The Chosen One

Acts 1:21-26 21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 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." 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. NKJV 21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, In continuation from our last study we are now at the point of the selection of Judas’ replacement. Peter assuming leadership uses his spiritual wisdom to direct the disciples to select a replacement from among those who have followed Christ from the starting point of John the Baptist’s ministry to the time of Jesus’ ascension(v.22). The terms of the Lord Jesus "went in and out", probably refer to the times in His traveling when He "went in and out" of particular towns and houses. He traveled throughout all of Israel and back to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover for three consecutive years. 22 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." Again, the importance of this selection is to become an “official” witness of His resurrection. This selection was for the “office” of Apostleship in Israel. This would have been the highest call delegated equally between a group of twelve men with “equal” authority just removed from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It is also important to note that the man selected had to be with them since the beginning of the baptism of John. John’s baptism was a mark of transition between the two covenants for Israel. It is not to be assumed that the Old Covenant was for Israel and the New Covenant for the Gentiles. No. Both covenants pertain to the nation of Israel and John’s baptism is the beginning of a transition into the New Covenant.

Later in our study when the Holy Spirit is given to the, ἐκκλησία or called out ones, Peter describes the beginnings of the fulfillment of this New Covenant(Acts 2:17), however, He (the Holy Spirit) has not reached His consummation. This number would be increased to thirteen when the church’s greatest persecutor, Saul, would be converted through an appearing of the Lord Himself on the road to Damascus(Acts 9). The addition of a thirteenth Apostle should not conflict with these, soon to be, twelve men who will judge the twelve tribes of Israel; because Saul who will be given a new name, Paul, will be the Apostle and judge to the Gentiles(Rom.11:13;1Cor.15:9). It is also important to note that all thirteen Apostles were “eyewitnesses” of the risen Lord and Christ, because their doctrine will be centered around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. The only two proposed were Justus and Matthias. Scripture does not give any details about these men, other than, that they were qualified enough to be selected among the twelve Apostles. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen When we seek guidance from God it never fails to pray and allow God to make our decisions. When we pray we are submitting to His will and sovereign control over all things. We may not always understand His will, and therefore we pray for Him to correct any of our misunderstandings and choices that do not line up with His revealed will, and at other times we pray that He will reveal things that we do not know. But God never answers prayer apart from His Holy Spirit and from the written Word. When asking for wisdom to make a choice that is not clearly defined by God’s law, we can only make every effort not to violate God’s law to make a choice, but choose that which most trusts God for the outcome.

James 1:5-8 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. NKJV

The disciples prayed with the agreement that God knows the hearts of all and that He will show, between the two, whom He has chosen. 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." This is a bold and somewhat harsh reminder of the transgression of Judas. It was to remind the two nominees that; if selected, it will be a serious office to fulfill. One must be ready to take up the cross, as Christ did; and fulfill their ministry. The thought of Judas going to his own place should ignite fear into the nominees not to fall under the same judgment of Judas. John MacArthur makes this frightening statement in his commentary:

"The last phrase is a shocking and sobering statement. Judas, and all others who go to hell, belong there; it is the place of their own choosing. It belongs to them, and they to it"! MacArthur, John: Acts. Chicago : Moody Press, 1994, c1996, S. 33

26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. “And they cast their lots”. This is not a sinful method of determining God’s will as seen in:

Prov 18:18 8 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart. NKJV

However, a sinful act of casting lots for the entertainment of competition and pride; and the vain use of money; which is considered a waist, and poor stewardship of The Lord’s recourses will bring us into judgment. In other words putting the Lord to the test(Mal.3:15; Dt.6:16), and gambling with the life He richly provides(1Tim.6:17), is failure to walk on holy ground. Christians have the liberty to play sports, and even card games; but in moderation. When one makes these things their life to “profit” off of recreation; it borders on tempting God, because you are playing with what He provides to give life and rest; not destruction and damnation(Matt.6:32; Matt.23:25).

Luke 23:34 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." NKJV

Rather than arguing over who was going to fulfill the position and be the "greatest" they decided that the lot would be the Lord’s decision based on their understanding of Prov 16:33.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. NKJV

“And the lot fell on Matthias”. This was the Lord’s final choice to make ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church. The Lord might have been saying something when He chose Matthias, whose name means gift of God; that Matthias is the final foundation of the tribes of Israel. Now that Matthias was numbered among the Apostles, “the gift” of the Holy Spirit was made ready to rest upon the whole church, thus Matthias being a gift of God has now made the final pillar and foundation for the church a gift to us all, even unto this day as we reap the grace that these men have sown. What an honor to have been present that day in the beginnings of the early church to witness the Acts of the Apostles.

1 Cor 12:28-31 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. NKJV Eph 2:19-22 Christ Our Cornerstone 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. NKJV Eph 4:11-16 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. NKJV Jude 17-19 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. NKJV