In last week’s lesson, Acts 1:1-12, the angles told the disciples, “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.”
In this week’s lesson, Acts 1:13-26 the disciples went back to the ‘upper room’ in Jerusalem. Verse 14 tells us that “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Doug pointed out that “joined together constantly in prayer” was not a general prayer meeting that covered all of their needs, but a specific prayer. We don’t know what that prayer was but can assume it was regarding something Jesus has recently told them, i.e., go into the world and make disciples, or wait until the Holy Spirit comes to them, or maybe even that the angles had said that the angels had said that Jesus would come back the same way he left!
In verse 15 Peter was speaking to a group of people about Judas. He said, “…Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.” They later elected Matthias to take Judas’ place as one of the eleven disciples.
Doug referred us to Luke 22:31–32 where Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Interesting that Jesus knew that Peter would fail, deny Him, and “when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” What a powerful thought that Jesus prayed for Peter and he prays for us even when he know we may fail Him!