Acts 1:23-26 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.… The only instance of an appeal to lots occurs between the departure of our Lord and Pentecost. The Church could dispense with them after the coming of the Holy Ghost, who was to guide into all truth, through whom we are encouraged to hope for a right judgment in all things. No recourse was had to lots in the appointment of deacons. But the Church regards the appointment as Divine (collect for St. Matthias' day). Under the Old Testament lots were regarded as divinely directed (Proverbs 16:33), and therefore conclusive (Proverbs 18:18). They distinguished the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:8), convicted Achan, designated Saul to the monarchy, and distributed the promised land (Numbers 26:55, 56). Lots also assigned their several duties among the priests in the temple (1 Chronicles 24:5; 1 Chronicles 25:8; Luke 1:9). deemed it lawful to determine by lot what ministers of the Church should remain and who should seek safety by flight, when prosecution threatened. The in had recourse to lots for deciding the question of their having a ministry of their own, and in 1467 for the appointment of their first three ministers. As late as 1731, the retention of their own discipline instead of incorporation with the Lutheran Church, was determined in like manner. Wesley also had, and indulged, a predilection for sortilege. (Bp. Jacobson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.WEB: They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. |
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