Replacing the Traitor Acts 1: Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over the apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven disciples. (Acts 1:24-26)

Introduction The right men had to carry on the unfinished work of Jesus to proclaim the gospel A replacement had to be chosen to replace Judas Overview of this lesson – The submission of the disciples (vv ) – The suicide of a disciple (vv ) – The selection of a disciple (vv )

The Submission of the Disciples (vv ) Jesus commanded the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4) They returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath Day’s walk from the city – Sabbath Day’s walk – 2,000 cubits (about 1,100 meters) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath Day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, (Acts 1:12-15)

The Submission of the Disciples (vv ) They went upstairs to the room where they were staying – Exact location is unknown – Probably where the Last Supper was celebrated and where Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection Apostles had gained a measure of courage – Following the crucifixion, they stayed behind locked doors (John 10:19) – Now, they “were continually in the temple, praising God” (Luke 24:53)

The Submission of the Disciples (vv ) Who was there? – Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James – The women and Mary the mother of Jesus – His brothers (James, Joses, Judas (Jude), and Simon What were they doing? – They all joined together constantly in prayer – Not praying for the baptism with the Holy Spirit – Praying to communicate with the ascended Jesus Peter stood up among the believers and began to speak – About 120 believers present

The Suicide of a Disciple (vv ) Apostles’ joy was tempered by one sad reflection – hypocrisy and suicide of Judas – How did Judas’ actions fit into God’s plan? – How would Jesus words be fulfilled? – apostles would sit upon 12 thrones (Matt. 19:28) – Peter acted to remove those doubts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus – he was one of our numbers and shared in this ministry. (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his place of leadership’ (Acts 1: 15-20).

The Suicide of a Disciple (vv ) Peter explained – “The Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas” Psalms 69:25 – predicted Judas’ removal from office – “May his place be deserted, let there be no one to dwell in it.” Psalms 109:8 – promised his replacement – “May another take his place of leadership” Peter used compelling proof, Scripture, to assure – Judas’ defection was part of God’s plan – Their choice of his replacement was part of God’s plan Peter’s parenthetical description of Judas’ suicide was for the benefit of Theophilus

The Selection of a Disciple (vv ) Peter starts the selection process by listing the requirements for Judas’ replacement – Must have been with the apostles the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven disciples. (Acts 1:21-26)

The Selection of a Disciple (vv ) Peter starts the selection process by listing the requirements for Judas’ replacement – Must have been with the apostles through Jesus’ ministry on earth The whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us – Must have seen the resurrected Christ The resurrection was the central theme of apostolic preaching Must become an witness with the other eleven of his resurrection All apostles were to be personal eyewitnesses of the risen Lord – Must be chosen by the Lord

The Selection of a Disciple (vv ) Two men met these requirements – Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) – Matthias – Nothing is known of either individual; they appear nowhere else in Scripture They prayed to know the Lord’s choice – “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” After praying they cast lots – Casting lots – An accepted Old Testament method of determining God’s will The Lord made His choice – The lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven disciples

Conclusion With Matthias’ selection to replace the traitor Judas, the final preparation for the church was completed; the final resource provided All was now ready for the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost