Together In One Accord (Acts 2:12-26)
We read that Jesus commanded his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait. Why would we study a text about them waiting? Today, we will study a text that we might consider unnecessary. This text falls between promises being made and promises being fulfilled. Isn't it something that we should skip over?
We will look at it because this text teaches us about unity. What is it about unity that is so hard or allusive to us? We live in the denominational age. Everyone goes their way and tries to establish their own version of the truth. But even among people who have similar understandings of the truth, there's no real cohesive unity. We all act like the disciples acted before Jesus died, but look at these disciples now.
Submitting To Christ
Acts 1:12--14 (ESV) --- 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 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. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
These three verses show us that the disciples are beginning to change. Notice how Jesus commanded them to go to Jerusalem in verse 4, they saw him ascend into heaven in verses 9 and 10, and they go to Jerusalem in verse 12. Verses 13-14 tell us that they are all there. No one chose to stay in Galilee. They don't dare forsake this assembling of themselves together. They moved together as a unit from Galilee to Mount Olive to the upper room, and they were all "with one accord devoting themselves to prayer."
One accord is also translated as continually having one mind. They were harmonious in their thoughts. They pursued the same thing. They were all of one mind about going to Jerusalem to wait for Jesus. What happened to bring this unity about?
What happened? These guys were recently arguing about who is going to be the greatest! When Jesus was captured, they scattered. There was no unity. I'll tell you what happened. They finally submitted to the will of Jesus and stopped trusting in themselves. These disciples have always followed Jesus because they wanted to. They weren't submitting to him with all their heart. They didn't fully trust him enough to go to the cross with him. That trust and commitment are finally there, and it unites them. The disciples understood what they had to do, and they all submitted to doing it together. There wasn't a single person rebelling against Jesus' command. We don't get the sense that anyone is afraid of being arrested in Jerusalem. They don't want to stay in Galilee and give up on this idea. They submit together.
Bringing Up Judas
What happens next is fascinating. Notice again that these disciples go from Galilee to the Mount of Olives to the upper room. It's almost like they are retracing their steps and going back in time to what happened right before Jesus was crucified. While they pray in that upper room, Peter stands up and reminds them about Judas.
Acts 1:15--20 (ESV) --- 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “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. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (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. 19 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.) 20 “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.’
If you were one of the eleven remaining apostles, would you want to remember what happened on the night of your greatest failure? Would you want to talk about Judas? I wouldn't. That might cause the unity to break down. But they go back through all of that. Notice in verse 17, Peter says, "He was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." Peter reminds everyone that Judas was a vital member of this team. No one knew that he would betray Jesus. They were together in that upper room, and everyone thought Judas was in one accord with the disciples, but he wasn't.
Why would Peter bring this up? In my mind, this would spark some hard feelings. The men might get discouraged or think about how hard it is to know the heart of people around them. This might break up the unity that they have created. But it does the opposite. Notice what Peter says about Judas.
God Knew It
First, he says, "Scripture had to be fulfilled." This is a reference to Psalms.
Psalm 55:12--14 (ESV) --- 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me--- then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me--- then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.
Psalm 41:9 (ESV) --- 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
The Lord had to be betrayed to fulfill scripture. It's fascinating to see Peter saying this. Up until this point in the story, only Jesus spoke about the fulfillment of scripture. The disciples just wanted to get what they could get. Now Peter makes the point that God can work the betrayal of Judas for good.
We Can Learn From This
Second, he brings up Judas' outcome. Judas betrayed Jesus for money that ultimately he didn't want. His end was to die a miserable death. This also fulfilled scripture from Psalm 69, a text that is imprecatory against the enemy of God's anointed.
Do you see how this is intended to increase unity instead of taking it away? Their disunity led to the fall of a brother. Peter wants everyone to notice Judas' end to have complete commitment and devotion from all the disciples. The disciples are devoted to prayer with one accord. Now, Peter uses scripture to bring them even closer.
We must address the past. Before moving forward, the disciples needed to have the proper perspective on what happened with Judas. They needed to clear the air of gossip, false assumptions, or false accusations. What happened with Judas must never happen again. Peter explains what betraying the Lord got Judas. It got him the money he didn't want, a field he didn't want, and a rope around his neck so he could hang from a tree, cursed. This is the promised end for all who betray the Lord.
Moving Forward
Acts 1:21--26 (ESV) --- 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 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.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
After making the point that God has fulfilled scripture with Judas, Peter encourages them to fulfill scripture. Psalm 109 says, "Let another take his office." It's time to move on from Judas and add another disciple to the eleven. They choose between two men who meet the following criteria: he went in and out among us from the beginning to the end and must be a fellow witness of Jesus' resurrection.
