"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
Today's quote relates how eleven of the original twelve Apostles while obeying Jesus' command to stay in Jerusalem, along with about one hundred and ten of those closest to Jesus assembled themselves in Jerusalem and awaited the coming of the Holy Ghost.
Judas, after betraying Jesus to the high priest, had committed suicide and was no longer counted among the Apostles. As the disciples waited, they chose a replacement for Judas.
There was a heavy restriction placed on those who might possibly replace Judas among the twelve. The replacement was required to have been present with Jesus from the time He was baptized by John, until Jesus ascended back to the Father.
Peter, speaking only of those present, said; "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection".
From among those qualified the eleven original Apostles selected two possibilities for Judas' replacement, Matthais and Justus. They "cast lots" to choose between the two with Matthias being finally selected.
(The way they chose Matthias should be noted by those who condemn "gambling" because the Roman soldiers "cast lots" to determine which soldier would get to keep Jesus' coat.
In both instances the casting of lots had nothing to do with gambling as it is practiced today but rather was a fair means of making a choice between more than one possibility.)
Today's lesson disproves the false contention made by Roman Catholicism et al, that the original twelve Apostles were to select a replacement every time one of the twelve was lost. The prime qualification for being an Apostle was that the man MUST have been present at the baptism of Jesus as He fulfilled the Law, and he MUST have been present to watch Jesus ascend to heaven after His resurrection. Common sense tells us that there have been none qualified under those restrictions since the death of Paul who was personally selected by Jesus Himself.
One other common misunderstanding can also be cleared up by today's lesson. There are some who use this quote to assert that the water baptism of a child of God must be traceable to the "baptism of John". Even if that were actually possible, we can easily see that what Peter said had nothing to do with one's water baptism, but rather, what he said applied ONLY to those who might replace Judas as an Apostle. ~
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