Acts & The Life of Paul | Lecture 3 : BC302-Acts-20260817

This call is now being recorded. This call is now taking notes. >> Hey, good morning. Good morning. Hope you had a good weekend. >> Yes. >> How was church on Sunday? Good. Great. So, let's pray we'll cover the class as well as the week ahead into God's hands. Would anyone from here want to lead in prayer? >> Almighty Father, thank you, Jesus, for this morning. We thank you, Father, for this wonderful new day, oh Lord, that you have given us. Lord, as we study your word, oh Lord, help us to understand you as the mind of our mind and your word and your word that we study And Lord, as we study your word, oh Lord, keep it in our hearts, oh Lord. And help us, oh Lord, to use them in the right time, oh Lord. Lord, let us get your word, oh Lord, not be long with our great speech, but our own conversation and things get solved along with us, oh Lord, Father. In such a way, Lord, you bring us near to what you have brought us, yeah. And light our hearts, oh Lord, so that we will show more of your word in our hearts. All glory and honor to Jesus in Jesus' name. >> Amen. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. So, let's get back to our learning from the book of Acts. And in the last class, we had a round of introduction. And then we had um we went through Acts chapter 1. And I've been using the notes which are available in uh the sermon notes on the apcw.org resources. Uh however, there are additional thoughts that I will include based on some of the uh study from commentaries. So, we'll recap what we learned in the last class. Uh could anyone tell me who wrote the book of Acts? >> Luke the doctor. >> Okay, what is the specialty about Luke? What What does he What was his profession? He's a doctor or a physician. So, what can we expect in the kind of writing that he presents? You can just share from your understanding. >> He uses medical terms. >> Medical terms, okay. Um but Yes? >> Poetic. >> Not exactly. The book of Acts may not necessarily be poetic because if you compare it with Psalms, there's a big difference. It doesn't uh really come in the category of poetry. It's a narration, right? So, we can say that it was written in detail. Well thought out, well analyzed because as a physician, he was a person who was looking for details. Right? So, we can trust uh the details that he presents. Okay. So, when exactly was the book of uh uh Acts written? I think I didn't mention this in the last class. Yeah, so 33 to 70 AD is the duration when the events took place. When was the book of Acts written by Luke? >> When Jesus and after that he stopped it. >> Okay. Okay. So, why was the book of Acts written? >> Luke and his disciples. >> To bring power and >> Okay. To capture the work of the Holy Spirit. To release the power of God, transformation. Okay, but why did Luke write it? >> I think Luke is continuing continuing from the first book which he wrote now. >> Yes. >> From there actually here he wrote about Jesus everything here he's writing about >> High priest. Yeah. >> So, this is an actual continuation of the Luke book himself. He named it by his name. Now, he's continuing as Jesus ministry over here where he we will be able to see Jesus resurrection and the Apostle Paul. >> True. True. So, we know that when he wrote in verse one itself it says of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. So, do is during his lifetime, during his period of resurrection and also you know, the time that he spent before ascension along with the disciples. So, he's recording all that, but you have more than that. You have more than the life of Jesus in uh the book of Acts. So, why was the book of Acts written? I've already discussed all these things last class. >> Um it's to show the early church believed their doctrinal truths um about Jesus being the Messiah. >> Yes. Yes. Okay. Um so, he's presenting the truth of Jesus being the Messiah. All right, yeah, thank you Sonia. Uh, but before I go further, how about the online students? Are you finding my voice okay, or is there some problem? I see all your messages. Is it better now? >> No, it's clear. >> It's clear. Okay, great, great, wonderful. So, do you all recall we said that it could also have been written as a uh defense? For Paul, because he underwent trial. So, very quickly, the uh events that are recorded shift to the life of Paul in much detail. His trial and the fact that there was nothing illegal that Paul did. So, it could have also been a way of defending Paul. So, these are all the reasons why the book of Luke was written. So, we said from 33 AD to roughly 70 AD. So, when was it written? The the duration is what we mentioned right now, but when was the book actually written? I didn't mention it last class. So, any guesses? Okay, let me tell you since I haven't mentioned it. People uh believe that somewhere around 60 to 62 AD is when the book of Acts was written. So, at this time Paul could have been alive, but also there are others who say that maybe it was written after 70 AD, between 70 to 90 AD. So, what happens is historians come up with certain dates. They are not able to state it very definitely. That's why you'll have one school of thought and then you'll have another school of thought. So, roughly this is the duration or the point when the book of Acts was written, 60 to 62 AD. That's one uh school of thought. The other one is between 70 to 90 AD. But, the beauty is for us to recognize that it was written almost immediately. So, you remember in apologetics we learned about the time