Chosen By The Spirit - Acts 1:12-26

The Selection of Matthias as an Apostle (Acts 1:12-26)

ILLUSTRATION: 3 plastic eggs.

If I offered you the choice between one of these three eggs, three people may make three different choices, or they may make the same choice.

If I were then to ask each of you why you made the choice you did, your reasons would likely be very different.

All of us make decisions based off of a set of criteria that we have formed.

Here in Acts chapter 1, as we come to the last half of the chapter, we find a choice being made with specific criteria.

Jesus has ascended into heaven and the disciples have returned to Jerusalem.

They are waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus in verses 5 and 8.

While they wait, they are spending time in prayer.

Look at verse 14.

Acts 1:14 ESV

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

This word translated “devoting” carries the idea of continual action.

They were continually praying.

This is a very important lesson for all of us as believers.

Prayer should be the foundation of everything we do.

As the disciples are waiting and praying, Peter gets up and reminds everyone that the betrayal and subsequent death of Judas Iscariot fulfilled Scripture.

Luke, the author of Acts, makes a rather gruesome note about the fate of Judas in verses 18-19.

Peter is then recorded saying that someone among those gathered needed to take Judas’ place as an apostle.

Peter gives some clear guidelines for what makes someone eligible to be an apostle.

It has to be a man - v. 21

It has to be a man who was with them during Jesus ministry - v. 21

It has to be a man who was there from when Jesus was baptized to when he ascended - v. 22

It has to be a man who will witness of Jesus’ resurrection v. 22

These are the guidelines for who will replace Judas.

These guidelines didn’t come out of nowhere, they have been in constant prayer, and this is the result.

In verse 23 they put forward two men, Joseph and Matthias.

Then, they spend more time in prayer seeking the Lord’s will and direction.

According to the last verse in the chapter, the decision is made by lot and Matthias is added as the twelfth apostle.

As we wrap up chapter 1 let me make a few important points.

All of this was done to fulfil Scripture.

God speaks in His Word and He does what He has said. We can trust Him to keep His promises.

Everything in this chapter is covered with prayer. Our lives need to be covered in prayer. Our decisions, especially the big ones, must be covered in prayer!

In verse 24, when they are praying over which of the two men would take Judas’ place it is mentioned that God knows the hearts of all.

God knows your heart. When you are misunderstood, mischaracterized, or misquoted; God knows your heart.

God chose Matthias.

According to Ephesians 1 and other passages, God chose you as well.

You have been chosen by the God of all eternity! Not because you met some list of requirements, but because of His mercy and grace.

God does not make mistakes.

He has chosen and called you to be a witness of Him.

Just like He did Matthias.

God never calls us to do what He will not also equip us to do.

The very fact that He has called you and me to be witnesses means that He has and will equip us to witness.

Here is the challenge for today.

Believe that God has chosen you on purpose for His purpose.

Because you have been chosen by God, tell others about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

You have been equipped!

That name that popped into your head just now? Tell that person what Jesus has done for you and what He will do for them.