2. Review
Gathering them together, He commanded them
not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the
Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you
heard of from Me; for John baptized with water,
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not
many days from now.”
Acts 1:4–5 2
4. So far so good
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,
4
5. The gang’s all here
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.
5
6. VERY GOOD
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.
6
8. Let’s see what happens next
At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the
brethren…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.” 8
10. Peter continues
“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.
10
11. Turned to the word
Psalm 69:25 & 109:8
Jesus had given insight
Rightly divided the word of truth
11
12. Whoa!
“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.”
12
13. We are seeing a business meeting evolve
We must choose a replacement before we can go
any further.
Peter is a leader
Strong personality
In Jesus’ inner circle
13
14. Here’s why
So when they had come together, they
were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this
time You are restoring the kingdom to
Israel?”
Acts 1:6 14
15. The Kingdom of Heaven
You are those who have stood by Me in My
trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a
kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink
at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:28–30 15
17. Let’s take an expanded look
Gospel accounts of the final words of Jesus Christ
Acts 1 and Luke 24
Mark 16
Matthew 28
17
18. They forgot
It is not for you to know times or
epochs which the Father has fixed by
His own authority;
Acts 1:7 18
19. Last words
but you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and even to the
remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 19
20. Luke’s Gospel
Thus it is written, that the Christ would
suffer and rise again from the dead the
third day, and that repentance for
forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in
His name to all the nations, beginning from
Jerusalem.
Luke 24:46–49 20
21. Luke’s Gospel
You are witnesses of these things. And
behold, I am sending forth the promise of
My Father upon you; but you are to stay in
the city until you are clothed with power
from on high.”
Luke 24:46–49 21
23. The Gospel of Mark
Go into all the world and preach the
gospel to all creation. He who has believed
and has been baptized shall be saved; but
he who has disbelieved shall be
condemned. These signs will accompany
those who have believed:
Mark 16:15–18 23
24. The Gospel of Mark
in My name they will cast out demons,
they will speak with new tongues; they will
pick up serpents, and if they drink any
deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they
will lay hands on the sick, and they will
recover.”
Mark 16:15–18 24
26. The Great Commission
All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:18–20 26
27. The Great Commission
teaching them to observe all that I
commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:18–20 27
29. Back to the business meeting
So they put forward two men, Joseph
called Barsabbas (who was also called
Justus), and Matthias.
29
30. Apostle qualifications
And He [Jesus] went up on the mountain and
summoned those whom He Himself wanted,
and they came to Him. And He appointed
twelve, so that they would be with Him and that
He could send them out to preach, and to have
authority to cast out the demons.
Mark 3:13–15 30
31. Job qualifications
• Wanted by Jesus
(calling)
• Be with him
(taught)
• Willing to be sent
out (preach)
• Given authority
(power)
31
32. And they prayed
“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.”
32
33. Not a recommended way to make decisions
And they drew lots for them, and the lot
fell to Matthias; and he was added to the
eleven apostles.
33
35. Persecuted church
Jailed Christians
Was on his way to Damascus to do the same
Jesus struck him down and blinded him
Conversion
3 days later Ananias was praying
Saul of Tarsus
35
36. Jesus said
“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine,
to bear My name before the Gentiles and
kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show
him how much he must suffer for My
name’s sake.”
Acts 9:15–16 36
37. Jesus called him
Assigned him to preach
Gave him divine revelation
Baptized him in the Holy Spirit with fire
Think about it
37
38. Paul had some problems
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by
man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Galatians 1:1 AV 38
40. What Biblical Principles Should I Apply to My Decision?
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes
knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
40
41. Ask
1. What does the Bible have to say
about this decision?
2. Who can help me better
understand what God’s Word says
about this decision?
41
42. Do I Have All The Facts?
He who gives an answer before he hears, it
is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:13
42
43. Consider
1. Ask a lot of questions.
2. Don’t let “wishful thinking” or
your emotions get the best of
you.
43
44. How Should Past Experiences Inform My Decision?
Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a
fool who repeats his folly.
Proverbs 26:11
44
46. What Is The Collective Counsel of My Community?
Where there is no guidance the people
fall, But in abundance of counselors
there is victory.
Proverbs 11:14
46
47. Ask
1. Have I asked my family, friends
and church?
2. Do I know anyone who has been
through this?
47
48. Could This Decision Jeopardize My Integrity or My Witness?
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but
he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9
48
49. Ask
1. Are you seeing how close you can
get to the edge or how far you can
stay away?
2. Ask yourself, “Would this pass the
’newspaper‘ test?”
49
50. What is God saying?
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask
of God, who gives to all generously and
without reproach, and it will be
given to him.
James 1:5
50
51. What is God saying?
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He
will guide you into all the truth; for He will
not speak on His own initiative, but
whatever He hears, He will speak; and He
will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:13
51
Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Wait, remember what I’ve told you, new baptism coming
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.
All caught up, Fresh in your mind
Have you ever had a conversation with someone where they totally missed the point of what you were trying to say?
At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren…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.”
Thief
Betrayer
Lead soldiers and temple guards
Tried to return money
Hung himself
“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.
Psalm 69:25 & 109:8
Jesus had given insight
Rightly divided the word of truth
“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.”
We must choose a replacement before we can go any further.
Peter is a leader
Strong personality
In Jesus’ inner circle
To understand “why” we need to go back to the last conversation Jesus had with his apostles
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
What does this have to do with choosing a replacement?
You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew say 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes
Jesus must have forgot something!
Twelve thrones
Twelve Apostles
Since we only have 11, we must fix the problem.
The accounts of the final words of Jesus Christ
Acts 1 and Luke 24
Mark 16
Matthew 28
It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Hold a business meeting to pick a replacement first
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed:
in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Preach, baptize, miraculous signs
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
None of these accounts say anything about fixing Jesus’ oversight
So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.
They chose these two men as being qualified- What are the qualifications to be an Apostle?
And He [Jesus] went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.
Wanted by Jesus (calling)
Be with him (taught)
Willing to be sent out (preach)
Given authority (power)
Think about the 70 Jesus sent out later
“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.
Flip a coin, draw straws, pull a name out of a hat
We never hear of Matthias again
Persecuted church
Jailed Christians
Was on his way to Damascus to do the same
Jesus struck him down and blinded him
Conversion
3 days later Ananias was praying
“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Jesus called him
Jesus assigned him to preach
Gave him divine revelation
Baptized him in the Holy Spirit with fire
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
A biblical view
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
What does the Bible have to say about this decision?
Who can help me better understand what God’s Word says about this decision?
He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:13
Ask a lot of questions.
Don’t let “wishful thinking” or your emotions get the best of you.
Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a
fool who repeats his folly.
Proverbs 26:11
Learn from your mistakes!
Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors
there is victory.
Proverbs 11:14
Have I asked my family, friends and church?
Do I know anyone who has been through this?
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9
Are you seeing how close you can get to the edge or how far you can stay away?
Ask yourself, “Would this pass the ’newspaper‘ test?”
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be
given to him.
James 1:5
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:13