38
Acts 1:15 to 2:13
A 1:15,16. a In those days.
b The 120.
c Together (Epi to auto).
d The Holy Ghost (To pneuma to hagion).
e Spake by mouth of David.
f Dwellers in Jerusalem (Katoikeo).
B 1:17-19.
g In their proper tongue
(Te idia dialekto auton).
C 1:20-26.
The appointment of Matthias.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES.
A 2:1-4.
a The day of Pentecost.
b All (i.e. the 12).
c In one place (epi to auto).
d Holy Ghost (pneuma hagion).
e Began to speak.
B 2:5-8.
f Dwellers at Jerusalem (katoikeo).
g In our own language (te idia dialekto hemon).
C 2:9-13.The representative Countries.
THE TWELVE COUNTRIES.
Israel were not set aside at the crucifixion of the Lord. The apostles were enjoined to tarry at Jerusalem and bear
witness to His resurrection. Should Israel repent, it was necessary that there should be twelve apostles to occupy
twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Had the number of the twelve not been made up, the apostles
could not have said `all things are ready' (Matt. 22:4). Was Peter right when he declared that the Psalm he quoted
spoke of Judas? Here is the answer:
`I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread
with Me hath lifted up his heel against Me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may
believe that I am He' (John 13:18,19).
Here the Lord not only quoted the Psalm as of Judas, but emphasized the point that the object of informing them
before it came to pass was that their faith in Him might be strengthened at the accomplishment of the event. Now it
had come to pass, and they believed; so must we.
In addition to this we have recorded in Luke 24:44-48 the fact that the Lord not only passed in review the Old
Testament Scriptures, including the Psalms, and dealt with those passages that spoke of Himself, but that He also
`opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures'. When therefore Peter said, `This scripture
must needs have been fulfilled', he was but repeating the lesson of Luke 24:26 and 46 (Received Text), for they are
the self-same words there rendered, `ought' and `behoved', that are translated `must needs be' in Acts 1:16.
Though it may not be agreed that Peter's quotation of the Psalm was appropriate, it is possible that some may
entertain the suspicion that in selecting but two men the apostles were manifesting prejudice, and limiting the Lord.
We shall, however, find that there was an important reason for this limitation. Referring once more to our Lord's
own instructions, we read:
`But when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father ... He shall testify (bear witness)
of Me: and ye also shall bear witness, because YE HAVE BEEN WITH ME FROM THE BEGINNING' (John 15:26,27).
Evidently the apostles were acting with this qualification in mind, for Acts 1:21,22 reads: