Verse 15: “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples…”
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Peter now assumes the pastoral role, standing in the center of the congregation to lead.
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The number of disciples present was about 120. This number is given for historical context only; after Pentecost, the church is not to be equated with seasons, times, or numbers, as such practices can be deceptive (cf. Rev. 3:3: “…I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come”).
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The church is to live in constant expectation of Christ’s return, without attempting to calculate dates or assign numbers.
Verse 16: “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake concerning Judas…”
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The Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas’ betrayal (cf. Ps. 41:9: “My own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me”).
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At the time, the disciples could not have identified Judas as the betrayer. Some individuals, like Judas, are not to be prayed for but resisted because they are workers of iniquity, children of Satan, not merely sinners.
Verse 17: “For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.”
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Judas was numbered among the 12 apostles, participating fully in their ministry, which made him hard to detect.
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Externally, he appeared religious and faithful, but Christ knew the truth (cf. Matt. 10:4: “Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him”).
Verse 18: “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder…”
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Judas used the 30 pieces of silver to buy a field, often called Akeldama, “the field of blood” (v. 19).
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While other passages describe Judas hanging himself, Peter may be describing the aftermath of his death.
Verse 19: “…And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Akeldama, that is to say, The field of blood.”
Verse 20: “For it is written in the book of Psalms, let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein.”
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The apostles reference Scripture to highlight the judgment upon Judas’ place. However, it is not for Peter to arbitrarily decide church positions or appointments.
Verse 21: “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us…”
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Peter outlines criteria for a replacement apostle, emphasizing companionship with Jesus.
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However, the selection of apostles is ultimately Christ’s prerogative, not human choice (cf. John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you”).
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This warns against “in-house promotions” in the church. While internal promotions may be acceptable in corporations, God raises leaders—men and women—according to His will, not human preference.
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Peter, acting without Christ’s visible presence and before Pentecost, is prone to human error.
Acts 1:22–23 – Peter’s Proposal and Human Appointment
Verse 22: “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Peter sets criteria for replacing Judas: the candidate must have been present from the ministry of John the Baptist through to Christ’s ascension, and must serve as a witness of the resurrection.
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The New King James Version renders it: “One of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
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John 15:27 confirms that true witnesses are those who have been with Christ from the beginning: “And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”
However, Peter is here attempting to fill an apostolic role through human reasoning rather than divine direction.
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He bases the decision on Scripture (Psalms) and observable criteria, but without the Spirit’s guidance.
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This reveals human imperfection—Peter is not acting under the fullness of the Holy Spirit yet (Pentecost has not come).
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This becomes an example of man making spiritual decisions by rational thought instead of waiting on God.
Verse 23: “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.”
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Two candidates are presented: Joseph (Barsabbas, Justus) and Matthias.
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According to Acts 15:22, later God handpicked men such as Barsabbas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas in ministry:
“Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.”
This suggests that God’s choice was not Matthias—a man appointed by lot at Peter’s direction—but rather Barsabbas and others whom the Spirit raised up later for mission work.
Thus, Peter’s action here can be seen as another human blunder—an attempt to settle church leadership through human election rather than divine appointment. Christ himself had said in John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” The choice of apostles belongs to Christ alone, not to men.
Acts 1:24–26 – Prayer, Casting Lots, and the Appointment of Matthias
Verse 24: “And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen.”
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Here we see prayer, but notice the order of events: they had already selected the two candidates before they prayed.
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True prayer should come before action, not after man has already made his decision.
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In 1 Samuel 16:7, God reminded Samuel: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
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God alone chooses; men cannot discern the heart.
Verse 25: “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
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The prayer was for someone to take Judas’ position in the apostleship.
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But again, this was not Peter’s role to fill. Apostles are chosen by Christ Himself.
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Judas’ destiny is described: “his own place” — meaning eternal separation in Hades, the place of the lost.
Verse 26: “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
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The method used was casting lots—a common worldly practice at the time.
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Even the Romans cast lots at the cross of Christ (Matthew 27:35).
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This was not God’s way of appointing leaders in the New Testament church.
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The Spirit had not yet been given (Pentecost was still ahead), and the disciples relied on an old method rather than waiting for divine direction.
Matthias was chosen by lot, but we never hear of him again in Scripture. By contrast, later the Lord Himself raises up Paul and also handpicks men like Barsabbas and Silas (Acts 15:22) to join the apostolic mission. This confirms that Christ, not men, appoints His witnesses.
👉 The lesson: Human methods and religious forms can never replace God’s choosing. In church matters, God calls, God equips, and God raises up servants in His timing.
