Who can you send part 2? (Dr Folu Olatona)
The scripture is written for our example. We should consider the processes the early Apostles used to replace Judas Iscariot in choosing leaders in the body of Christ. Christian leaders should not take the laws into their hands and choose anyone they like. They should pray seriously, use common sense to choose men of good/honest report, filled with the Holy Spirit, who had been with them from the inception of the ministry and consistent. They should also allow the people of God that they are leading to contribute somewhat.
When the Apostles wanted to replace Judas, they said. ‘Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, “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. And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen “to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:21-26)
Judging from the above Bible passage;
1. Spiritual offices should be occupied by spiritual people who have been in the journey for some time not novices.
2. The people of God must pray seriously about such decisions because God is the only one who knows the hearts of all men. One person cannot just assume that a particular protégé is the best.
3. It is important to involve some representatives of the people being led in making the choice of spiritual leaders. The Apostles involved several disciples in the choice. One hundred and twenty people gathered in the upper room where the decision was made to choose Mathias. Moreover, the Apostles involved the disciples again in choosing the deacons.
Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6: 2-7)
Jesus did not have to go through this process to choose the original Apostles, because He is God, He is perfect, can never make a mistake, and knew the hearts of all men. No one could question him. Moreover, when He was started his ministry and chose His disciples, He was the only stakeholder with the Godhead backing Him up. But in our days, any spiritual assignment we are involved in now, is likely to involve other stakeholders, therefore we should involve representatives of the people prayerfully.
Be careful how you choose leaders, so that it leads to the spread of the word of God and multiplication of the disciples.