The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 24 February 2026 – The Election Of Matthias
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TOPIC: The Election Of Matthias
READ: Acts 1:15-26 (NKJV)
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the [a]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 [b]wags of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his [c]entrails gushed out.
19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language,
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:‘Let his dwelling place be [d]isolated,
And let no one live in it’;and ‘Let another take his [e]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.
THE MESSAGE:
At the gathering of about 120 disciples, Peter stood up and addressed those present concerning the fulfilment of the prophecy through David, concerning the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, a member of Jesus’ ministry. Since Judas had died, there was a need to replace him. Peter anchored his stand on Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 10:8, that another should take his office. He therefore expressed the need to get one of the men who had been with them while Jesus was with them up to the time of His resurrection, as a replacement for Judas. Joseph and Matthias were nominated to fill the vacancy. After they prayed and cast their votes, Matthias was elected and became one of the 12 apostles.
Here, we find an example of a free and fair election without rigging. Election rigging is common in some countries but that should not be allowed in the Church or in Christendom.
Although Joseph and Matthias were duly qualified for the vacant post, a free, fair, and transparent election was conducted under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This led to the emergence of Matthias. Do you support free, fair, and transparent elections or do you participate in rigging? Repent today!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help me to support free and fair elections in the church and society: Amen.