gap. Like, the the longer the gap between the incident and the writing, we can assume mistakes. But, this was written almost immediately. And it was used used by the early church and passed on by the early church, which also tells us that it is very accurate. Because if there there were problems, it would have been flagged immediately. But, they carried on with the writing of the book of Acts. So, this is when it was written. Now, let's go to Acts chapter 1 and let us examine a few things. I know we discussed last class, but I left out uh details because I wanted to finish chapter 1 in the second session. So, let's go back to Acts chapter 1. So, what are some things we saw happen here? >> Disciples gathered in upper room and eats. >> Yes, disciples gathered in upper room. But, before that, what happens? >> Jesus' ascension. >> The ascension of Jesus. So, we are actually talking about the resurrected Christ ministering to the disciples. So, he was still talking. What was he talking? What was he teaching? >> In the law. >> Everything is there. Oh, very good. Who said that? Kingdom of God. So, he was talking about the kingdom of God. So, we see this in verse three. Uh during the 40 days and speaking the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Was Jesus preaching about the kingdom of God before his death, burial, and resurrection? Yes, very much. Now, imagine after we uh have died, resurrected, we have very short time, and we know that we have to go back to heaven, right? That was the uh state of mind of Jesus. In those few days, what would you want to tell the disciples? What would be the the level of importance of those teachings that you present to them in the remaining days? High, isn't it? Because you have only a short time, and you're going up to heaven. So, Jesus has chosen to speak about the kingdom of God, the teaching about the kingdom of God. Uh so, it was very important for Jesus to clarify many things about the rule, reign, uh the culture, the values. We've studied all these things of the kingdom of God. So, he's continuing to speak to the disciples and build them up about the kingdom of God. You know, what a powerful theme. If you go back to the life of Jesus, you will see the theme repeated many times. He talks about it. Now also, he's talking about it because it is important for the believers to know. So, there are people who come up with concepts to say, "We really don't know what Jesus spoke. It was all too mysterious. We can't find out." That's not true. The Bible is telling us the themes that he touched on. He would have touched on others also, but the importance was about the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. So, how many people saw him? Or or you know, like we would say, was it a was it a historical a historical not incident, but reality that Jesus was resurrected and he met with people? Yeah? Is it a story? Is it a mythology? Is it a reality? >> Yes. It's historical. >> That Jesus really rose from the dead. And so, in verse three, as you can see here, it says he presented himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs. So, in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, we have uh scriptures that talk about the resurrection of Jesus and uh the fact that at least 500 people witnessed the resurrected Christ. So, the Bible is quite clear that this is not a mythology or a story. Many infallible witnesses. He gave uh evidence that he was truly alive. Can you tell me any one miracle that Jesus did after his resurrection? Anyone? Anyone? It's just got it. So, when Peter did not catch fish all night long, he worked and he didn't get anything. Then Jesus tells them to put the nets on the other side. When he puts it, he gets a uh net-breaking catch. Which is a supernatural increase. And what does Peter do? Immediately he knows, my Lord, and you know, like this is Jesus, it has to be Jesus. So, this is one of the miracles that we know of him doing even after the resurrection. So, did Jesus change? Not really. Still doing miracles. Still ministering to people. Still spending time with the disciples. Was he? Yeah, so if we read of that incident when he is actually cooking fish at the seashore. Imagine, you know, if we you and I were having breakfast with Jesus and he's making fish for us by the seashore. That fellowship is still there. That that bond is still there and, you know, that love, that communication. But this is who resurrected Christ. But he he knows that it's important for him to be with the disciples. So, he's spending time with them. And one thing he told them was about kingdom of God. The other thing Any other thing he's speaking to them in this chapter, chapter one? You can keep looking at your Bible. There's a lot. We can sit here with Acts chapter one this whole course today, but we won't do that. >> Baptism >> Promise of the Holy >> Promise of the Holy Spirit, that's true. So, that's the other thing that he is telling the disciples and he is telling them of the importance of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. So, we can see here in verse four, there is a reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit as the promise of the Father. When he says, "But to wait for the promise of the Father." So, that promise of the Father is what? Holy Spirit baptism. How do we decide on that or how do we establish it? Because in the following scriptures he's talking about baptism in the Holy Spirit, right? So, whenever we hear the phrase "promise of the Father", what does it stand for? Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Okay, so we are clear on that. Now, verse five. He is making a distinction between the baptism of John. He says, "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So, then are believers who say, "When we have already received water baptism, why are we talking about another baptism?" Can you see? Yeah, it's definitely another baptism. John's baptism contrasting with another baptism. So, John's baptism is baptism of repentance with water. What is the baptism of uh the the other one? Holy Spirit baptism. Right? Okay, so uh we move on. Jesus is telling them you're going to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Has it happened till now, baptism in the Holy Spirit? Yes or no? >> Yes. >> Okay, then why is Jesus asking them to wait? >> Once Jesus ascends up into heaven, then only the Holy Spirit >> Yes, so he's saying "Wait because it is going to happen for the first time." And obviously it is going to happen once he ascends is into heaven. Right? So, he's telling them, "You wait for the promise of the Father." And he also says, "You have heard from me." Did Jesus ever speak about baptism in the Holy Spirit, work of the Spirit through the believer? Do you remember any scriptures? Okay, Nicodemus, John 3, where he talks about It's actually about being born again. We we don't see where the wind comes from, but basically he's saying uh the work of being born again is also work of the Holy Spirit. So, it's about being born again. I'm asking, is there any teaching from the uh life of Jesus which talks about baptism in the Holy Spirit earlier? >> He said Jesus says like, "I will send the helper." >> Yes, okay, I will send the helper. Uh but it's not necessarily baptism. Yeah, he sent the helper. That is a ministry of the Holy Spirit to guide us, lead us, and all. Uh but more specific to baptism, work of the Spirit. >> In John 20. >> John 20, okay. >> Holy Spirit. >> Yes, the place where he says uh uh he breathes on them. Is that the one? Sonia, from >> Yes, yes, that's the one. >> Ah, correct. >> He breathes on them. >> Yes. So, Jesus breathes on them. That event is what? What do you think it is? Receive you the Holy Spirit. >> Receive you the Holy Spirit, right? >> Yeah, I'm the Holy Spirit, then why is he saying wait? When he's already given it to them. >> Uh in pouring. So, the indwelling Holy Spirit. You believe that or not? Like that's the for the outpouring. When we receive Holy Spirit in us. >> How? >> Uh so, it's a indwelling Holy Spirit >> Yes. So, we have to understand there are two separate experiences. One experience where the Holy Spirit comes to live inside the believer. That is what John 3, Jesus speaking to Nicodemus is about. John 20, thank you for that Sonia. Uh verse 22 is where we see that Jesus breathes on them and says receive ye the Holy Spirit. So, the experience that the believer the disciples had in John 20 is born again experience. Because technically they were not born again till that moment. Jesus had not yet died and gone to the cross. Then how can salvation come to the disciples? When Jesus was alive technically they were not saved. Because Jesus' uh work on the cross was not yet complete. Only after he finished, he said it is finished. He came back and he breathes on the disciples, receive the Holy Spirit. So, as Roger said, indwelling presence. From that point onwards, Holy Spirit has come to dwell within the believer. So, we all know that when we are born again, Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians chapter 6. So, John 20 is the born-again experience. From this point, they are born again. And to the born-again disciples, Jesus is saying, "Wait for the promise of the Father." So, he's talking about a different experience. And he's also saying, "John baptized with water, but not many days from now, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Meaning, it's a different baptism. So, let's continue. Now, in that same passage, we see when Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit, what do the disciples ask him? We We talked about it last time. >> In the upper room, is there >> Yes, "When will you restore the kingdom?" That is the question of the disciples in verse 6. They're asking, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And what did he say about this question? >> It is not for you to know >> Correct. So, Jesus answers them and says, "It is not for you to know." So, there are things that God wants us to focus on, but sometimes we are distracted. God is speaking to us at another wavelength, but we are going to him at a lower wavelength. I'm just simply saying wavelength, okay? Don't use these words. Sounds very new age. But the the point is we are not uh thinking the way God is thinking. His thoughts are much higher. So, disciples are asking disconnected question. When he's saying about kingdom of God, Holy Spirit baptism, suddenly, don't know who that person was, right? Sometimes you're like, who could it have been? Was it Peter? Was it John? Was it Andrew? We don't know. But they're asking, "Will you restore the kingdom to Israel?" And Jesus has to stop them. He says, "It's not for you to know." And these matters, you don't worry about it. Because these these things will be taken care of by God. And he wants them to come back to thinking about the Holy Spirit. So, in verse seven, he's actually cutting them off. He says, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in his own authority." So, you see the exact timings of you could say in a way end time events, return of Jesus, the specifics we don't know. We know what's going to happen like overall, but exact time, when is Jesus going to come back? You don't know. And Jesus is saying here, "These times are for the Father to know." So, there are certain timings which the Father knows. Only he knows. And we just go by that. We cannot come to know all the details of you know, the specific timings. So, he's talking about the Holy Spirit and they're cutting him with some other question. He brings them back to the point. He says, "Okay, forget about this. It's not for you to know. These are things that only the Father knows." And then, verse eight, very powerful scripture, we all know it. