Acts 1:12-26 – In the first lesson we have the account of Matthias chosen
to replace Judas. There were certain qualifications for this office. Apparently
several met the requirements but the believers were selecting someone who had
ministered publicly and was an eye-witness of Jesus’ resurrection. By casting
lots they were able to all God the right of choice. The use of rocks or sticks
to designate the choice was common see 1 Chronicles 26:13-16
Acts 1:12–26 narrates
what the followers of Jesus did after his ascension. They remained in Jerusalem
as Jesus had commanded (Acts 1:4). Luke names the eleven disciples and then
summarizes that they were together in unity dedicated to prayer.
“All these were continuously devoted (present participle) with one
accord to prayer together with women, also with Mary the mother of Jesus and
his brothers” (Acts 1:14). Jesus is God in human flesh. God in human flesh
as true man has a human mother and human brothers. To emphasize the biblical
Christology we confess with the early church that Mary is “the mother of God.” We can also say that these are “the brothers of God.” According to John
7:5, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him, but now they are part of his
disciples. Probably the forty days of post-resurrection appearances led them to
faith.
The words; ‘with one accord,’ recurs in Acts. It can be used to refer to the unity of the opponents (Acts 7:57; 18:12; 19:29), but here it stresses the unity brought about by Jesus, in the teaching, confession, and prayer, shared by the followers of Jesus (Acts 1:14; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 8:6; 15:25). This emphasis on unity in Acts 1:14 correlates with the gospel lesson of John 17:1–11, where Jesus prays for those whom the Father gave him, that they may be one even as Jesus and the Father are one. Acts 1 records the beginning of the fulfillment to Jesus’ prayer.
Peter as the first
among equals then proclaimed to the group of about 120 believers. He began with
the vocative, “Men, brothers.” He
spoke to males who are now “brothers.”
Whereas in verse 14 “brothers” refers to Jesus’ natural brothers, here it
refers to “brothers” in the faith.
Jesus creates the family of God so that he is our “brother” and we are “brothers”
with him and each other. Peter explained that the Old Testament Scriptures had
“to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before hand by means of the mouth
of David.” The Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit, and he spoke them by
means of human instruments. In this case Peter was referring to Psalms 69 and
109, both Davidic psalms.[2]
[1]
The Resurrection of our Lord Schnorr von Carolsfeld,
woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to
personal and congregational use.
[3] Collect for Easter 7, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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