After Jesus ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to wait on the coming of the Holy Ghost.

1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 May 25, 2011 This Sunday is Fifth Sunday ; Church dinner and fellowship following the morning service. Pure Heart Sunday, June 5 11:00 A.M.

2. Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. (about 3000 feet; just over ½ mile).

3. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room , … The lower stories had smaller rooms , so the load-bearing walls would support the upper stories. Upstairs the rooms could be much larger. This room held at least 120 people.

4. 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. The eleven chosen disciples who were left. They were not alone --

5. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication , with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren . John 7 5 For neither did His brethren believe in Him. They had seen the miracles; lived with Him in His early years at home. But they did not believe . After His resurrection , they believed.

6. Mark 6 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country , and among his own kin , and in his own house . 5 And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them . 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching.

7. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication , with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren. (120) They were there for several days, and continued in prayer and supplication They were worshipping the Lord, and asking for the coming of the Holy Ghost. No matter what!

8. 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 ,) Peter was the natural leader of the group. The entire group is called " disciples ". They had all followed Jesus and been faithful , except for His brothers , and now they have been converted .

9. 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. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Psalms 109 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Peter is applying this to Judas.

10. 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. 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. Although Judas didn't directly buy this field, it was bought with his blood money. He threw the money at the priest's feet , and they bought the field in Judas' name. Matt 27:3-10

11. 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 . 21 Where fore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.

12. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed , and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 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. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Matthias made twelve again.

13. Reminder : The Holy Ghost had not come at this time to dwell in the hearts of Christians. Romans 8 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. No longer do we cast lots or use fleeces to know the Will of God. We are indwelt by God's Own Spirit ; He teaches us all that we need to know.