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." So, remember I said two distinct experiences? One is being born again, receiving the Holy Spirit, John 20. Second experience, you shall receive power from on high when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. So, many times we use words like within, upon. Born again experience, Holy Spirit is coming within the believer. But Holy Spirit baptism, what is happening? Yeah. Holy Spirit is coming upon the believer. So, when Holy Spirit comes within the believer, what is the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Guidance. Yes. Equip. Okay, equip. Mainly in terms of leading the believer. Yeah, so that's what happens. But when Holy Spirit comes upon What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Yes, so right here we have that. What will happen? You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. What is that word power here? Dunamis, correct. So, dunamis is the you can say the supernatural mighty power of God. So, you and I as believers, we are going to receive the mighty power of God. Dunamis. No wonder Jesus is saying, "Wait. Don't be in a hurry. I know you want to go change the whole world, but how about you do it with the power of the Holy Spirit. Dunamis." And when will Dunamis come? When the >> When the Holy Spirit >> Holy Spirit has come upon us. See, in Matthew 28, we read about the Great Commission. "Go into all the world, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." So, we want to fulfill the Great Commission. Do you think the disciples were excited to fulfill the Great Commission? Very excited. They are ready to go because now Jesus is risen from the dead. So, they are so excited. But, what is Jesus telling them? For what? Holy Spirit baptism. Because you shall receive Dunamis. When the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And what will that Dunamis also do to us? You shall be my witnesses. Remember last time we discussed what witness stands for? Yeah, martus. It's come It comes from the Greek word martus, which means uh like uh dying for a cause. Right? But, here we are not talking about physical death. It's a it's a concept of committing ourselves fully, consecrating ourselves fully. So that when people see us, they know that we are dedicated to Christ. Witness for Jesus Christ. Now, I know of some aunties and also, you know, my own grandma, once she accepted Christ, sharing Jesus with everyone there, like the milkman. Those days you'll have people coming to the house to give each vegetable, maybe lemon, So, it's very strange, like after she passed away, the those people would come back and they would just ask, "Where is Christian aunty?" You're like, "What? Who is Who Christian aunty?" But, you think about it, right? Sharing Jesus with whatever capacity the person has, to the point where they are only sitting and at home, but they are a witness to every person who's coming and people are recognizing them as, you know, Christian. Witness to the world. Dedicated. Okay, this person committed to Christ. Their life is transformed because of Christ. They're living for Christ. They're serving Christ. They're preaching Christ. You see how devoted, how dedicated. And that's what the baptism in the Holy Spirit does to us. We will become witnesses, where others can see, "Hey, these people are praying. Miracles are happening. These people are preaching. I can hear God speaking to me. What is What is going on?" And you will see this Acts 1:8 throughout the book of Acts. You will see the disciples as well as many other new believers living as witnesses. Impact that that word impact, no? It's it's so real. People will come to know Christ because of their life, because of their ministry. And that is what Jesus said, "You will become a witness." How far will our witness be? >> Ends of the earth. >> Uh ends of the earth. So, we can see a progression there. It goes from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria to the ends of the earth. So, these disciples are very close to Jerusalem right now. They when Jesus ascends up into heaven, they will be in the Mount of Olives. And then we will see that they go to Jerusalem. So, Acts 2 when you see the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it's actually happening in Jerusalem. But the impact is not limited to Jerusalem. The impact goes to the ends of the earth. So, progression means circle after circle. There will be an impact. You will be my witness in Jerusalem. Judea is the region around Samaria is the next uh region. We'll read about all these places soon. And ends of the earth. So, you see how beautiful the power of the Holy Spirit is supposed to make us a witness in our home, in our neighborhood. It's all over. Sometimes people want to be witness to the ends of the earth, but they don't want to be witness in their own house. Is it possible that you live like that? No. When you put the