One Accord
One Accord
Acts 1:12-26
We are all in this...together. We can beat this...together. We can do this...together. Business after business, politician after politician, leader after leader started began to use the language of togetherness. Covid took over the world in 2020 and it seems like every leader wanted the whole world to be on the same page. The problem was (and is) we are not. The language of togetherness was aspirational but it was not reality. Every time I would hear the phrase, “We are all in this…together,” I would reply with, “No we aren’t.” Just because someone says it, does not make it true. If anything, the last 18 months have revealed, “we are all NOT in this...together.” Mere words cannot change the reality of togetherness but words displayed with the empty-tomb togetherness in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ can transform the world.
Luke records Jesus’ words to his disciples after his resurrection, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then Luke writes, “he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Everything we see in the book of Acts is rooted and grounded in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ as written in the Word of God from Genesis to Malachi. For Jesus condenses the whole Old Testament by saying to his disciples, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Mere words cannot change the reality of togetherness, but words together with the witness of the church have transformed the world.
The world cannot say, “We are all in this together,” but the church of the Lord Jesus Christ must say, “We are all in this together,” for we are one as Father and the Son are one. God calls us individually to be part of his family. We are adopted as his sons and daughters through repentance and faith to become children of God. We are grafted into one vine. We all enter the same sheepgate to become his flock. We are individual stones built into the temple. We are individual members formed into one body. We are all together, but for what purpose? We are witnesses of the resurrection. Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jesus Christ has already taught the church how to display his glory to the nations, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35). We will be witnesses by our love and our togetherness in the church. The world will know we are disciples by our witness and we will only be true witnesses by our love.
We will see the theme of togetherness throughout the book of Acts. Remember the book of Acts is about all what the risen Lord Jesus will continue to do and teach as he reigns at the right hand of God the Father. I pray we will see how the church was in one accord in three specific ways in our text today. First, the church was in one accord in worship.
One Accord in Worship
The disciples watched Jesus ascend into the sky and Luke records in the gospel, “And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” The disciples who were troubled in Spirit at the thought of his departure now are worshipping him with great joy together. Acts 1:12-14,
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
The Mount of Olives was an important place in Jesus’ life. Luke 22:39, “And Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.” The last time Jesus was at the Mount of Olives with his disciples they all fell asleep while he prayed to the Father before his crucifixion, “not my will but yours, be done.” And it was the place of his betrayal where Judas betrayed with a kiss. I believe the Mount of Olives would have been a very important place for the disciples. There he reminded them twice, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Once a place of betrayal and sorrow was transformed into a place of hope, promise and joy. There may be certain places in your life where you experienced pain and sorrow that God wants to turn to praise as you think of what the Lord has done in your life.
They return to Jerusalem which is a Sabbath day’s journey away. The rabbis set one kilometer the distance one could walk on the Sabbath that would not constitute work. They returned and went into the upper room. Luke then records who was in the upper room and names the 11 remaining apostles, “Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the Son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.” The order is slightly different than the arrangement in Luke (Luke 6:12-16). The big difference is that this list is 11 not 12 excluding Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray him. Luke mentions all the Apostles as they play a key role in leaders of the book of Acts, specifically Peter and John and James. The choosing of the twelfth apostle is important as the twelve apostles are connected to the twelve tribes of Israel. The formation of the Twelve were symbolic in Jesus ministry as a reformation of Israel. The twelve were called to witness to all Israel as we will see at Pentecost.
As you read through Acts, it is important to take notice of the summary verses for Luke uses them to instruct the early church. Verse 14, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Luke highlights the twelve were there with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. Mark 6:3, mentioned Jesus had 4 brothers, James, Judas, Joseph and Simon. They were his half-brothers and who became his followers after his resurrection. Luke consistently highlights women and their prominent role in ministering with Jesus and for Jesus. Some scholars believe the women mentioned were the wives of the apostles. This certainly could be the case, but does not limit the women to only the wives since women do play a prominent role in the advance of the gospel. There are no second hand citizens in the book of Acts and therefore there should be no second hand citizens in the kingdom of God today. Brothers and sisters, men and women, were together devoting themselves to prayer.
