Let’s look at how they replace the leadership void that was vacated by one of the twelve. They do not just replace this disciple with just anybody. Peter gives the qualifications right there in verses 21-22 of Acts 1. He said the qualification for this disciple to become an Apostle, must be one who has been with Jesus and with us all the time during those three years that Jesus was among us. He must be one who was with us from the time Jesus was baptised by John all the way until Jesus ascended back to Heaven.
In other words, we want a guarantor of the faith, someone who has been with us for a long time. We want an eye-witness who has been with us and been with Jesus and has seen Jesus do and teach the things we have all seen Him do and teach. We need another eye-witness who walked the whole walk with Him from the time Jesus was baptised in the Jordan until Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives.
In other words, someone who has our DNA and has walked the journey with us, who knows what we believe and will teach from the same heart and core beliefs.
Now, who do we know that has that kind of resume and fits that job description?
We are too quick sometimes to fill leadership positions with someone who has not walked the walk with us and experienced the things we have, the ups and the downs. Let us take a lesson from Peter and prayerfully and selectively choose the right people for our church leadership!
WHY EVEN GET ANOTHER APOSTLE?
Have you ever wondered why it was so important to replace the leadership of the twelve to full number?
The church was at a point in time when it was necessary, according to the direction of the Holy Spirit, for there to be twelve leaders to continue leading forth with what Jesus had left the followers to do. It was important at that time for credibility to have twelve guarantors who were with Jesus all through His earthly ministry the past three years. It was important, too, as the church was just getting off the ground, to have all twelve apostle seats filled at that time.
However, this would be the last time that we see God leading His followers to fill the leadership void to full capacity with twelve. In the coming days and years as the twelve apostles were martyred, there would not be a replacing of them in the role of this Apostolic leadership position.
One example can be seen from Acts 12 when one of the disciples named James was killed for his faith.
Acts 12:1-2, NKJ
Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
When they replaced Judas’ position in the church leadership, it was right after Jesus had ascended into Heaven. However, when James died in Acts 12, about fifteen years had passed. James and the other twelve disciples had been guarantors and witnesses of the faith as close followers of Jesus for a decade and a half. The church was well underway by this point. It was a different set of circumstances when we get to Acts 12 as opposed to Acts 1. Sometimes the roles and needs of leadership change as the church goes through various seasons of life.
However, in Acts 1 God sees fit to replace the twelve to full working capacity possible due to the infancy stages of the gospel be spread through the church. Moreover, we see how God leads the followers of Jesus to take those next steps in replacing the empty seat of leadership among the twelve. Now, what do we do? Look how God leads them in choosing another person in versus 23-26 of Acts one.
Acts 1:23-26, AMP
And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts (their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen 25 To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go [where he belonged] to his own [proper] place.
26 And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).
Two men were up for the vacant seat of Apostle. Joseph called Barsabbas, aka, Justus was one man and Matthias was the other. Both apparently met the qualifications of an Apostle. Both had been with Jesus from the time of His baptism by John in the Jordan and all the way through His ascension at the Mount of Olives. Both of these men had lived day by day with Jesus. Both apparently were ready to fulfil the function of an Apostle and to be a witness to the Resurrection.
The Scripture tells us that they cast lots to see who would be chosen.
Up to this point in the Bible, the casting of lots was a way that the people of God trusted that God would make His will known to determine an outcome. They would put a mark or name on a stone or a piece of parchment. Then they would swirl the items around the container until one fell out or they would draw out one. The one with the name on it would be deemed to be God’s will for that situation.
Casting lots
It’s interesting to note that this is the last place in the Bible where we see followers of Christ casting lots to understand the will of God. The reason why is because this was before the Holy Spirit had indwelt and empowered the followers of God which happened in Acts two. From the point of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, lots and fleeces were never used again to determine the will of God, because the Holy Spirit become their leader and guide. This is what Jesus told His disciples in the Gospel of John.
John 14:26, AMP
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
Today we can determine the will of God as we pray, search the Scriptures, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. Let me say this; Just because something is in the Bible does not mean we should follow that practice. I have heard people say I am going to cast lots because the Apostles did! Why? Don’t you have the Holy Spirit living in you?
Because Jesus has gone to the Father and filled us with the Holy Spirit of God, we should ask, “What does Jesus have in mind for my life?” Then allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
We need to realise that part of Christian obedience, right from the beginning, was either being faithful to the call to leadership without pride or doing any other apparently small part or position without shame. There are no spectators in the Kingdom of God. Actually, there are no great and small parts either; we are all equal but with differing gifts and talents.
The different tasks and different roles that God assigns to people are God’s business, not our business. Our business is to be obedient and faithful to follow Jesus and be His witnesses wherever God may lead us and to be a witness to the Resurrection and the good new.
Whether your role in the Kingdom of God is recognised like Matthias or is not recognised like Joseph, we all have a role to play in helping to make God’s Kingdom come, and God’s will be done on earth just as it is in heaven. It may be a larger role, or it may be a smaller role. Nonetheless, it is a role. Moreover, although you were not there at the Jordan River to see Jesus be baptised, nor were you there to see Jesus ascend into Heaven at the Mount of Olives, you, too, are called to be a witness to the resurrection and the good news.
