Real Talk - Moving On (Acts 1:15-26)

Real Talk with Roderick

Moving On (Acts 1:15-26)

Between the ascension of the Lord (Acts 1:9) and the arrival of the aforementioned Anointing (Acts 1:5,8; 2:1-4) there is a period referred to as those days (ταῖς ἡμέραις - Acts 1:15). It was during those days that the disciples of Jesus spent their time together in prayer and supplication in an upper room (Acts 1:14). At some point in the mean of that while Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples1 to address an issue: Judas is gone.

Peter's description of the that state of affairs is interesting. Rather than starting with the negative fact that Judas was no longer in their number he begins with the positive - Scripture had to be fulfilled (ἔδει πληρωθῆναι τὴν γραφὴν). Does it matter? Certainly! It is the difference between seeing first the problem and seeing first the hand of Providence. It is the difference between focusing on Judas' failure and focusing on Scripture's fulfillment. Some people naturally look at a situation and become overwhelmed by the sight of obstacles. Others look into the same situation and see the opportunities. It is hard to be an effective leader if you can only present the problem; to truly inspire people you have to also see clearly the problem and the possibilities that exist in the same dark situation. 

 

    Godly leaders see the enormity of intimidating issues in light of the fact that with God nothing is impossible. They confront their problems with a courage that comes from confidence in the risen Christ, the meaning of His cross, and the calling that is on their lives.

 

Peter is such a leader. And according to the calling that is on his life he is again, having been restored and supernaturally enabled to understand Scripture (Luke 24:45), strengthening his brethren (Luke 22:32).

    Among them Peter takes the leading place, as to a large extent he did during the period covered by the Gospel narrative. His denial of Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest might well have discredited him irretrievably in his colleagues’ eyes, but the risen Lord’s personal appearance to him and recommissioning of him rehabilitated him and ensured for him a position of leadership never to be forfeited.67

    Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 44). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

 

The Positive Perspective of Peter (Acts 1:16-19)

The rugged fisherman addresses his fellow disciples with a candid and positive description of what has taken place: Scripture has been fulfilled.

• Judas' Fall was Foretold (Acts 1:16-17; John 13:18; 17:12; Psalm 41:9) - Jesus had prepared His disciples for Judas' defection. In their last supper together He had said that His betrayal would be facilitated by someone who had the audacity to eat that meal with Him and then act with unthinkable meanness by betraying Him to His enemies. When the Lord reveals this information He quotes from Psalm 41:9. It is with this in mind that Peter says that there is a up side to what we have seen - Judas deception and defection was all part of the plan.

 9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9 (NKJV)

• Judas' Fate was Foretold (Acts 1:18-19; Matthew 27:3-10; Zechariah 11:12-13) - What else did Peter have in mind when he said the Scripture had to be fulfilled? Although it was not part of Peter's speech Luke says that even the way Judas dies was predicted: (1) the thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15), (2) the return of the silver to the temple (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:3-5), (3) the money being used to by the potter's field and that field would become the place where Judas would die (Matthew 27:5-10). The Scriptures foretold that Judas would use the betrayal money to buy the place of his own death. It is with this in mind that Peter says that there is an up side to what we have seen - Judas died according to plan.

 

    Peter cites two passages, one regarding the removal of Judas from his place and position, the other regarding the filling of his vacant place by another. Both passages deal with the enemies of the theocracy during David’s time; it is thus that they apply to Judas who by his traitorous act stands forth among these enemies as their chief representative. All those enemies of David’s time are the type of whom Judas became the great antitype. It is thus that the Holy Spirit spoke about Judas in advance. When he spoke through David, Judas was fully foreknown. When he quotes Ps. 69:25, Peter renders the LXX quite exactly and makes only verbal changes that retain the full meaning. David’s plural is, however, made a singular because the passage is used specifically with reference to Judas.

    Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (pp. 48–49). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

The Prescription of Scripture According to Peter (Acts 1:20-22)

Peter anticipates the work that is coming and he sees something wrong with the state of affairs: we are down one apostle. He has accepted the call on His life and the summons to strengthen His brethren (Luke 22:32). To see the significance of what Peter is doing we need to consider his profile:

• Clueless but Desires the Best God Has to Offer - John 13:6-10
• Promising Insight by Lacking Humility - Matthew 16:13-23
• Willing to Get Out of the Boat to Walk on Water - Matthew 14:27-32
• Willing to Get Out of the Boat to Get to Jesus Faster - John 21:7-10
• Opened Understanding - Luke 23:45

Did Jesus know that Peter was going to do this? Did Jesus know that the big fisherman would taken it upon himself to lead his fellow disciples into a decision, a destination, and a new disposition on recent events. He counted on it (Luke 22:32).

the decision to move on is sometimes more important than the direction.

Regardless of what many think about whether or not the disciples should have chosen another apostle we need to be mindful of three things: (1) Peter is a leader chosen by Jesus to take charge, (2) he sees a problem with the missing man, and (3) he is willing to get out of the boat and even fail in trying to get them closer to Jesus. I will follow a man like that - especially after Jesus has opened his understanding.

• Judas' Role has been Removed (Psalm 69:25) - There will be no more betrayal among the twelve. His role was predicted and necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled. But it is no longer needed and will not happen again.
• We Have to Move On (Psalm 109:8) - Peter takes a passage from the Psalter and says that the fallen must be replaced. Why? When James the apostle dies he is not replaced. Judas did not finish in faith but apostatized. Where James was faithful in his church-founding role until death Judas was unfaithful in life and was never restored. His office had not truly been fulfilled. 

Peter is pressing his team to acknowledge the failure, to focus on the fulfillment, and to forge ahead.

The Product of Peter's Positivity (Acts 1:22-26)

• disposition (Acts 1:22) - these people have embraced the call to be witnesses. they are surrendered and committed to the commission.
• new type of prayer (Acts 1:24-25) - praying to Jesus and thereby acknowledging His divinity

Making it Plain

• Face your fault.
• Focus on fulfillment of the calling that is on your life.
• Forge ahead.

Footnotes

1disciples in NKJV but ἀδελφῶν in the NU text.