They didn't just grab a random person. They chose someone who had seen everything and been there all along the way. Sometimes we feel that it was just the twelve disciples with Jesus, but there were more than that. In this case, Luke tells us that the twelve were with "the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." Verse 15 tells us that there were 120 people here when Peter did this. So they cast lots to let God decide between two men, Matthias and Joseph. Matthias was chosen and became one of the twelve.
Peter is helping the disciples move forward and prepare for the next stage together. Unity needs leadership and direction, and Peter shows us how to lead. He uses the wisdom God has given him, the scriptures to help guide him, and he trusts in God. We need godly men who are willing to lead us like this. Without strong leadership, the unity disintegrates. Unity disintegrates when the leaders do something other than what Peter is doing right here. We don't read about any disagreement among the other disciples because Peter's recommendation was selfless and God-focused.
About Unity
What does this teach us about unity?
Submission Brings Unity
Submission is the foundational element of unity. How can we have unity if we aren't submitting to the Lord together? If you are here today and you aren't submitting to the Lord, how can you be unified with those who are? There is a break in unity. I see a breakdown in unity here and in other places around us, and it all begins with this foundational principle. We must submit our hearts to the Lord. That means that we must submit our time and resources to the Lord.
I know that there are many here who give your resources abundantly. It's incredible how sacrificial many of you are with your money. You know that this world is not your home, and you are laying up treasures in heaven.
But unity cannot happen without complete submission. So what would that look like for us? Think about what it looked like for the disciples. They submitted to the work Jesus had given them to do. They devoted themselves to prayer with one accord. Are we submitting to the church's work as the apostles submit to the work Jesus has given them? Are we harmoniously doing the work God has given us to do?
Notice that none of them were upset and fighting about anything. They have the same mind, which means that the mission is more important than my opinion. We should be praying and discussing scripture with one accord like them. The battle for who will be the greatest in the kingdom is over. Will we wait patiently until the Lord provides his blessing?
Addressing The Past Brings Unity
Do you see how this discussion about Judas brings unity? Those who choose to betray the Lord need to understand that they will share with Judas' reward. No one wants that. The same holds true today. We need to discuss the complex topic of those who have fallen away. We need to clear the air of gossip, assumptions, and accusations so that there can be unity and harmony.
That sounds painful, and it could open the door for disunity, but Peter stays focused on scriptures and not opinions. He doesn't cast blame. Instead, he points out that God can use even evil things for our good. It might be hard to trust people after someone hurts us. Peter and the rest of the disciples knew that they were guilty of abandoning Jesus. They retraced those steps and felt humility. But now, they needed to move forward.
It might be hard to bring up those who have broken our trust, but we must discuss these difficult things to move forward. We have to get on the same page about those who have fallen away to have a close relationship and unity with each other. We have to have the same mind that knows we don't want anyone to suffer Judas' fate. Then, we need to pay attention to those who are faithful. How great is it to have guys like Matthias and Joseph who have been faithful despite getting no attention? That's an example for us to emulate.
Leadership Brings Unity
The last thing I think this text teaches us is that we need leadership to find unity. Peter is such a neat example for us. Back in the gospels, Jesus told his disciples to go to Galilee. He said he would meet them there. But in John 21, seven of them were devoting themselves to fishing, not prayer. Jesus finds them there, gives them 153 large fish in their nets, and asks Peter, "Do you love me" three times. After Peter answers yes, Jesus tells him, "Feed my sheep." Jesus wanted Peter to step up and lead. He wanted him to take care of the disciples and feed them. One has to wonder after that event if Peter got his message. This event in Acts shows us that Peter got the message.
A devoted and humble leader provides the first step toward unity. Peter no longer seeks to be the greatest, nor is he leading the disciples to catch fish. He is leading them to recognize Matthias and to devote themselves to prayer. The other disciples followed Peter in that. Jesus has taught them about the kingdom for 40 days, and now we can be sure that they are taking what he told them very seriously because "with one accord they were devoting themselves to prayer." A unity is created under Peter's example.
How much unity would be created if we had leaders who focus on other people? We need leaders who are focused on feeding Jesus' sheep. They are focused on the will of God and leading others as Jesus leads us. When we have elders in this congregation who live to feed the sheep, let's rally around them and work in harmony. Let them bring a form of unity and one-mindedness devoted to prayer and the work of the Lord.
Conclusion
This short story is about the disciples waiting for the promised blessing, but it is an excellent lesson on unity. Let's be working together with submissive hearts and a single mind. If there is any unfinished business, let's wrap it up. We, too, are waiting on the Lord's return. But, in the meantime, let's work together in harmony to glorify his name. If you are a leader, step up and lead. Feed the flock and help us move toward unity.