Waiting for power

Acts #3: Waiting for power                Acts 1:13-26

The Apostles had been instructed to wait at Jerusalem for the promised power of the Holy Spirit that was to enable them for their work. That command had been given by the Saviour. They responded obediently to it and gather in an upper room to await that out pouring.

I  DAYS OF PRAYER.

Clearly the Apostles understood that the waiting meant praying. They were not simply to hang around till it happened!

1. A persistence in prayer. The words abode and continued indicate an earnest, determined focus fixed upon praying.
2. A remarkable unity of purpose.
3. All. The eleven apostles are mentioned by name as present and engaged in this waiting upon God.
4. One accord. This emphasizes the unity of purpose and harmony of heart in this praying. There was agreement on this matter. Cp Ps 133:1-3.
5. Women and other believers. The gather was not limited only to the Apostles. Their ministry was the focus of the prayer. Others prayed for them.
6. Their activity, v14. They engaged God in prayer and supplication. In a spirit of worship they sought God, asking Him for what He had promised. The Spirit of God came in answer to prayer. Cp Luke 11:13, Mark 9:29.

II  PETER’S DISTRACTING PROPOSITION.

Prayer is a difficult discipline. It is hard to maintain focus and to diligently pursue the Divine agenda. We are easily distracted from it! These verses record a diversion of the attention of the saints from praying for the Holy Ghost.

1. Peter’s proposal. He takes the lead in raising this matter. Actions can have the appearance of right when such a man leads the way. All apparently concurred with him that a new apostle needed to be put in place. It is easy to follow a good man into a distraction from the primary work they were called to.
2. Warrant claimed. It seemed to him he had the guidance of the Spirit and the Scriptures, v20. Yet he really had no warrant to proceed in this matter at this time. How careful we must be in our use of the word of God to justify our actions. It must never be used to lead aside from the clearly stated command of Christ. They also prayed, v24 and by using the lot seemed to leave the matter with the Lord to choose. It all has the appearance of action commissioned by God—but was not. It was the Saviour’s personal business to commission apostles. The business of these days was prayerful waiting on God for the power of the Spirit.
3. Criteria, v21-22. He had no business whatever setting such criteria! It was not from this class of men at all that the Lord in due course selected His replacement for Judas. We can often be wrong about the kind of man the church needs! We certainly will be so if we neglect the need for the Spirit’s fullness.
4. Came to nothing. The process initiated came to nothing in due course. Matthias was no doubt a very good man—but he was no apostle. How often the devices of men in God’s work fizzle out and come to nothing! Cp Acts 5:38-39. Peter must in due course have looked back on this with some sense of embarrassment! Anything that sets aside the duty to seek the fullness of the Spirit for service is destined to come to nothing eventually.