This verse from Acts 1:21 is part of Peter's speech to the assembled believers in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension. They're trying to choose a replacement for Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Let's break down what the verse means:
"Of the men therefore who have accompanied us": This sets the criteria for who is eligible to be considered as a replacement apostle. The person must have been a follower of Jesus from the beginning.
"all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us": This specifies the timeframe of their association with Jesus. "Went in and out among us" is a common phrase to indicate a person's public ministry and daily life; it signifies their consistent presence and interaction within the group of disciples. It essentially means "during Jesus's entire ministry among us."
Therefore, the whole verse (Acts 1:21) means:
"We need to select someone from among those men who have been with us consistently throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus lived and ministered among us."
In simpler terms:
"We need to choose someone who was a dedicated follower of Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry until the present time."
Importance in context:
This verse highlights the importance of firsthand experience and sustained commitment as qualifications for apostleship. The replacement apostle needed to be someone who had witnessed Jesus's ministry, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Their testimony would carry weight because they had been a constant companion and observer. They needed someone with the authority to testify about Jesus.
This verse from Acts 1:21 is part of Peter's speech to the assembled believers in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension. They're trying to choose a replacement for Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Let's break down what the verse means:
"Of the men therefore who have accompanied us": This sets the criteria for who is eligible to be considered as a replacement apostle. The person must have been a follower of Jesus from the beginning.
"all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us": This specifies the timeframe of their association with Jesus. "Went in and out among us" is a common phrase to indicate a person's public ministry and daily life; it signifies their consistent presence and interaction within the group of disciples. It essentially means "during Jesus's entire ministry among us."
Therefore, the whole verse (Acts 1:21) means:
"We need to select someone from among those men who have been with us consistently throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus lived and ministered among us."
In simpler terms:
"We need to choose someone who was a dedicated follower of Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry until the present time."
Importance in context:
This verse highlights the importance of firsthand experience and sustained commitment as qualifications for apostleship. The replacement apostle needed to be someone who had witnessed Jesus's ministry, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Their testimony would carry weight because they had been a constant companion and observer. They needed someone with the authority to testify about Jesus.