Beloved, the church has not always had a good record in the treatment and valuing of women. When Jesus said, love one another, he was referring to the whole body, men and women, boys and girls. Beloved, I pray we would be the kind of church that is in one accord. That phrase, “one accord,” or “one mind” appears 11 times in the New Testament with 10 of them being in the book of Acts. When used in regards to the disciples, it shows the fundamental unity of the early church. Unity, oneness, should be a marker for the church. Paul encourages to be, “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call---one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
It is hard to deny the importance of unity in the body of Christ. And yet, the church being in one mind revolves around truth and worship. We are not merely called to be united, we are called to be united in truth and worship of the One true God who is over all and through all and in all. All who were gathered in the upper room were devoted to prayer. They were seeking the Lord together. Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if our church was known for the same? Wouldn't it be a powerful witness of the resurrection if all of us were united together in worship and praying and seeking the King of kings and the Lord of lords? There are so many things that could divide us, but there is only One that unites us. We are one in Christ Jesus. We are one in his resurrection. Beloved, let us not use mere words of being in this together, but let us embody it in how we love and care for one another. Let us be one as the Father and the Son are one.
One Accord in Word
The church was built on the word of God and was the final authority for their life together. Peter stands up to address the church and gives us the first speech in Acts. Speeches make up about a third of the book. Acts 1:15–20 reads,
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
And
“‘Let another take his office.’
Peter references Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 to Judas and his betrayal of the Lord Jesus. Peter, along with the apostles, testified that the Scriptures were written by the Holy Spirit. He writes in his second epistle, 2 Peter 1:21, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” The early church believed that the Old Testament was the very word of God written by the Holy Spirit. Peter would also confirm Luke and Paul’s writings were God-inspired Scripture.
Take note how important the word of God is for the life of the church. One of the reasons we make the Word of God so central in our public gatherings is because the word of God has always had a prominent place in the gathering of God’s people. I believe that churches who do not have the Word as central in the life of the church are out of step with Spirit. One brother pointed out to me this week how different the Apostles approached the Word before and after the resurrection. Before the resurrection when Jesus told his disciples that the Son of Man must be betrayed and crucified and three days rise again, they rebuked him. And when he was gathered around the table at the Last Supper, where he told them that one of them was going to betray him, they were distressed and troubled. But now after the resurrection, they know that God’s word must be fulfilled and they rejoice in it. Jesus had to die. He had to suffer. He had to be betrayed. He had to be pierced. He had to die so we would not be blotted out of the book of life.
Friend, do you see the warning? Judas was numbered among the disciples and shared in the ministry of Jesus Christ, but he rejected Jesus, his friend and master. He betrayed God and chose riches instead. See the judgment that comes upon those who reject God for their own idols, whether it be riches or pleasure. The parentheses are not actually part of Peter’s speech but placed there by Luke to provide instruction and clarification,
Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
Matthew said that Judas tried to return the money, but it was refused and in despair, hanged himself. Matthew 27:3–10,
Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
Matthew and Luke shared two complementary explanations of the same events. Luke adds that his body fell headlong implying that after his death his body fell free from the tree and his insides spilled out. Some say the tree was over a cliff and his body fell on the rocks causing the damage or his body was left hanging for days and was so decomposed it burst when he fell from the tree.
Why did Matthew and Luke share the graphic nature of Judas’s death? It is a warning to us. There is judgment for everyone who rejects and betrays God. God will judge sin. Peter declared it, “The Scripture had to be fulfilled.” Friends, Scripture will be fulfilled. Everyone who rejects God will face judgment and a terrible end. The graphic nature of Judas’s demise is a warning to us. And yet, it also should overwhelm us that Jesus Christ took the horrific, gruesome judgment for us on the cross. Judas hung on a tree and was cursed by God for his sins. Jesus was hung on a tree and was cursed by God for our sins.
As I was preparing this message, those words, “Let another take his office,” gripped my soul. I know it is referring to someone taking Judas’s place as an Apostle, but I read it as one who took his office of the betrayer. Jesus was treated as Judas deserved so I could be forgiven. The judgment that was reserved for me, the right and just judgment for my betrayal, for my sin, for my greed, for my lust, my sinful pleasure, the Lord Jesus Christ took my place as a betrayer, as a glutton, drunkard, and a liar. It is absolutely staggering to think that God would die for me. Not just die, but die a gruesome, horrific death on a tree.
Friend, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, please know that the Scriptures teach that there is a judgment for everyone who rejects God for their own lusts. It may be for wealth, sexual pleasure or power, but all who live for themselves will experience the right and just judgment of God. But know this, Jesus came to take your place. He came to be counted as a transgressor, as a sinner, as a betrayer, as a Judas, so you and I could be forgiven. The Bible says that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Because he didn’t just die, but he rose from the dead. Jesus Christ is alive, seated at the right hand of God. God’s Word must be fulfilled. If you reject God you will die, but if you die to yourself and trust in Christ you will live.
