Definition: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 1:26. It’s a really important moment in early Christian history! Here's what it means, explained simply: Basically, it says that after the first believers gathered together and started to worship God, they decided to split up into two groups. Let’s unpack it further: “And they gave forth their lots”: This is a bit of an old-fashioned way of saying “they left” or “they moved on.” It means they were leaving the place where they had been gathering. “and the lot fell upon Matthias”: This is the key part. "The lot" refers to a specific job or position. It's being given to Matthias, who was one of the original twelve apostles (people chosen to be leaders and helpers). “and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” This means that Matthias was selected to be a member of the group of twelve apostles. So, what’s the big picture? This verse tells us that the early church was starting to grow and organizing itself. They needed someone to help lead them in worship and ministry. By giving Matthias this job, they were essentially saying, "Let's let you be a part of our group." What’s it about? This verse is significant because it shows that the early Christians weren’t just looking for a leader; they were building a community. It highlights that God was working in their lives and setting up a system to help them grow together as believers. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss what this verse might mean in the context of early Christianity?