--- title: "Introduction" description: "Following the departure of their leader, the apostles gather to pray and appoint a replacement for Judas, finalizing their core group of twelve to continue their mission." image: "" book: "Acts" bookId: "ACT" testament: "new" startChapter: 1 startVerse: 1 endChapter: 1 endVerse: 26 coversChapters: [1] aiTitle: "Breaking: Apostolic Leadership Restored After Sudden Vacancy" aiDescription: "Following the departure of their leader, the apostles gather to pray and appoint a replacement for Judas, finalizing their core group of twelve to continue their mission." hasAiStory: true location: "Jerusalem" persons: ["Theophilus","Jesus","God","Holy Spirit","apostles","John","Israel","Peter","James","Andrew","Philip","Thomas","Bartholomew","Matthew","Simon the Zealot","Judas son of James","Mary","David","Judas","Joseph Barsabbas","Matthias"] hashtags: ["baptism","betrayal","redemption","gospel"] genre: "history" readingTime: 3 type: "adaptive" slug: "ACT/introduction" canonicalId: "ACT.1.1-1.26" chronologicalOrder: 1523 relatedSlugs: ["MAT/the-resurrection","LUK/jesus-appears-to-the-disciples-the-ascension","MRK/the-resurrection","PSA/psalm-41-victory-over-betrayal","ROM/paul-the-minister-to-the-gentiles","ACT/the-church-community","ACT/the-apostles-before-the-sanhedrin","ACT/good-news-for-the-gentiles-the-gentiles-receive-the-holy-spirit","JHN/the-hatred-of-the-world-persecution-foretold","MAT/the-olivet-discourse","JHN/jesus-predicts-his-betrayal","PSA/psalm-69-the-waters-are-up-to-my-neck","PSA/psalm-109-the-song-of-the-slandered","JHN/where-i-am-going-you-cannot-come","ROM/israel-in-the-present","LUK/preparing-the-way-of-the-lord","MRK/the-olivet-discourse","DAN/daniels-first-vision","REV/opening","MAT/readiness-at-any-hour","ZEC/the-vision-of-the-lampstand-and-olive-trees","1TH/the-day-of-the-lord","LUK/dedication-to-theophilus-gabriel-foretells-johns-birth","MIC/second-cycle-of-judgment-and-restoration","1TH/the-return-of-the-lord","ISA/deliverance-for-jerusalem-the-servant-exalted","COL/the-supremacy-of-the-son","1CO/the-resurrection-of-christ","REV/the-two-witnesses","ISA/call-to-the-nations"] prevSlug: null nextSlug: "ACT/the-holy-spirit-at-pentecost" --- A major transition is currently unfolding within the inner circle of [Jesus'](/persons/jesus) followers. Following Jesus' final instructions and his departure from the public eye, his closest associates have gathered to process their next steps. The atmosphere is one of intense focus and unified prayer. The group, numbering about one hundred and twenty, is currently working to address the vacancy left by [Judas](/persons/judas), who played a central role in the recent betrayal of Jesus. [Peter](/persons/peter) addressed the group today, emphasizing that this transition was anticipated in the ancient writings and that it is necessary for the integrity of their mission. The criteria for the new appointment are strict: the candidate must have been present from the very beginning of the movement, starting with the baptism of [John](/persons/john), right up until the final day Jesus was with them. This ensures that the new leader is a verified witness to the resurrection. Two candidates were put forward: Joseph, also known as Barsabbas or Justus, and [Matthias](/persons/matthias). After a period of concentrated prayer asking for divine guidance to reveal who was truly chosen for this heavy responsibility, the group cast lots. The selection process has concluded, and Matthias has been officially added to the core team of eleven [apostles](/persons/apostles). This appointment marks a pivotal moment for the group as they prepare to share their experiences of the past few years with the wider world. ### Prologue In my first book, O [Theophilus](/persons/theophilus), I wrote about all that [Jesus](/persons/jesus) began to do and to teach, until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the [Holy Spirit](/persons/holy%20spirit) to the [apostles](/persons/apostles) He had chosen. After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of [God](/persons/god). And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. For [John](/persons/john) baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ” ### The Ascension So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to [Israel](/persons/israel)?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” ### [Matthias](/persons/matthias) Replaces [Judas](/persons/judas) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: [Peter](/persons/peter) and John, [James](/persons/james) and [Andrew](/persons/andrew), [Philip](/persons/philip) and [Thomas](/persons/thomas), [Bartholomew](/persons/bartholomew) and [Matthew](/persons/matthew), James son of Alphaeus, [Simon the Zealot](/persons/simon%20the%20zealot), and [Judas son of James](/persons/judas%20son%20of%20james). With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and [Mary](/persons/mary) the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of [David](/persons/david) concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the book of Psalms:‘May his place be deserted;let there be no one to dwell in it,’
and,‘May another take his position.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

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