light, if it is very bright here, it will reach farther away because it's so bright over here. It's firstly lighting up this house or this room. Then the light is going to maybe 100 m away or whatever. So, when you want the light to reach the far away, first it has to be bright here. That's what Jesus is saying. You will be my witness in Jerusalem. Wherever you are, and then every zone that is close by till the ends of the earth. So, the light that shines farthest must be bright right here. That is the impact that every believer should have. Can every believer have an impact? >> Yes. >> Does having an impact mean preaching from the pulpit? >> No. >> No, not at all. All of us have a call of God whether on the pulpit off the pulpit, but when we receive baptism in the Holy Spirit, we will be impactful witnesses where we are and beyond. And that is the promise of Jesus. So, are we understanding that these are two separate experiences, being born again and uh baptism in the Holy Spirit? Okay. So, now Jesus spoke about all these things, and then we see that he ascends up into heaven. So, as you're reading these things, no, you imagine. I know there's no movie. I can't play your movie, but in our mind, in our imagination, we can see. Okay, Jesus is talking to the believers, and he is now being taken up into heaven. So, how does it look? Here it says, "While they watched." So, they're still, you know, eye contact with Jesus, they're listening to Jesus, they're watching. "And he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight." So, he he went up probably, and one cloud came, and then he kind of disappeared from their view. So, what do you think the emotion of the disciples would have been by now? How must they be feeling? Just share, no right or wrong, I'm not going to Okay, if you were the disciple, how would you feel? >> Mhm? >> Sad. I feel sad. >> Sad. Okay. Why why would you feel sad? >> Because I like Jesus. He doesn't like me. >> He feels he's Peter. He loves Jesus, but now Jesus is not there physically in his in their midst. Yeah, they would have been sad. They even could have been confused. Because when Jesus underwent trial, they thought that you know, we thought this Jesus is going to get into government. Look at him, he's suffering now. Everyone ran away. But when he resurrected, they became bold. He's the Christ. He's Lord, he's Messiah. Now he'll do it, come on. You know, we'll see that he will become the uh the leader. So, in their minds, they're thinking all these things. That's why they're asking, "When will you restore the kingdom?" While they're just talking, Jesus is gone out of sight. So, they were still confused. God, what is going on? We thought Jesus will do all the work. And he told something about Holy Spirit, and he left the scene from here. So, they are wondering, looking up. Right? You We can only imagine that picture, that scene. They're lost like that. They've just seen him So, in verse 10, as they are seeing him, there are two men in white apparel. We said last time that they were angels. So, they came, and they're telling So, if we can again imagine, two men are going, tapping them. Hey, listen. What are you looking at? No, why are you looking up there? So, the angels are telling, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? The same Jesus, same Jesus. What is who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him going to heaven." So, the angels are giving them news that exactly how he went, and he got picked up by the clouds, the clouds will come one day, same the same Jesus will come back. Right? So, that's the hope we have. He's not left us in the sense of abandonment. No. He spoke to us of the power of the Holy Spirit and he has just taken his position for things to take place. And he will come back. So, the angels are giving hope to the disciples and say the same Jesus will come back. Now, there are a lot of people who confuse. They say, "We don't know where Jesus is now. You know, we don't know what Jesus is doing now." But, Bible is giving us clarity, isn't it? That he is in heaven right now. No? At the end of time, he's going to come back also. So, Bible gives us a lot of clarity on the things that are going to happen. So, let's not get confused. Let's not get caught up into wrong teachings that people bring about. Okay. So, now Jesus has ascended and disciples must be processing, "Okay, he'll come back. What like did he talk about kingdom of God? What was he saying about Holy Spirit?" But, only thing that came through strong is wait. Right? So, what do they do in the same passage? They go to Jerusalem from this mountain called as Mount Olivet. So, they go there. It's a Sabbath day's journey. Uh so, maybe like, you know, over a day they go, travel, and they come to Jerusalem. And then we see in verse 13, they're all in a place called as upper room. So, this place called as upper room, there are some commentaries that say it was not necessarily a room. It was not. Maybe it was it was a whole layout which was called as the upper room because we're talking about so many people in that place. So, it would have been um uh a place near the temple where disciples could come and stay, like a zone. So, they're all in the upper room. And over there, we see the list of all the disciples. Who's missing here? Judas, because he he was the one who had betrayed Jesus and he died. So, these disciples apostles are joined together and they are in the upper room. There, we also see verse 14, who else is there? >> Mother of Jesus. >> And brothers. >> And brothers, also. So, we remember last time I mentioned when Jesus was alive, brothers didn't believe. They in fact questioned. They told him so many things, "Why don't you go and become famous? Why are you hiding here?" So, we see the attitude of Jesus' brothers himself. They didn't believe that he's the Messiah. But now, do you think they are believers? 