Thursday 14 May 2009

Background

At the time this incident is recorded, the number of believers(including the 11 disciples [Judas is no longer with them], thewomen and Jesus' brothers) was little more than 100 persons. Thebelievers were devoting their time to pray whilst awaiting thecoming of the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Judas was dead. Matthew27:5 records that Judas hanged (or possibly impaled)himself. Perhaps it is the corpse that bursts open as describedhere. This means that the 12 (close disciples of Jesus) now onlynumber 11.

Peter is impatient. Peter is a man of action and, judging from theGospel records, was always the one who was ready to question Jesusor to act precipitately. Waiting is never easy so Peter decides todo something - have an election! Basing on selected proof textsfrom the Old Testament Peter decides that Judas needs to bereplaced.

The stated criterion for apostleship is that the person must havebeen a disciple from the beginning of Jesus' ministry until hisascension to heaven (see Acts 1:1-11). Hemust become a witness to Christ's resurrection. There areapparently several candidates but eventually the group settles ontwo possibilities and surrenders the final choice to God by meansof casting lots. Matthias is chosen.

Is it perhaps possible that Peter acted too hurriedly? This is thefirst and only mention of Matthias. This is also the only time thatcasting lots is used for decision-making in the New Testament.Subsequently, it is the awaited Holy Spirit that guides and leadsthem in to all truth. Some have suggested that perhaps Paul wasdestined to be God's 12th Apostle. Maybe this passage is a warningto avoid acting precipitately rather than a model for choosingleaders?

To Ponder

What does Peter's criterion for apostleship tellus about the role of the Apostle?

What are the pressures that make us want to hurrydecisions instead of waiting?

The pattern of decision-making seen in theseverses attempts to combine human responsibility and God'sover-ruling. Are there more effective ways of achieving this?