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**foudroyant** · 01-28-2014, 08:42 PM

F. Part
1. In Acts 1:16-22 Peter points out the need to replace Judas by connecting his transgression against the Lord Jesus (v. 16 cf. v. 25) to his "part" of the "ministry" (v.17 cf. v. 25) from which he fell (v. 18 cf. v. 25).
2. John Lange: Commentators differ in opinion on the point whether this prayer was addressed to God the Father, or to the exalted Lord Jesus. Meyer who adopts the former view appeals to ch. 15.7ff., where Peter repeats the term kardiognwstes and applies it expressly to God, of whom he also says exelexato dia tou stomatos mou akousai ta ethnee, etc.; this passage, however, does not refer to the choice of an apostle. The correctness of the second view - that the prayer was addressed to Jesus - appears from the following considerations; (1.) In ver. 21, Jesus is expressly termed ho Kurios, to which autou in ver. 22 refers, whence it appears that Kurie in ver. 24 is naturally to be referred to Jesus also; (2.) As the individual who was to be chosen was designed to be an apostle of Jesus, the choice was obvious to be submitted to Jesus also; (3.) As the Lord Jesus himself chose his apostles on earth (ver. 2, tois apostolois - - ous exelexato; comp. ver. 24, exelexw), so, too, he chose on this occasion Matthias as an apostle by a direct act, although he had ascended to heaven, even as, at a later period, he chose Saul, ch. 9.15, 17. If we besides compare the terms occurring in ver. 17 and 25 respectively [in both the same words, ton kleeron tes diakonias tautees. -TR], we receive the impression that as Judas had obtained "the lot of this ministry" by the choice which Jesus made of him, so one of the two disciples now nominated would also receive "the lot of this ministry" by the special choice of Christ (Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John and Acts, Volume 9 page 21).

G. Ministry
1. Later in Acts Luke records Paul's words that he received his ministry from the Lord Jesus:
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).
2. Every time this particular Greek word for ministry (diakonia) is used in the initial selection of the apostles in association with the "Lord" it always refers to with the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:17*; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 12:5; Ephesians 4:12 and Colossians 4:17).
3. The evidence that the Lord Jesus is referred to in Colossians 4:17 will be looked at more closely for like Acts 1:24-25 it simply has the appellation "Lord" in association with "ministry". This is the second time one of the words from the prayer is coupled with the appellation "Lord". In the first instance anadeiknumi was used elsewhere in reference to the Lord Jesus (Luke 10:1) - and the evidence will prove the same in this example which gives further proof that the "Lord" to whom they prayed to in Acts 1:24-25 was the Lord Jesus.
Colossians 4:17 It reads:
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
1. The phrase "in the Lord" (Colossians 4:17) is found only two other times in the same book of Colossians and in both passages "Lord" refers to the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:18 and 4:7).
a. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18).
The context reveals that the "Lord" applies to the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17 and Colossians 3:24).
b. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord (Colossians 4:7).
Notice that it reads, "faithful minister" and "fellow servant" followed by "in the Lord".
Compare this with Colossians 1:7: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.
There are those two expressions again, "faithful minister" and "fellow servant" but whereas in Colossians 4:7 it reads "in the Lord" here it is in reference to Christ - yes, the "Lord" Jesus Christ.
1. Kenneth Wuest: In the words, "in the Lord," the writer is seen "identifying himself with Christ and giving the exortation as one made by Christ Himself" (Expositors) (Ephesians and Colossians in the Greek New Testament for the English Reader, Kenneth S. Wuest, page 106).
2. J.B. Lightfoot: Archippus received the charge immediately from St Paul, though ultimately from Christ (Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, page 244-245).
*For Acts 1:17 see "F" and "J".

H. Apostleship
1. Every time this particular Greek word for apostleship (apostole) is used in association with the "Lord" it is always in reference to the Lord Jesus (Romans 1:5 and 1 Corinthians 9:2)
2. TDNT: Luke tells us expressly that the substitute for Judas had to fulfil the condition of having been with the apostles "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto the same day that he was taken up from us" (Ac. 1:21 f.). Closest contact with Jesus during His life is thus the most important prerequisite for assuming the apostolate. In practice this means that the primitive community did not see in commissioning by the risen Lord anything radically new (1:436, apostolos, Rengstorf).
3. TDNT: Concerning Paul: he still considers his apostole and diakonia as wholly and utterly received, not as self-elected (R. 1:5; cf. Ac. 20:24). The Giver is Christ (Gl. 1:12) (4:7, lambanw, Delling).

I. Acts 1:15-22: (15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) (16) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. (17) For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. (18) Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. (19) And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. (20) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. (21) Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, (22) Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (23) And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. (24) And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, (25) That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. (26) And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

J. Numbered
1. See "F" above where "Part" appears in the same passage with "ministry" in reference to the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:17).
2. Just as the Lord Jesus "numbered" Judas to His closest circle (Acts 1:17 cf. Luke 22:3) so too He chooses Matthias to be "numbered" with the other apostles to replace him (Acts 1:26).
a. NIDNTT: In Acts 1:17 Peter refers to Judas having obtained through Christ's choice a share in the apostolic ministry (1:478, Determine, J.I. Packer).

K. Bishoprick
1. The Greek word spoken by Peter for "bishoprick" in Acts 1:20 means a position of an overseer. In his epistle Peter would teach that the Lord Jesus is the Omniscient "Bishop" (episkopos) of the souls of the Christians.
See "Jesus as the heart-knower of all (καρδιογνώστης = omniscience)‏"
http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/sh...cience)‏
and "Peter: The Worship of the Lord Jesus"
http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/sh...the-Lord-Jesus

L. Take
1. Acts 1:20 reads: his bishoprick let another take.
2. Acts 1:25 reads: That he may take.
a. In both passages the Greek word for take is "lambanw".
As noted in "F" the theme of this portion of Scripture is the need to find a replacement for Judas because of his betrayal of the Lord Jesus. Matthias would soon receive this new ministry. Later in Acts Paul would speak of his ministry he received ("lambanw") from the Lord Jesus:.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received (lambanw) of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

M. Ordained
1. The Lord Jesus "ordained" the twelve apostles (Mark 3:14; John 15:16) and with the absence of Judas He is asked in prayer to "ordain" one more (Acts 1:22).

**foudroyant** · 01-28-2014, 08:42 PM

http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/art...o-jesus-christ
2. From a Christadelphian we site: In Acts 1:24-26, we read that the apostles prayed to the Lord to guide their choice of the apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. Who was the Lord to whom they prayed? In the New Testament the title Lord (Gk. kurios) is applied to God and to Jesus, depending on the context. Since Jesus chose all the other apostles (John 6:70), we can reasonably assume that he chose the apostle to replace Judas.
http://www.tidings.org/2006/02/comme...-jesus-christ/

O. The Jehovah's Witnesses belief that the Lord Jesus is not to be prayed to runs contrary to what took place in Acts 1:24-25.

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Acts 1:24-25 is a prayer to the Lord Jesus

Acts 1:24-25 is a prayer to the Lord Jesus

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