等候期間
使徒行傳一章15至26節
15那時，有許多人聚會，約有一百二十名，彼得就在弟兄中間站起來，說：
16弟兄們！聖靈藉大衛的口，在聖經上預言領人捉拿耶穌的猶大，這話是必須應驗的。
17他本來列在我們數中，並且在使徒的職任上得了一分。
18這人用他作惡的工價買了一塊田，以後身子仆倒，肚腹崩裂，腸子都流出來。
19住在耶路撒冷的眾人都知道這事，所以按著他們那裡的話給那塊田起名叫亞革大馬，就是血田的意思。
20因為詩篇上寫著，說：願他的住處變為荒場，無人在內居住；又說：願別人得他的職分。
21所以，主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候，
22就是從約翰施洗起，直到主離開我們被接上升的日子為止，必須從那常與我們作伴的人中立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。
23於是選舉兩個人，就是那叫作巴撒巴，又稱呼猶士都的約瑟，和馬提亞。
24眾人就禱告說：主阿，你知道萬人的心，求你從這兩個人中，指明你所揀選的是誰，叫他得這使徒的位分。這位分猶大已經丟棄，往自己的地方去了。
25a-26於是眾人為他們搖籤，搖出馬提亞來；他就和十一個使徒同列。
信息分享
門徒目睹基督升天這一幕不可思議的景象之後，便由橄欖山回到耶路撒冷。如今，他們該做些甚麼呢？基督已囑咐他們去完成一項使命，同時又吩咐他們要先等候聖靈，可是，卻沒有明確說出聖靈降臨的時間。
首先留意門徒留在哪裡。基督吩咐他們不要離開耶路撒冷(一4)。若不是聽見基督這樣吩咐，恐怕門徒第一件會做的事，就是離開耶路撒冷，不是回到加利利的老家，就是去到其他地方謀生了。
然而，他們聽從基督的吩咐，繼續留在耶路撒冷。這是以色列的宗教中心，可是，他們留在那裡，卻不是為了這個原因。基督在生的時候，已屢次告訴門徒聖靈會降臨(參約十四、十五和十六章)。到祂升天之前，祂又再次囑咐他們必須等候聖靈的降臨，然後他們才有能力去事奉祂。
好了，在等候期間，他們該做些甚麼呢？就在教會開始之前，他們用了十天時間同心禱告。這是等候的時間，但同時也是充滿期待的時間。他們在這期間，彼此之間有美好的相交；在交談間，覺得有必要另選一人來取代猶大的位置。在決定人選的過程中，他們做了他們當作的一切事情，接著便將結果交在主的手中。
這班門徒便變成了教會的骨幹份子。他們為我們留下了順服、禱告、忍耐，和願意與主同行的美好榜樣。試想我們本身的教會，她又留下甚麼榜樣呢？
THE WAITING PERIOD
Acts 1:15-26
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.
19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
‘Let his dwelling place be desolate,
And let no one live in it’;
and,‘Let another take his office.’
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Message
The disciples had returned from the Mount of Olives after witnessing one of the most remarkable happenings-the ascension of Christ. Now what should they do? Christ had given them certain instructions but does not seem to have set a date for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Notice first of all where the disciples stayed. Christ said (v. 4) 'Don't leave Jerusalem'. Left to themselves this is what they probably would have done. Some would have gone back to their homes in Galilee. Others would have gone elsewhere.
But they obeyed Christ and stayed together in Jerusalem. This was the spiritual centre of Israel but that was not the real reason they should remain there. Christ had repeatedly told the disciples (see John 14, 15 and 16) that the Holy Spirit would come. Now Christ has told them that they must wait for the Holy Spirit's coming. Then they would have the power they needed for serving their Lord.
How did they spend the waiting time? At the beginning of the church, they spent ten days in prayer. It was waiting time but a time of expectation too. They had wonderful fellowship and as they talked together, they felt led to replace Judas. In doing this they went as far as they could, then left the final decision with the Lord.
This group of disciples became the foundation members of the church. They have left us a wonderful example of obedience, of prayer, of patience, and of willingness to walk with the Lord. Think about your church today. What kind of example are you leaving behind?