Today’s devotion is a group inductive study, one of 11 weekly ones included in the Acts Study Guide. An inductive study encourages digging deep into Scripture by employing an in-depth reading technique set in a discussion-based setting. Each inductive study includes four sections: (1) Introduction (“What’s the context for this passage?”), (2) Observation (“What does the Bible say in this text?”), (3) Interpretation (“How should we interpret this passage in light of what we know about the whole Bible?”), and (4) Application (“How might we live our lives in light of this passage?”).
Introduction
Love and loyalty. Faithfulness and devotion. Treachery and betrayal. Murder and suicide. Hope, expectation, and restoration. Such are the elements permeating Luke’s account of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the beginning of the early church. The tension-filled drama draws us in, then reveals a new beginning. Luke’s Gospel tells a real story, and it continues in Acts 1:12–26.
The early church was in its infancy, and Luke faithfully recorded the events following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Peter, the disciple who had once denied Jesus, whom Jesus exhorted to feed his sheep, now took leadership. The young church was facing a vacancy in leadership and was still reeling from the grievous recognition that one of their closest companions had betrayed Jesus. Peter pastorally guided them in understanding the circumstances and what had to take place in response.
It’s no accident that some of the first challenges facing the church were leadership decisions and dealing with the results of sin. God, who loves the church that Jesus died for, was preparing believers for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the future of his mission on earth.
Observation
- Where had the disciples been in verse 12? What had they witnessed while there?
- Name the men who were in the upper room in Jerusalem. What names are familiar to you? What ones aren’t?
- What were the people doing in the upper room?
- How many were in the “company of persons” that Peter addressed?
- What two observations does Peter make to introduce his comments about Judas?
- How does Peter describe the story of Judas’s betrayal in verses 16 and 17?
- What criteria were applied to determine who would qualify as the 12th apostle? Who was considered?
- What two methods were employed to determine the chosen apostle? Who was chosen? Why?
Interpretation
The Holy Spirit inspires Scripture, and as we study it, he reveals details that enhance and enrich our understanding of his intent. A close look at these questions helps us uncover some of the finer points of this passage that we might otherwise overlook.
- The short Sabbath-day walk that Luke recorded suggests the disciples might have stayed in an upper room not far from the temple. Review Luke 24:50–53. What were the disciples doing in verse 53? How does this complement Acts 1:14? In what two activities were the people engaged? What does this tell us about the community of believers? What were they praying for? (See Acts 1:4, 5, 8.) What can we learn from their example?
- Read Acts 1:14, 4:24, and 5:25. The early church functioned as a community, not only sharing food and possessions but also oneness of agreement and purpose. The Greek word homothymadon is translated “with one accord.” Luke uses this word ten other times, and it occurs only once elsewhere in the New Testament. What do these verses signify about the Christian community in Acts?
- Read Luke 24:25–27, 32, and 45–49. What do these verses tell us? To whom do the Scriptures point? Now read Acts 1:15–17. Peter laid the foundation for replacing Judas by pointing to the authority of Scripture. What truths do these three verses affirm about Scripture? What does this tell us about the character of God?
- Jesus taught the disciples that Old Testament Scripture confirms God’s plan. Compare Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 with Acts 1:20. What Old Testament prophecies were being fulfilled in this situation? What does this tell us about God’s intentions for the church?
- Review Acts 1:21–26. Following Judas’ treachery, the Twelve needed to be restored. Why? Why was it important that the specifications for an apostle were fulfilled? This is the last instance in Scripture of casting lots. Why did they cast lots? Why was the casting of lots no longer needed after this?
Application
- The early church has much to teach us about perseverance in prayer. What are you bringing before God in persevering prayer? What gives you the confidence to continue?
- How do you discover God’s will? It’s not likely that you cast lots! This passage shows us that the guidance of Scripture, prayer, and common sense are three reliable ways through which we can discern God’s direction in our lives. Have you ever heard someone justify sinful actions by saying, “God told me . . .”? How does Scripture reveal right action to us? (See 2 Timothy 3:16.) Do you consult the wisdom of godly counselors? (See Proverbs 11:14; 27:9.) How do you pray to discern God’s will?
- Judas hardened his heart in the face of God’s grace. Despite walking with Jesus, witnessing miracles, and seeing God’s redemptive plan unfold before his very eyes, he was complicit in Jesus’ murder. Reformer John Calvin says, “Judas may not be excused on the ground that what befell him was prophesied, since he fell away not through the compulsion of the prophecy but through the wickedness of his own heart.” What have you hardened your heart to, and how have you resisted God’s grace? How will you repent? What lies do you believe? What truths will replace these lies?
- All of the apostles named in this passage were witnesses to Jesus’ ministry on earth and the amazing events of the early church. Many of them are never heard from again, yet we believe they were faithful to the task given them. Most of us are not famous or renowned in any way. What is God calling you to be faithful to, even though it may not be remembered?
This devotion is adapted from the Acts Study Guide: Chapters 1–5. This companion resource to Pastor Mark’s current sermon series on Acts includes 10 more weekly group inductive studies, 11 small group studies, and 55 daily devotions.
