C
CarmelJerome
Guest
‘During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of 120 persons in the place) …’
These dozen verses had never impressed me before another poster asked about the filling of Judas’ office. Peter rises to speak without any prelude following the prayers of those gathered. He assumes a tone of authority immediately, as he explains the fulfillment of the scriptures, the way in which Judas fulfilled the prophecy and why, scripturally, his office must be filled. Peter then states without any consultation whatsoever what qualifies one of the company to be eligible to fulfill the ministry; the company proposes two candidates and ask for the Holy Spirit to assist their choice. - No, Peter does not make the choice on his own, but he charged the disciples with their first task. Only after Matthias is chosen and the office filled does the Holy Spirit descend in power.
After the descent of the Spirit, Peter is the first to preach the gospel as chief of the apostolic college, and when those who were scoffing ask what they have to do, it’s Peter again who says ‘Repent and be baptized.’, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children, to you and to all those who are far off, whomever the Lord our God will call."
What is so striking as well on this reading is that Peter, like His Master, is speaking as one having authority; you can hear Jesus emphasis of ‘Truly, truly I say unto you’ eechoing in Peter’s declarations.
These dozen verses had never impressed me before another poster asked about the filling of Judas’ office. Peter rises to speak without any prelude following the prayers of those gathered. He assumes a tone of authority immediately, as he explains the fulfillment of the scriptures, the way in which Judas fulfilled the prophecy and why, scripturally, his office must be filled. Peter then states without any consultation whatsoever what qualifies one of the company to be eligible to fulfill the ministry; the company proposes two candidates and ask for the Holy Spirit to assist their choice. - No, Peter does not make the choice on his own, but he charged the disciples with their first task. Only after Matthias is chosen and the office filled does the Holy Spirit descend in power.
After the descent of the Spirit, Peter is the first to preach the gospel as chief of the apostolic college, and when those who were scoffing ask what they have to do, it’s Peter again who says ‘Repent and be baptized.’, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children, to you and to all those who are far off, whomever the Lord our God will call."
What is so striking as well on this reading is that Peter, like His Master, is speaking as one having authority; you can hear Jesus emphasis of ‘Truly, truly I say unto you’ eechoing in Peter’s declarations.
