WHY it matters//

God is a God of power and a God of order. Before the early believers can receive the Holy Spirit and begin to build the church they must have the proper people in position to carry out the gospel message. It’s important to recognize that God is not anti-structure or organization. Sometimes we can think that in order to have power we cannot have order. God loves both.

WHAT it's talking about//

Acts is considered “part 2” to the book of Luke in the opinion of most scholars. Written by Luke around 64 AD, this book begins with the ascension of Jesus into heaven and then chronicles the life of the early church as the gospel begins to spread throughout the Earth. After Jesus ascended into heaven the believers were told to wait for the Holy Spirit’s power. As they are joined together in prayer it’s necessary for them to appoint a 12th apostle to take the place of Judas. This is in order to fulfill prophecy and to prepare to take the gospel out from the Jerusalem once the Holy Spirit comes.

Acts 1:12-26 NIV

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 

13 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. 

14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 

16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 

17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 

19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “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.’

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 

22 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.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 

24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 

25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 

26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.