerpiece of every sermon whether to Jews (2:24–36; 3:15; 4:10–11;
5:30–32; 23:6–8; 26:23) or Gentiles (10:40; 13:32–37; 17:31; 24:15). It was even the normative status reported in a summary statement (4:33).
1. The only exception is with Stephen (who sees Jesus standing at God‘s right hand, 7:55–56) and Paul‘s appeal to the Lystrans not to sacrifice to him (14:15–17) though it is probably presumed
in the faith of the Lame man who heard Paul‘s preaching (v. 9).
2. It is also muted in Paul‘s address in chapter 22:6–9, 18 on the stair-steps, though he was clearly speaking with Jesus who was raised.
3. These two anomalies can be explained by the fact that it is the Twelve, specifically who are witnesses to the resurrection (cf. 1:22;
13:30–31; 5:30–32).
II. The resurrection was a necessity for God‘s plan
1. It was prophesied (2:24–32; 3:25–26; 10:43; 13:30–37; 17:2–3; 24:15; 26:22–23).
2. It is the good news (17:18) and the proof of his divine position (17:31) but also an object of ridicule among the Greeks (17:32; 26:8)
as well as the Sadducees (23:6–8; 24:21).
3. It was Jesus‘ own exaltation (Acts 2:34; 3:13–15; 5:31; cf. 7:56) and established him as judge of all men (10:42; 17:31).
III. It is the foundation for new life
1. Physical healing (3:15–16; 4:10).
2. Forgiveness of sins (4:10–12; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38–39).
3. Our future resurrection (4:2; 24:15).
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CHURCH GROWTH IN ACTS
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1:15
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120
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2:41
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3,000 souls
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2:47
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Adding Daily
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4:4
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5,000 men
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5:14
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Multitudes constantly added
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6:1
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Disciples increasing in number
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6:7
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Disciples increased greatly with many priests
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6:15
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Numbers increasing daily
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9:31
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Continued to increase in peace
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11:21
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Large numbers believed and turned to the Lord
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12:24
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The Word continued to grow and be multiplied
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16:5
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Growing Daily
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19:20
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The Word was growing mightily and prevailing
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21:20
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Myriads = 10,000s
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28:31
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Teaching continued on without hindrance
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=================
Casting
Lots
Mark
Scott
I.
What is the Casting of Lots?
In evangelistic visitation once I met a man who thought that
the way the 120 chose Matthias to be an apostle was quite tacky. I could appreciate
his wonderment about it all. Is this
some kind of bingo for God? When the lot
fell to Matthias did they all yell, "Yes, lucky number seven!"? It does seem to us like an odd way to get an
apostle.
But God has used casting lots as a way for His people to
discern his will. Literally the text
reads, "they gave lots to them."
It could be done in several ways.
It was not uncommon to put names in a jar and shake the jar until one of
the names falls out. This person was
then chosen. Other methods similar to drawing straws could be used. (See Reese, p.31).
II.
Where Else is Casting Lots Mentioned?
Num. 26:55
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Land was
distributed by lot.
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Josh. 7:14
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To discern
who sinned
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I Sam.
10:20–21
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Selection of
Saul
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Lev. 16:8
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Selection of
the scapegoat
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I Sam.
14:41, 42
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To discern
Jonathan's sin
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Neh. 10:34f
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Who was to serve in the
temple
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There are other references, but these at least show that God
used the method of casting of lots to help people discern his will in the O.T.,
no matter how odd it may seem to us. It
is significant to note that this is the last time in the Bible where casting
lots is mentioned. After the significant
covenant change of Acts 2 the leaders and followers had the Holy Spirit to help
guide them.
III.
Was This a God-Led Decision?
Luke certainly presents it that way. There is no suggestion in the broader
context, or anywhere else in the Bible, that this was a mistake. Remember that Peter based his message about
Judas in Scripture (Psa 69;25;109:8), and the church bathed this decision in
prayer as they sought the Lord. Prov.
16:33 says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from
the Lord." The early church trusted in the sovereignty of God and so must
we. Stott suggests that the church used
Scripture, common sense, and prayer, a wholesome combination (Stott, The Spirit, the Church, and the World,
p. 59).
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