From the time that Jesus ascended into heaven until the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost 10 days later, the thing that church had to do was pray.  However, they had one other important thing to do.  They needed to decide on an apostle to replace Judah

In Luke 6:12 Jesus chose 12 disciples to be apostles. In Greek “apostle” means someone who is sent out.

Ephesians 2:20

These 12 apostles were chosen to build the new Israel, the body of Christ, the church up.  Therefore, the twelve were chosen because they were needed for this work. It was so important that Jesus prayed all night before choosing the 12. Among the 12 who were chosen was Judas who betrayed Jesus.  He was probably chosen to be used in God’s plan of Jesus dieing on the cross for our sins.  However, since Judas was no longer there, they needed to choose a new apostle. Today let’s look at how the new apostle was chosen.   

I.                The reason for the replacement of the apostle (15-20)

Verse 15 starts with “In those days”.  These same words can be seen in Acts 6:1 and 11:27.  They mark the divisions of the book.  In this case, “In those days” refers to the 10 days between Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Passover.   During this time, the church had something very important to do, making a replacement of the apostle. The reason for doing so is found in verse 16.

Here Peter is saying that Judah didn’t just betray Jesus by chance.  David had prophesized that he would.  Judah’s betrayal fulfilled the prophecy.  Verse 20 is a prophecy from Psalms that was fulfilled.  Others that were fulfilled were Psalms 69:25, Psalms 109:8.

Luke 24:44

Psalms 109:8

Therefore the main reason that the disciples decided to replace the apostle was because the Bible said they would.  They read the Bible and from the Bible learned what they must do.

This is an important thing for us too.  We need to decide what we are going to do by not our own thoughts, but what the Bible is saying. 

II.              The Qualifications for being an apostle (vs. 21, 22)

1,           Someone who lived with Jesus while he was on this earth.

2,           Someone who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. This is because they were to witness to Jesus’ resurrection.

If we look at the apostles that Jesus chose we can see that they weren’t special people, but normal everyday people. However they all held one thing in common. According to 4:13 they had all been with Jesus… 

By a wide meaning we are all apostles.  We are all sent out.  The important that we are with Christ  If we are walking with Christ, then we have nothing to fear.

III.            How the apostle was replaced  (vs. 24)

1.               by Prayer  They always prayed not only everyday, but whenever they had to make decisions.  They prayed because they knew that God knows everything and always leads them in the perfect way.  Therefore, they were really a prayerful church.  Psalm 46:10  We need to be quiet before God and seek his will.

2.               by lot Matthias was chosen. According to verse 23 it looks like Joseph was more popular because he had many names attacked to him.  For example, Barsabbas which means “child of the Sabbath”,  Also he was called Justus which means a person that has a strong sense of  righteousness.  However, he was not chosen, but Matthias was. He was chosen only because of the Lord’s will.  Therefore, the most important thing is how our heart is before God.  As a church we need to pray and make decisions according to what God’s will is.