Definition: And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 1:23. It's a really important part of the story of early Christianity! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, God is setting two men to be key leaders in the early church – specifically, in the communities that started growing up around Jerusalem. Let’s unpack it further: “And they appointed…” This means God chose these two people. “…two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus…” This describes the first man. “Joseph” is a name meaning "God is gracious," and “Barsabas” means “son of Moses.” He’s given the name “Justus,” which means “just” or “righteous.” “…and Matthias.” This describes the second man. "Matthias" means "repeated" or "like a mirror." So, what’s the big idea? These two men were chosen to be leaders – specifically, to fill roles in the church community. They weren't just random people; God chose them because he wanted to build a strong and trustworthy group of believers. Why is this significant? This verse tells us that God’s plan for the early church was to have two men who would be involved in leading and supporting the spread of the Christian faith. It's a foundational moment in history – it shows how God started building his community! In short, this verse highlights God’s purposeful selection of leaders within the nascent Christian movement. Do you want me to explain anything else about this passage or perhaps delve into why it's important?