COMMENTARY

Epistle: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
The church is living between Jesus' departure and the coming of the Spirit. The time has come to fill the vacancy caused by Judas' suicide. The one to be chosen as a replacement is to be one who shared the experience with Jesus from the time of his baptism to his ascension and one who can witness to the resurrection. Two men met the qualifications: Joseph and Matthias. God and not the church elected Matthias. The church merely asked the ascended Lord which of the two he had chosen. After prayer, Matthias was chosen to be one of the apostles. The church's leadership ranks were now filled and ready for the Spirit's coming.

Epistle: 1 John 5:9-15
Shall we or shall we not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the very Son of God who died for our sins and …