Listen to the Holy Spirit -Interpreting and Applying the words of God.

July 13, 2013 - Acts 1:12-26

Returning to Jerusalem

    ^12-13 So they left the mountain called Olives and returned to Jerusalem. It was a little over half a mile. They went to the upper room they had been using as a meeting place:

   Peter,

   John,

   James,

   Andrew,

   Philip,

   Thomas,

   Bartholomew,

   Matthew,

   James, son of Alphaeus,

   Simon the Zealot,

   Judas, son of James.

   ¹⁴ They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers.

Replacing Judas

    ^15-17 During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, “Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry.

   ^18-20 “As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. It’s exactly what we find written in the Psalms:

   Let his farm become haunted
So no one can ever live there.

   “And also what was written later:

   Let someone else take over his post.

   ^21-22 “Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection.”

   ^23-26 They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way.” They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.

The disciples obeyed Jesus' command to stay at Jerusalem to pray and wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 120 disciples waited there and committed themselves to pray. As they waited and prayed, Peter, representing the disciples, also understood how the Scriptures meant to them. They interpreted Psalm of David and believed that the Scriptures had also been fulfilled as Judas betrayed Jesus and at the same time they had to choose a replacement for Judas - Matthias was chosen to take the leadership. Disciples especially the apostles began a new ministry life - obeying and following the Scriptures. They understood more about the Scriptures (OT at their time), interpreted the Scriptures, and also applied the Scriptures. 

My Holy Spirit, You are the Counselor to guide me into the truth of God - understanding, interpreting, and applying Scriptures in the right way. Let me be attentive to Your voice as I read and discern the words of God in both my personal and ministry life with my brothers and sisters. Following Your leading is the best way to serve and experience God in my life.