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Bobby Stafford The Book of Acts 1:12-26    

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

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Genesis 22:17-18

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.