ACTS 1: 12-26...
12+++Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13+++When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14+++These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15+++At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,
16+++“Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17+++“For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”
18+++(Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.
19+++And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20+++“For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE,
AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’; and,‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’
21+++“Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—
22+++beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23+++So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.
24+++And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen
25+++to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
26+++And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
They had now a great work to do, and before they entered upon it, they were earnest in prayer to God for his presence. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit, and abounded in prayer. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings, who are in a praying frame.
Christ had promised shortly to send the Holy Ghost; that promise was not to do away prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. A little company united in love, exemplary in their conduct, fervent in prayer, and wisely zealous to promote the cause of Christ, are likely to increase rapidly.
The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world, was, Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. The apostles were ordained, not to worldly dignity and dominion, but to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection.
An appeal was made to God; Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, which we do not; and better than they know their own. It is fit that God should choose his own servants; and so far as he, by the disposals of his providence, or the gifts of his Spirit, shows whom he was chosen, or what he has chosen for us, we ought to fall in with his will. Let us own his hand in the determining everything which befalls us, especially in those by which any trust may be committed to us.
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