Spend time reading Psalm 69 that Peter references and see the Psalm epitomizes the Lord Jesus Christ. It reads, Psalm 69:16–18
Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
Hide not your face from your servant,
for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
Draw near to my soul, redeem me;
ransom me because of my enemies!
The resurrection is proof he answered that prayer. If you call out to God, he will turn to you with his abundant mercy and shower you with his steadfast love. He will draw near to your soul and redeem you, buy you back from the grave by being your ransom. Oh friend, heed the warning of Judas and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.
One Accord in Witness
The church was in one accord in their worship, their commit to the Word and their commit to be witnesses of the resurrection. Again, one of the reasons why Judas had to be replaced was to witness to all of Israel which would have represented the 12 tribes, 2 southern tribes representing Judah (Judea) and the 10 northern tribes (Samaria). Acts 1:21–26 reads,
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
First, notice the requirements that the apostles had for choosing the next apostle. He had to be there from the beginning from the baptism of John until the resurrection and ascension. Why? The twelve had to have seen Jesus live and die as a man so that they would be able to speak with confidence of the resurrection. For second, their main job was to be a witness of the resurrection of Christ. In Acts, the apostles preached the gospel in power and displayed the visible manifestation of God’s power in miracles.
The twelve appear together several times in the early chapter of Acts in their witness of the resurrection in Jerusalem and Judea, but as Acts moves on and the ministry moves among Gentiles they are rarely mentioned. I think this is because the main purpose of the twelve was to witness to Israel in Jerusalem while Paul was mainly called to witness to the end of the earth among the Gentiles. Paul’s conversion is more similar to ours. We did not experience the loud voice from heaven, but we all had a Damascus road like experience when we repented of our sins and trusted in Christ. I am not referring to how dramatic the conversion was, but how Paul who never saw Christ physically on earth (as far as we know) but still believed and was saved.
This is the last time lots are mentioned in the Bible and the last time used in decision making. Once the Holy Spirit comes in Acts 2, the disciples merely pray to the Lord because the Holy Spirit who dwells with them will guide them in all things. I remember reading this chapter when I was thinking about marrying Ellen. I had a little green die in my pocket that I was praying over one day. I thought that I am going to roll this die in and if it is a “one” then she must be the “one” for me. Half way there the day I reached in my pocket for my keys and the die fell to the floor and sure enough it was a “one.” I immediately said, “that doesn’t count.” So I did it again and it was a “one.” And then, since the “third times a charm,” I did it again, and a “one.” And yes I rolled it a fourth time and it was a 6, but alas. All that to say, please don’t cast lots for your spouse or any major decision today. We do not need to cast lots because the Holy Spirit will lead us.
Remember there is a transition happening in history. The kingdom of God has come near and the messianic age has begun. The disciples were committing the process to the Lord, for He, knows the hearts of all. The lot fell to Matthias and was numbered with the eleven apostles. The restoring of Israel, Judea and Samaraia, the twelves tribes shall continue in the succeeding chapters when you will see Jews from the north, the south, east and the west repent of their sins and trust in the Messiah, the Savior of the Lord and be saved.
Beloved, we are called to be in one accord as we are witnesses of the resurrection. Do not miss how serious our calling is. Our ministry is eternal. We have been given the keys of the kingdom of God. We have the calling to witness to the resurrection in order to save people from hell and wrath to come. Notice the end of verse 25, “which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” Judas went to his own place meaning he went somewhere different than the remaining eleven. This is a euphemism for eternal judgment, a land of desolation, hell. It is rare to hear hell mentioned today or even to be alluded to in daily conversations or sadly even in pulpits. And yet, eternal judgment was never far from the early church’s mind. They knew their calling was to witness to the resurrection as hope to be freed from hell and the fear of death. Read the book of Acts, the Apostles did not fear death. They did not fear government oppression or disease. They did not live for this world, but the world that is to come. Hell is very real. It is an awful, horrific, just judgment against sin and sinners. But oh beloved, the resurrection has promised us heaven, joy forevermore in the presence of God forever. Jesus took our place to invite us to his heavenly place so we don't have to go to our own place. Staggering news!!
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ should be in one accord as we worship Christ, submit to the Word, and witness to the resurrection. We are in this together. Or at least we should be! Friend, join us. Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation but always in community. Join with us as we worship and witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let's be in this together. Let us be one accord as we wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Let us be witnesses of the resurrection in the power of Spirit for the glory of the one who took our place.