( Acts 1:14 )These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

As we look at this verse; these people were truly excited and, anxiously awaiting something. I can see how their prayers were very sincere with great passion. The word ( supplication ) means ( the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

If you put yourself in that place at that time, what could it be like. Less than fifty days ago, the man you are trusting in was crucified. For the last forty days you have seen him alive and, even talked with him, now he is gone again. You are ( waiting ) but for what? In your prayer, what are you praying for? What are you humbly begging for? Consider, the same people that crucified Jesus Christ because of their distain for him; don’t like you either and, you have no idea what to expect. The power from on high hasn’t arrived yet, can you trust him?

Can you imagine; for ten days, remembering all that Jesus Christ has said unto you, trying to put it all together and understand what is in the future? At least they are in one accord, they are sticking together.

I’ve already spoken of the fact that they were expecting Jesus to establish his kingdom at that time. They were in ( one accord ) expecting that to happen. I want you to consider something here that we seldom think about and, many never even notice. What is the difference in the ( kingdom of heaven ) and the Kingdom of God )? In the ( King James ) Bible, the phrase ( kingdom of Heaven ) is only used in the gospels in the gospel of Matthew. We see it in the Old Testament and, also in the book of Revelation but, in no other gospel. Jesus Christ spoke of the ( Kingdom of God ) in all four gospels. He was making a distinction of two completely different places but, his apostles didn’t completely, if at all; understand that fact. Many people today still don’t see that fact.

Let me show you a verse of scripture: ( John 16:12-13 ) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now, ( 13 ) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you all things to come.

In ( Acts 1:14 ) that Spirit hasn’t come yet therefore, there is still some confusion and, that confusion will last for a while. It will however began to help them understand the difference in what they are waiting for.

I have written something explaining, in full the difference in the ( kingdom of heaven ) and ( the kingdom of God ). At some point I’ll try to put it on this site but, the short version is this. The ( Kingdom of heaven ) is a place, the nation of Israel will inherit it, right here on this earth, the whole earth will be their kingdom at some point. The people in the upper room were expecting it to happen in short measure, at that time. The ( Kingdom of God ) is where God lives. Would you agree, if you are born again, that’s right there in your heart, for one place? Jesus was teaching that concept of himself in the gospels but, the apostles and disciples could not grasp, as a rule what he was teaching.

It takes the spirit of God to reveal truth. One very strong reason that Jesus Christ, in the gospels and, as it continues in the first part of Acts was teaching the way he was is because of Israel, as a nation was deliberately blinded ( a vail over their spiritual eyes ) by God the Father. ( Romans 11:25 ) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

As we go through this, the whole study, there will be some very strong points made about the ( kingdom of God ) and the ( Kingdom of heaven ). Who is saved and, possibly, who is not. No one can say for sure but, still the points have to be made.

As we look back from this time, the time they were gathered in the upper room; it’s a lot we can learn about their mindset and why The Apostle Peter preached the message he preached. For instance, What was the message of ( John the Baptist )? I want you to notice these two scriptures: ( Matthew 3:1-2 ) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, ( 2 ) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. ( Matthew 4:17 ) From that time Jesus began to preach, and say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. When we see the word ( repent ) here. What were both, John the Baptist and, Jesus Christ asking the people to repent of? With this question and, as we go into ( Acts 2 ) we will see the difference in what is being said within that term.

The responsibility of John the Baptist was to prepare Israel for the coming birth and ministry of Jesus Christ. He was born around three months before Jesus Christ, we see that in ( Luke 1 ). John the Baptist preached a message of repentance. In the early ministry of Jesus Christ, he preached the very same message. The reason for that is that Jesus Christ, in every way, whether it was as Israel’s king or for salvation, it was always first offered to the Nation of Israel. I want you to remember ( the message of repentance ) here. As we move forward we will see that again. However, in this verse, the kingdom of heaven message is still fresh in their minds and, they truly believe that Jesus Christ is coming back to set up that kingdom in the very near future.

The Apostle Peter; seeing all this and, also seeing something that needed to be corrected, preached the message that he preached at that time. The Bible says that they were ( in one accord ) that day. I wonder about something here. If, they were truly in one accord, why did they pick two men to vote on? In ( one accord ) shouldn’t it be as simple as one man? There’s a point we need to see here. There is a difference in being ( in unity ) and ( uniform ). If we say ( we are in on accord ) then, what are we in on accord about? One of the greatest problems here and also; in many Churches is, who is actually doing the leading? In these verses we already know that it’s not the spirit of God don’t we? That being, because he ( the Spirit ) hasn’t been sent yet.

( I believe ) that all of the people on that day, in that room were in ( one accord ) as far as the return of Jesus Christ, nothing beyond that concept. If we look over in the epistles we can find this verse. ( Ephesians 4:13 ) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the pond of peace. ( I believe ) the people in the upper room did this, even without the spirit. They choose two men the lot fell on one of them and they moved on, no argument about who he was. However, I can also see the possibility that, in that room; some there doubted that the vote needed to take place, they simply didn’t argue about that fact.

Let’s put this in a Church setting. Each year most Churches pick new deacons and, Sunday School teachers. Anyone that desires to can present a candidate for any position. At some point a vote is made and no one argues about the outcome. So, does that mean the whole Church is in one accord? If so, one accord with what? do you see what I’m saying? We can be in one accord with the fact: ( let’s just move on ). Everything we just done can be wrong but, let’s move on to something else and get back to normal.

As we go through the book of Acts, you will see that it’s very few times that many people are in ( one accord ) with the spirit of God. In The Old Testament; God the Father spoke, very few listened. In the gospels; God the Son spoke; very few listened. Starting in the book of Acts; God the Spirit speaks; very few listen, even today.

I’m going to make another point here. is it possible here that when they cast lots, all the lots fell on Matthias? You would think not because there were two chosen. The point is that the Spirit of God is a divider. He ( the Spirit ) cause each of us to have to make a choice, to choose between one or the other. Sometimes the reason that choice is so easy is because the Spirit of God is not present, even in a local Church. Look at what Jesus says: ( Luke 12:51 ) Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.

Can you see a contrast there? Remember the verse: ( Luke 2:14 ) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. I shared with you that Jesus Christ was teaching them about the Kingdom of God; at the same time he was speaking of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Kingdom of Heaven there will be ( peace on earth, good will to man but, within the Kingdom of God, there will be division, even in our own flesh, a battle rages. Let me ask a question, right this minute, is the spirit of God within you in ( one accord ) with you own flesh? If so. how do you relate to those around you? Can that be a problem? In most cases, talking to most people, I can simply say ( I know I’m saved ) I know I’m going to heaven when I die ) and, that becomes a problem. Do you see what I’m saying?

There are many things more we might could say and relate to the verse in ( Acts 1 ). I’d say that these people had the best of intentions however, they just like us, have to wait on the spirit before we move. It’s all a learning process, in them as well as in each of us. You, as an individual can read, study and, go far beyond what I’ve done in this one chapter. But, I’m moving on to ( Acts: Chapter Two )