The Book of Acts
Chapter 1:12-26
Verses 12-14
Acts1:12-14
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had
entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying:
Peter, James, John, 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 continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with
His brothers.” NKJV
The Apostles returned to Jerusalem from Mt. Olivet which was less
than a mile away. They assembled in an upper room with the women
[probably those who had accompanied Jesus and went to the empty
tomb]. Jesus’ brothers were also there. They had not been
believers before the resurrection.
Mark 6:3
“Is this not the carpenter, the Son o Mary, and brother of
James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with
us? So they were offended at Him.” NKJV
This is the last time Mary, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned in the
New Testament. If she had the exalted position that the Catholic
church believes she does, it would be likely for her to be mentioned
throughout the rest of the New Testament.
Verses 15-20
Acts 1:15-20
“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples
(altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and
said, ‘Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which
the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas,
who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered
with us and obtained a part in this ministry.’ (Now this man
purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong,
he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it
became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is
called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
For it is written in the Book of Psalms; ‘Let his dwelling place be
desolate; And let no one live in it; and, Let another take his
office.” NKJV
Peter described the need to replace Judas, the betrayer of Jesus.
Psalm 41:9 “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” NKJV This
verse prophesied about his deed. Peter’s account of Judas’ death
and Matthew’s account supplement one another. Matthew 27:3-10
“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was
remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief
priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent
blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’ Then
he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and
went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver
piece and said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury,
because they are the price of blood.’ And they consulted together
and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this
day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet,
saying, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him
who was priced whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave
them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” NKJV This
shows that a person has free will. Judas hung himself and
eventually his decaying body fell and burst open. Also read II
Corinthians 7:10. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading
to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world
produces death.” NKJV Peter then quoted two Old Testament
passages that prophesy about Judas. Psalm 69:25 “Let their
dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents.” NKJV
Psalm 109:8 “Let his days be few, And let another take his
office.” NKJV Zechariah 11:13 “And the Lord said to me,
Throw it to the “potter” – that princely price they set on me, So I
took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of
the Lord for the potter.” NKJV A potter’s field was owned by a
maker of clay vessels. The field eventually became useless.
Verses 21-26
Acts 1:21-26
“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that
the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism
of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must
become a witness with us of His resurrection.’ And they proposed
two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and
Matthias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, O Lord, who know the
hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part
in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place.’ And they cast their lots,
and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven
apostles.” NKJV
Peter gave the qualifications necessary for Judas’ replacement: The
word aner (male) is used for man.
·
He needed to have been with them since the baptism of John.
·
He needed to have witnessed the ascension.
·
He needed to have witnessed the resurrected Christ.
This shows clearly there are no living apostles today. Nobody
could meet these requirements. Matthias was chosen as the
apostle. Regarding casting lots – note Proverbs 16:33
“The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from
the Lord.” NKJV
·
Why did Judas need to be replaced? Possible it was because of
Matthew 19:28 “So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to
you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the
throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on
twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” NKJV
Luke 22:28-30 “But you are those who have continued with Me
in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My
Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My
table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.” NKJV They judged mainly by the word they
preached.
·
Note also – “Judas went to his own place” in Verse 25. He went
to where he belonged due to his sinful actions.
·
“Casting lots” put the decision into God’s hands. Proverbs
16:33 To determine God’s will today, we go to His inspired
Word.
Bobby Stafford
February 11, 2015 Lesson 4:
Acts 1:12-26
