And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
The verse records the appointment of two men, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias, as candidates for the one vacant place in the ranks of the apostles left by the apostasy and fall of Judas. Both men were regarded by the believers as qualified and worthy, people of firm integrity. Although the believers knew the men well, they did not trust their own judgment as sufficient and recognized it was imperfect, so they prayed for the Lord who knows every heart and its hidden secrets to show which man was more suitable. Matthias was selected by God and the Holy Spirit for the office.
The verse is instruction regarding the choosing of men to bear responsibilities in the church, showing that when a leader falls another must be chosen to take his place. It belongs to a history and chapter that teaches the importance of organizing the work and setting it in order by appointing workers to carry out neglected work under the Holy Spirit's guidance. God has certain men to fill certain positions, so choice of men must be made carefully, wisely, and with great discretion by people guarded against choosing those who will betray sacred trusts or who cannot bear the responsibilities. Appointing those unable to do the work can burden the church and harm its mission. If such guardedness was needed in Christ's day, far greater discretion is needed now.
Every case of choosing workers must be presented before God, and in earnest prayer He must be asked to choose. The verse is among the passages to be studied for guidance in carrying God's work forward, calling workers to value heaven's light and to recognize their sacred responsibility to proclaim the message.
The verse records the appointment of two men, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias, as candidates for the one vacant place in the ranks of the apostles left by the apostasy and fall of Judas. Both men were regarded by the believers as qualified and worthy, people of firm integrity. Although the believers knew the men well, they did not trust their own judgment as sufficient and recognized it was imperfect, so they prayed for the Lord who knows every heart and its hidden secrets to show which man was more suitable. Matthias was selected by God and the Holy Spirit for the office.
The verse is instruction regarding the choosing of men to bear responsibilities in the church, showing that when a leader falls another must be chosen to take his place. It belongs to a history and chapter that teaches the importance of organizing the work and setting it in order by appointing workers to carry out neglected work under the Holy Spirit's guidance. God has certain men to fill certain positions, so choice of men must be made carefully, wisely, and with great discretion by people guarded against choosing those who will betray sacred trusts or who cannot bear the responsibilities. Appointing those unable to do the work can burden the church and harm its mission. If such guardedness was needed in Christ's day, far greater discretion is needed now.
Every case of choosing workers must be presented before God, and in earnest prayer He must be asked to choose. The verse is among the passages to be studied for guidance in carrying God's work forward, calling workers to value heaven's light and to recognize their sacred responsibility to proclaim the message.