100% You see, there is something about the resurrection. Before the resurrection, disciples were not that confident. Brothers were not believing. Now, after resurrection, they all know this is the Messiah. Something so powerful about the resurrection that their whole mindset is changed. Brothers are also there. Because now they have accepted Jesus as the savior and Messiah. Mary's also there. So, you have the disciples. So far, we noted that brothers are there, mother is there. They're all in the upper room. And what are they doing? What are they doing? Verse 13, 14 or maybe Yeah, you just see what they are doing. Yes. So, they are It says, "continued with one accord in prayer and supplication." Oh, I forgot women also. There were some other women as well. Okay? So, this tells us that the people of God were taught by Jesus to lead a life of prayer. So, now they are a little bit confused. They are questioning a little bit like why Jesus went away. They're also obedient. They have to wait for the Holy Spirit. And what do they choose to do in this time? Prayer. Prayer supplication. So, we can clearly see that the people uh who were with Jesus practiced prayer like Jesus. That's the lifestyle. It's just part of their life. You know, we could have had anything else. We could have had that disciples went and they were discussing or disciples went and they were sleeping. We could have had any anything written by Luke. But what is Luke writing? He's saying, "As soon as Jesus ascended, they did what they did regularly." And that is prayer. They're all now gathered together. They're in prayer, but what kind of prayer it says? One accord. One accord is oneness of heart. One mess of purpose, oneness of intention. So, we all know and then two or three agree touching one thing, Jesus said, "I will do for you." So, the prayer of agreement the church seems to have learned it very well. So, till now we are not calling them church, just the people who had gathered together in the upper room. So, they were in agreement, one accord. That's why their prayer life was so strong. Now, when we pray and we are not in one accord, do you think such prayers will be heard? Unlikely, because there's no unity in the heart. So, this is a great feature of the people who were with Jesus that they knew how to pray, they knew how to pray in unity of heart. So, now they have come together and they are praying. And they are praying one accord. That's the beauty. Right? So, a powerful example for us, okay? They are such a praying people, we should also be like this whatever we are going through. And not just one person, many of them together. Now, at that point, uh Peter is providing leadership to the um people. So, he gets up and he talks about how they are only 11 and they need to choose the next person. So, what do they do? They cast lots and they find the 12th person. But how exactly do they lots? What is the description you are saying? What is the process that they apply? Cast lots is one thing, but anything else they do? Yeah, that is about Judas dying. So, if you come to verse 21 and 22, you can see Peter is saying "Of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us." So, basically, they are deciding from where we have to select the 12th person. Mind you, they are not selecting any new person. No. They are selecting somebody who has journeyed with Jesus. So, that person is well versed with the teachings and the life of Jesus. They want to select such a person. Because we all know, later also we will see in the book of Acts, testimony is important. Uh knowledge in God's word is important, right? And to be an apostle, experience is important in terms of ministry. So, they are not going and looking outside, "We want to select somebody." No. We want a person who qualifies. So, one among those who had accompanied Jesus for all these years. They want to select from that group. And uh yes. Verse 22 says again, "One of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." So, again, somebody with experience is what they are looking for. The second thing we see is verse 20 three, they are proposing two people. There is a Barsabas and a Matthias. So, that is the second thing they do. But, third thing, notice verse 24, they prayed and asked God, "Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show which of these two you have chosen." Then they are putting the lots and they get the answer. So, putting the lots here, don't assume that just chance that they selected Matthias. Till now, let's understand disciples don't have an idea, clear idea about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. That's why they are still doing lots. Right? But, whatever they are doing, they're doing it in faith and through prayer. That's when they select and they get Matthias. So, we can say they were led by God to select the 12th person. It was not chance. All right. Um yes, so now we have the 12th apostle as well. So, next session, let us start with Acts chapter two. If you have any questions, you can ask me in the chat. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. See you all in 10 minutes. Online students, you can please stay on the call. We will just stop the recording and we will be starting again.