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Lesson 3

When Decisions Really Count

Acts 1:15-26

Me: Example.

The times when I have made the worse decisions have revolved around job selections. The one that stands out above all others is the time I went to work for an insurance company. I started right before my wife and I got married, so I was very, very young. Soon I discovered that it was the wrong choice of careers for me. It is a fine business for those for whom it is a good fit. The problem was that I am an introvert. Being an introvert and being in sales is not a good match. What was the real problem? I did not seek God’s direction when taking such a position. If I had listened to Him I would waited for the jobs that were best suited to who I am.

(Teacher) This is the place for you to use your own example.

We:

Ask for examples of those times that the class truly sought God’s direction and others when they tried to go out on their own. Then ask, what were the results of the two different choices?

God:

This passage involving the selection of Mathias almost seems out of place in the sequence of events in the last seven days before the coming of the Holy Spirit. Luke, however inserts it here as a good reporter or historian would do because it was relevant to the apostles. This event like all of the ones found in the book of Luke and the early part of Acts would have been related to him by those who had been eye witness participants. In order for there the accurate account that he had promised in his first book, he included even events like this one that occurred during the seven days the disciples were together without commentary.

In verse 15 we read, “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren.” It should not surprise us that Peter was the one to take the lead in selecting the man to replace Judas as one of the twelve. Over and over again he had been the one to be the spokesman not for himself only but the other disciples as well. To see this pattern let us look at some examples.

1. His confession in Matthew 16:16.
2. Speaking out at the transfiguration Matthew 17:4
3. During the last supper John 13:6-8, 36-37
4. Overconfidence that he would not deny the Lord Matthew 26:33-35

Beginning in verse 20 Peter moves from describing what took place in regard to the actions to the actions that needed to be taken because of the void left by Judas. At this point we might ask, what was the basis of what Peter was proposing as a solution to the situation which was before them? The approach he used was to refer to Scripture for answers. We find He used three different passages. Each one dealt with different aspects of Judas’ betrayal and demise. In each of them he saw a prophetic message that he interpreted to be written for this occasion.

1. His betrayal and death found in all four of the gospels. The most detailed one concerning the consequences of his betrayal is found in Matthew 27: 3-10. Peter includes the references to the 30 pieces of silver, his death by impalement and the purchase of Potter’s field found in Zechariah 11
2. The future state of the family of the betrayer. Psalm 69:25
3. The actual replacement of Judas as another was to “take his office.” Psalm 109:8-9

One additional Scripture that may have come into play as the discussion took place is found in Matthew 19: 28. Jesus promised, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” If would seem logical if there were to be twelve thrones there had to be twelve apostles.

There some questions that arise as we look at these verses:

1. Were these Scriptures truly justification for the decision by the disciples to replace Judas? Why or why not.
2. Were they looking for Scripture to confirm what they had already decided that may or may not apply to the situation at hand? What are we able to learn from the answers to the first two questions?
3. What do you think about the timing of the decision?
4. Was that decision made under the direction of the Holy Spirit or man taking matters into their own hands?
5. In what way did the personality of Peter influence the decision? Remember the Scriptures discussing his impulsive nature.

Believing that he had presented a valid argument for the need for another disciple Peter, in verses 21-22, moves very quickly into what he believes are the qualifications that the new apostle should possess. They were very simple and straightforward.

1. It should be one who had been a follower from the time period of Jesus’ ministry beginning with His baptism by John.
2. He had to one who had seen the risen Lord.

Generally speaking unless these cover a greater depth than is revealed here there are some things to be considered.

1. There is no mention of others being a part of the private teachings to which the original disciples were exposed.
2. There were times when Jesus travelled alone with the twelve. A couple of examples are the trips across the Sea of Galilee and when He specifically pulled them aside away from the others for instruction. Even the Sermon on the Mount was primarily meant for the close circle of disciples.

Since there is no objection by any of the disciples present as Peter speaks, they then select two men who they believe have the characteristics needed for the task ahead. Having chosen the two (see vs. 23) Mathias and Barsabas, they then go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to show which of the two men they have already selected should be the new apostle. It is interesting that up until now it appears that God had been completely left out of the whole process, but now they want His approval. (vs. 24) Going even further they believe they have to explain to God why they decided on these two men. The text gives the appearance that God needed this information before voting on one or the other.

They then used a method we might view as chance to determine that God had indeed selected Mathias to join the twelve. They cast lots. Before proceeding let’s take a look at this practice of casting logs. There was a long standing tradition among the Jews of casting lots when important decisions were to be made. Several references can be found dating all the way back to Moses. Here are a few:

1. Leviticus 16:8 speaks of choosing between sacrifices.
2. Moses instructs the people to divide the land by lots. (Numbers 33:54; 34:13; 36:2)
3. Joshua follows the instructions of Moses in determining the inheritance of the tribes of Israel. (Joshua 18:6)
4. We see Saul using this method to determine the guilt of either him or Jonathan. (1 Samuel 14:41-42)

If this method was used over and over what was it? The Jews would take small rocks and write on them whatever was to be decided, such as a name in the case of the division of the land, and put them in some kind of container and dump them out one by one. It is important to note that following the above use of lots there is no further mention of the practice in the Bible. After the coming of the Holy Spirit the church depended on prayer and the guidance received from Him in making decisions.

In light of all we have discussed concerning the events in this passage there are a few final thoughts that come to mind.

5. What does it say about the patience of those who were waiting for the Promised Holy Spirit?
6. How did the casting of lots affirm the decision?
7. What are some of the facts that tell us that this was a decision that did not necessarily have to be made at this time?
8. What do we know of Mathias from this point on in History?

Some have suggested that the disciples jumped ahead of God and that Paul was really the apostle that God chose to continue the proclaiming of the Gospel. Of Mathias very little is known about his life from this point on. He is never mentioned in the Bible beyond Acts 1:26. It is believed that he went to Ethiopia to preach and was martyred in about 80 A.D.

 

You.

One of the lessons that is revealed is how easy it is to focus on priorities that are not in the best interest of the church. Have there been times in your life when you have possibly not made the right choices or got ahead of God while trying to make a decision? Possibly, like just most of us, you wanted to have things happen according to your own timetable. Some of were turning points in your life and might include choosing

1. The right school
2. Type of studies
3. The right mate
4. The right job
5. Where to live
6. To have or not have children
7. The church to which I can become committed

The question that comes to mind as you think about each of these is how much of a role did God play in the decision process? Were you like the disciples and took a path they thought was right?

Further as you have become involved in the life of the church, what about those things that you have supported? For an example on what basis have you selected those who were to be in leadership roles? Have you truly spent time in learning about their:

1. Giftedness
2. Length of time they have been a follower of Christ
3. Personality
4. Integrity
5. Passion to serve

These are just a few of the areas that are important in considering a person for service. The one thing that should never be done is to feel there is a need to just fill a position.

We

How can we move beyond the sometimes superficial and speedy decisions we make?

1. Spend as much time as needed in truly praying specifically about the matter before us. We are to stay focused and wait on God for the answer.
2. Search God’s word for clear guidance. This means that we do not try to make it fit what we want to do but the direction He wants us to take. This approach will eliminate “proof texting.”
3. As we pray and study and then come together as a church we must be willing to make our desires secondary to the greater advancement and growth of God’s church.
4. We are to encourage those around us to discover their giftedness
5. We need to keep our eyes open for those who have already displayed wisdom, integrity godliness and proven dedication to place them in leadership roles for the furthering of God’s kingdom.

If we do these things we will not become sidetracked, but will remained focused on the task that God has placed before us.