Journey Through Acts Lesson 3

The Book of Acts Chapter 1:12-16

Lesson 3

God Called Leaders

Judas’ Fate and Replacement

a. Choosing Church Leaders 1:12-26

i. This passage will give us instructions on how and why we need church leaders.

ii. There are 6 essentials to choosing church leaders.

Essential 1: To obey Jesus.

i. Acts 1:12 (NLT) — 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.

ii. The disciples had just witnessed the ascension on the mount of Olives.

iii. The Mount of Olives.

1. Luke 21:37 (NLT) — 37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.

2. The mountain range was a little more than one-half mile from the city limits of Jerusalem.

3. The mountain range was loved by Jesus.

iv. Acts 1:4 (NLT) — 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.

v. This obedience took tremendous courage, for Jerusalem was the very center of opposition against Christ.

vi. To lead you must be in the will of God.

Essential 2: To center around the appointed (called) leaders.

i. Acts 1:13 (NLT) — 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James).

ii. All eleven apostles were present.

iii. Leaders appointed by Christ are to be the leaders of the church, and believers must be centered around them if they wish God’s presence and blessings.

iv. Too often however, too many turn to other leaders, leaders less godly, less spiritual and less mission-, evangelistic-, and ministry-minded.

v. The result is a dead, formal, self-centered, or worldly and socially minded church.

vi. We must be ministry minded. Always pointing people to the gospel.

vii. The church must have and follow spiritual leaders, leaders chosen and appointed by God, if the church is to be a true church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Essential 3: To continue in one accord.

i. Acts 1:14 (NLT) — 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

ii. The disciples were in the upper room for one reason: to seek and wait upon the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

iii. Believers must be of one spirit and mind, focusing their thoughts and concentrating as strongly as they can upon the same purpose.

iv. They have one purpose in mind, to seek God for the promise of His Spirit and His presence.

Essential 4: To pray steadfastly.

i. Acts 1:14 (NLT) — 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

ii. They continued, persevered, endured, persisted, stuck to praying.

iii. Praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

iv. They would not cease or stop praying.

1. Praying for God’s very special presence and power.

2. Praying for His very own Spirit and power.

3. This had been promised to them; and they were not going to stop praying until God baptized them in His Spirit and presence.

4. What a lesson for us.

Essential 5: To have a leader who willingly leads.

i. Acts 1:15 (NLT) — 15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

ii. Understand the courage it took for Peter to do this.

1. Peter had failed his Lord.

2. Failed Him in a terrible way.

3. Matthew 26:69-75

4. The Lord in His unbelievable mercy and grace had forgiven him and lifted him up, and now the Lord was ready to use Peter as originally planned.

5. Peter failure had taught him an important lesson.

6. 1 Peter 5:1–4 (NLT) — 1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Peter and Judas committed the same sin. (Betrayal)

Only our friends betray us.

There is no sin God cannot forgive when we ask.

Don’t let the devil ruin your blessing.

Essential 6: To heed what the leader says.

i. All 120 believers listened and gave heed to Peter’s leadership.

ii. Acts 1:15 (NLT) — 15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

iii. No leader could lead unless the people were willing to follow.

iv. God’s presence and blessings depended upon the believers following the leader God had given them.

Extra Credit

The Family of Jesus Christ

a. Notice who was present in the upper room. V:14

i. The eleven apostles.

ii. The women, probably including the wives of the apostles and the other women who followed Jesus Christ (Lk. 8:2–3; Mt. 27:55; 27:61; 28:9f; Mk. 15:40, 47; 16:1; Lk. 23:49, 55; 24:1).

iii. Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The brothers of Jesus: James, Joseph (Joses), Simon, and Judas (Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3). Before the resurrection they rejected Jesus’ claims, but after His resurrection they became believers. James was given a personal appearance and revelation by the risen Lord (1 Cor. 15:7). He became the pastor of the great church in Jerusalem.