The Book of Acts: Discipleship in Action Pt. 3 Faith, Obedience and Discharging Responsibilities.

So far, we have seen the reliability of the gospel record and the accuracy of all details of the life of Jesus Christ. We have been provided from God firsthand eyewitness accounts verifying the accuracy of the written gospel accounts. 

Close scrutiny and a careful examination was done by Doctor Luke and the result is that we received a reliable and accurate record that is worthy of believing.  

We also learned about the glory surrounding the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ when He was taken up in a cloud. 

Returning to Jerusalem to wait for the Spirit. 

Acts 1:12-14  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 13) 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. 14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

What happened after the disciples watched Jesus return to heaven? 

First, two angels reminded them that they had a mission for Christ to be working on. 

Second, their hearts were full of joy and they spent much time in the temple praising God. 

Then, they returned to a large upper room in Jerusalem. Doing what Jesus told them to do: wait for the coming of the Spirit of God. 

They "continued" which means that they ceaselessly met in that place. The words with "one accord" mean their hearts and minds were dedicated to and focused upon the task at hand. 

What did they do while in the upper room? They prayed and made supplication with one accord. 

We know what prayer is and the word "supplication" means expressing our spiritual or physical needs, wants and desires to our Father.

The disciples prayed to God for direction and guidance. They prayed for Him to send His Spirit as was promised and they prayed for Divine strength to undertake the immense task and responsibility that Christ gave to them. 

Finally, Luke noted that devout women and Mary, the mother of Jesus continued with them. They all would have heard Christ speak and saw Him ascend to heaven in a cloud. This surely brought comfort to the heart of Mary.

Peter assumes leadership in the early church. 

Acts 1:15  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,) 

During this period of waiting for the Holy Spirit, and spending time in prayer and supplication, Peter stood up. I think this is noteworthy. The same disciple who denied Christ three times was restored by the Lord so that He could use Peter to lead the early church. 

Luke tells us that there were about 120 disciples. No one would consider this to be a large number of people to work with when you are charged with spreading the gospel throughout the world. Yet, little is always much in our Master's hands. 

Jesus prophesied that Peter would lead.

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus said Peter would play a very important role in His church.

John 21:15-17  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

Three times our resurrected Lord asked Peter if he loved Him as a counterpoint to Peter's three denials. Three times Jesus also told Peter to "Feed my sheep." This also implies future leadership from Peter as an apostle. 

The events recorded in the Book of Acts make it clear that Jesus used Peter in a mighty manner. Acts 1-10 shows Peter in a position of leadership, while Acts 11 through 28 is where we find Paul in a position of prominence. 

Peter brings up the Lord's business. 

Acts 1:16-19  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. 17) For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18) 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. 19)  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.

Peter stood up. The words "stood up" is from the same word often used for the resurrection of Christ. It was used for someone about to enter into conversation or preparing to undertake some important business. 

Peter "stood up" because He had some business of the Lord Jesus Christ that, while seemingly mundane, needed to be dealt with. 

Peter proved that Jesus is the Messiah and found scripture foretelling of the treachery of Judas. He applied it to Judas and quotes the two passages Psalm 69:25 & Psalm 109:8. 

The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon them, but Peter knew they needed to appoint a disciple to take the place of Judas the betrayer.

The sin of Judas led to his shame and ruin, and it left a vacancy among the apostles. Jesus ordained the twelve, with an eye toward kingdom ministry to the twelve tribes of Israel. 

A full complement of twelve apostles was needed for faithfully discharging their duties to advancing the kingdom of God.

Luke wrote as a physician, understanding all the entrails of the middle and lower ventricle. Judas's bowels gushing out is part of the punishment of traitors. It was a just judgment from God that Judas' bowels gush out that were shut up against the Lord Jesus. 

Public notice that was taken of his death. It was known to all the dwellers in Jerusalem. It was viewed as a remarkable judgment of God upon him who betrayed his Master. 

Peter cites scripture as basis to choose another apostle. 

Acts 1:20-22  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. 21) Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22) 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.

After citing the scripture as their authority, Peter laid out the qualifications for an apostle. The candidate needed to have been a follower of Christ from the time that John preached the baptism of repentance until the day that Jesus ascended to heaven. 

Unfinished business was wrapped up.

Acts 1:23-26  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24) And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25) That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26) And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

Peter stood up and pointed out the need to fill the vacant seat of Judas. He connected the betrayal and death of Judas to the Old Testament scriptures, as well as a need to fill the vacancy. 

The 120 gathered must have agreed with Peter and after some discussion and prayer, they put forth two men who met the qualifications to be an apostle. 

Casting lots was frequently used in the Old Testament to discern the will of God. It was no different in this case.

The disciples of Christ all prayed and committed to God the selection of one man to fill Judas' seat. The lot fell upon Matthias and he assumed a spot as one of the twelve.

Thoughts to Ponder...

First, we see in the disciples a simple faith and ready obedience to the commands of Christ. Jesus told them to return to Jerusalem and wait for the appearance of the Holy Spirit. This is what they did. They believed Christ and obeyed.

Second, we see that constant communing as a body of believers was important to them. They knew Christ's command was to love one another because that would be a vivid testimony to the world. Thus, they regularly and persistently met together as a group, loving the Lord and loving each other.

Third, we see that they placed great importance upon praying and presenting their supplications to God. 

They remembered that Jesus said what ever they asked the Father in His name, according to His will, they would receive. The early church had fresh memories of Christ's rejection and crucifixion and knew they needed a lot of prayer to God for help. 

Last, we saw that Peter brought up the unfinished business of appointing a twelfth apostle. Peter relied upon the authority of scripture and the sovereign will of God to choose the right man. 

This may not seem like much, but churches do have business to conduct and it should always be done in ways that comply with God's Word and that honor Him.

Bob