Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, June 12, 2024. It is Day 46 and Day 4 of Week 7 in our Count to Pentecost.

A few days before God poured out His Holy Spirit and began the Church of God, the disciples had gone to Jerusalem as they had been commanded. The Bible names some of the people who were assembled together in an upper room.

They all knew that spectacular events had just transpired by the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. And, they waited in anticipation for the next strategic step in God‛s magnificent plan of salvation. The Bible says they were in “one accord,” and “in prayer and supplication.”

Acts 1:12-14 (12) 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.

As they met and prayed, it became evident because of prophecy in the Psalms that another Apostle had to be chosen to take the place of Judas. And, they were aware that the Apostle had to be someone who had been an eye witness of the crucial events.

Acts 1:15-17, 20-22 (15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about a hundred and twenty,). (16) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit 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; (20) 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.

So, those assembled appointed two men who fit the criteria, and they all prayed for God to show which one God Himself would choose by lot.

Acts 1:23-26 (23) 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.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God