Preparing for Ecclesiastical Business
W. Hudson. Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples, and said… Notice that the company was — 1. Comparatively small. But it was the first part of Christ's mighty kingdom. Despise not the day of small things. 2. Business-like. "Names" suggests that a list was probably drawn up — a sign of intelligence and earnestness. 3. Imperfect. One place was vacant, and the company could not be content till it was filled. 4. Every member of it acknowledged the authority of Holy Scripture. The company was prepared — I. BY BEING ADEQUATELY INSTRUCTED. Peter's speech showed — 1. That the place of Judas must be filled up. The number of apostles followed that of the twelve tribes of Israel. They were commonly designated as "the Twelve," both before and after the death of Judas. 2. That the whole assembly must take part in filling up the vacancy. 3. That the Word of God was to give the assembly present direction. 4. That definite qualifications were required in an apostle. 5. That a definite work had to be done by the apostles. This instruction probably cleared up vague thinkings for many a member of the company. II. BY BEING STRONGLY WARNED AGAINST SIN. In the case of Judas they saw — 1. Sin working in one who had held office under Jesus — the Saviour from sin. What qualifications had they which Judas had not had? Yet sin turned him out of his office. Then let all beware. 2. Sin working in one who had been chosen for office by Jesus Himself. 3. Sin growing to great enormity. 4. Sin making its perpetrator infamous. 5. Sin ending in a doom of darkness.Conclusion: Here we see — 1. The true primacy of Peter. He led in preparation, interpretation and prayer. The fulfilment of the words, "Thou art Peter," etc., is here begun. The foundation is not the confession, but the man (Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:4-6). Christ is the one foundation stone (1 Corinthians 3:11); but there is also a foundation of the apostles and prophets, and this is laid in Peter. Accordingly he founded the Jewish portion of the Church, as we see in the early chapters of this book. On him, standing on Christ, were laid in one day three thousand souls. And he also founded the Gentile portion (chaps. 10., 11.). But Peter had no special primacy of rank after his own special work was completed. And he could have no successor. 2. The true functions of the preacher. Peter gave the sense of Scripture, and applied it to the circumstances of the time so directing the hearers. The Acts is the best treatise on homiletics. 3. A good example for all Christians. Under Peter's direction the company prayed, considered their duty, and so proceeded to action — prayer, meditation, work, describe the whole sphere of Christian duty. (W. Hudson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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,) WEB: In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,