Act 1:21-23 | KingComments | STEP | Peter knows that the words “written in the book of Psalms” ( ) apply to Judas, although his name is not mentioned there. This also means that what happened to Judas is not a victory of satan. Judas was only used to fulfill the Word of God. That does not detract from the personal responsibility that Judas had. He opened himself to satan. The quotation from Psalm 69 announces his judgment ( ), while the quotation from Psalm 109 speaks about the succession of the vacant place among the twelve ( ). In their choice of a successor, the apostles are guided by Scripture ( ) and they also want to obey it. They believe in the inspiration of Scripture and in its practical application in their situation. This is also important to us. The power of Scripture to guide us in all kinds of situations in the church today is undiminished. However, the question is whether we still believe this with the same conviction as the disciples did back then. Judging by our knowledge of Scripture and giving our own interpretation of it, it is to be feared that we have deviated far from the faith of the first disciples. Peter not only has insight in Scripture, but he also has insight in the conditions that the successor of Judas has to meet. He knows that there are men, apart from the twelve whom the Lord Jesus has chosen for a special service, who have also joined Him as His disciples. Such disciples have also come to know Him as Someone Who “went in and out” among them, indicating the free way of dealing the Lord had with His disciples. The period of the public service of the Lord Jesus started at the baptism of John and continued until His ascension. To be counted among the apostles someone had to have stayed with Him all that time. If someone fulfilled that condition, he was also a witness of His resurrection and that is what it is mainly about. It is not about being able to bear witness to the Lord’s walk, but to His resurrection. Here the importance of the resurrection is underlined. It must be possible to bear witness to it. The resurrection occupies an important place in Acts. Without the resurrection, preaching and teaching have no power or clarity. There are two men who meet the conditions to take the place of Judas. It is the privileged place from which Judas fell because he loved the money. His choice for the money was a fatal one and made him go to his own horrible place in eternal destruction ( ). The two candidates are presented to the Lord. They may have been belonged of the seventy sent by Him ( ). After consulting the Scriptures and being guided by them and applying the conditions, they now submit the matter to the Lord in prayer. Reading God’s Word and prayer always belong together. Supported by the Scriptures, they ask Him to choose one of the two who meet the conditions. The apostles do not determine themselves who should take the place of Judas. They leave the choice to the Lord. Just as He spent the night in prayer before He chose the twelve ( ), so the disciples here pray for the right choice. They address the Lord as the One “who know the hearts of all men” (cf. ). He alone knows the heart of every human being and knows what is in it for Him. This attitude of dependence and surrender to His will is of decisive importance for learning His will. They also say in their prayers why they come to this prayer. They justify themselves as it were by referring to the events. The Lord knows all that, but He wants us to tell Him why we ask Him to make a decision. It is important for us to put into words our motives to ask for something. After having addressed the Lord in prayer as the One who knows the hearts of all men, they cast lots. At that time, it was still a lawful means to get to know God’s will ( ). It is also the last time we read about the use of castings lots in the Bible. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, there is no more mention of casting lots. When the Holy Spirit has come, He makes God’s will clear ( ). The lot falls to Matthias. He is added to the eleven. As a result later can be spoken of ”the twelve” again ( ). By using the expression ”the twelve”, the Holy Spirit makes it clear that the choice has been acknowledged by God.

‏ Acts 1:21-23

Choosing the Successor of Judas

Peter knows that the words “written in the book of Psalms” (Psa 69:25 ; Psa 109:8) apply to Judas, although his name is not mentioned there. This also means that what happened to Judas is not a victory of satan. Judas was only used to fulfill the Word of God. That does not detract from the personal responsibility that Judas had. He opened himself to satan.

The quotation from Psalm 69 announces his judgment (Psa 69:25), while the quotation from Psalm 109 speaks about the succession of the vacant place among the twelve (Psa 109:8). In their choice of a successor, the apostles are guided by Scripture (Acts 1:16) and they also want to obey it. They believe in the inspiration of Scripture and in its practical application in their situation.

This is also important to us. The power of Scripture to guide us in all kinds of situations in the church today is undiminished. However, the question is whether we still believe this with the same conviction as the disciples did back then. Judging by our knowledge of Scripture and giving our own interpretation of it, it is to be feared that we have deviated far from the faith of the first disciples.

Peter not only has insight in Scripture, but he also has insight in the conditions that the successor of Judas has to meet. He knows that there are men, apart from the twelve whom the Lord Jesus has chosen for a special service, who have also joined Him as His disciples. Such disciples have also come to know Him as Someone Who “went in and out” among them, indicating the free way of dealing the Lord had with His disciples.

The period of the public service of the Lord Jesus started at the baptism of John and continued until His ascension. To be counted among the apostles someone had to have stayed with Him all that time. If someone fulfilled that condition, he was also a witness of His resurrection and that is what it is mainly about.

It is not about being able to bear witness to the Lord’s walk, but to His resurrection. Here the importance of the resurrection is underlined. It must be possible to bear witness to it. The resurrection occupies an important place in Acts. Without the resurrection, preaching and teaching have no power or clarity.

There are two men who meet the conditions to take the place of Judas. It is the privileged place from which Judas fell because he loved the money. His choice for the money was a fatal one and made him go to his own horrible place in eternal destruction (Jn 17:12). The two candidates are presented to the Lord. They may have been belonged of the seventy sent by Him (Lk 10:1).

After consulting the Scriptures and being guided by them and applying the conditions, they now submit the matter to the Lord in prayer. Reading God’s Word and prayer always belong together. Supported by the Scriptures, they ask Him to choose one of the two who meet the conditions. The apostles do not determine themselves who should take the place of Judas. They leave the choice to the Lord. Just as He spent the night in prayer before He chose the twelve (Lk 6:12-13), so the disciples here pray for the right choice.

They address the Lord as the One “who know the hearts of all men” (cf. Acts 15:8). He alone knows the heart of every human being and knows what is in it for Him. This attitude of dependence and surrender to His will is of decisive importance for learning His will. They also say in their prayers why they come to this prayer. They justify themselves as it were by referring to the events. The Lord knows all that, but He wants us to tell Him why we ask Him to make a decision. It is important for us to put into words our motives to ask for something.

After having addressed the Lord in prayer as the One who knows the hearts of all men, they cast lots. At that time, it was still a lawful means to get to know God’s will (Pro 16:33). It is also the last time we read about the use of castings lots in the Bible. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, there is no more mention of casting lots. When the Holy Spirit has come, He makes God’s will clear (Acts 13:2).

The lot falls to Matthias. He is added to the eleven. As a result later can be spoken of ”the twelve” again (Acts 6:2). By using the expression ”the twelve”, the Holy Spirit makes it clear that the choice has been acknowledged by God.