Acts 1:12-26 Preparing in Prayer
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a
Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room,
where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas,
Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the
son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with
the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about
120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke
beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who
arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he
burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is,
Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in
and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up
from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put
forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they
prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have
chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go
to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.
1. Who were the remaining eleven apostles? (O)
2. What happened to Judas? (O)
3. What kind of person were the eleven apostles looking for to take up the empty position
left by Judas? (O)
4. How did they pray to God concerning this empty office? (O) Why did they first
acknowledge God knowing everyone’s hearts at the beginning of their prayer? (I)
a. They asked God to choose the person.
b. They knew God would choose someone ready to witness of Jesus’ resurrection.
In taking this empty office, this person would carry a greater responsibility of
representing and witnessing Jesus to other people and possibly face greater
danger to his life. This person needed to count the cost and be ready to carry his
cross daily.
5. How were the original twelve apostles chosen?
a. Jesus pulled an all-nighter praying to the Father.
6. What does praying in one accord look like? (I)
7. It seemed that while praying in one accord, Peter was informed and wanted their group
to be obedient to God’s word. How well do I know God’s word and am I obedient to it?
(A)
8. How does prayer factor into decisions I make? (A)
