SOME LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ACTS 4

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: Chapter 1—PROCEDURE FOR THE REPLACEMENT

20 “FOR IT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS 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."
Acts 1:20–26 (NKJV)

• The Disciples or Apostles were not sentimental, as said earlier, but they prayed and asked for God's leading or guidance on whoever to choose:
24 AND THEY PRAYED AND SAID, “YOU, LORD, WHO KNOW THE HEARTS OF ALL, SHOW WHICH ONE OF THESE TWO YOU HAVE CHOSEN 25 TO TAKE THE PLACE IN THIS MINISTRY AND APOSTLESHIP FROM WHICH JUDAS TURNED ASIDE TO GO TO HIS OWN PLACE.” 26 AND THEY CAST LOTS FOR THEM, AND THE LOT FELL ON MATTHIAS, AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE ELEVEN APOSTLES" (Acts 1:24-26 ESV).

• Casting of lots is not a New testament pattern or principle. The Apostles did this because they were still under the old testament, though Jesus had paid the price for the salvation of mankind, but the Holy Spirit had not been given or sent.
• They never did use this pattern again after they had received the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
• Note:
  a. A novice should not be chosen for the ministry work or assignment: "THE LEADER MUST NOT BE A NEW BELIEVER. IF HE IS, HE MIGHT BECOME PROUD. THEN HE WOULD BE JUDGED JUST LIKE THE DEVIL" (1 Timothy 3:6 New International Reader's Version).
  b. Before you appoint someone into any leadership position, you would have to pray and allow God to choose the persons He had ordained or purposed and prepared to do the work.
• Jesus Christ chose His twelve Disciples, later known as the Apostles, after a night long of prayers (Luke 6:12,13). This shows how important prayer is, to Christ Jesus, in His earthly Ministry.

• The reasons why you should pray before you appoint anyone to the leadership position—ministry work.
a. It is only God Who knows the hidden things, the heart of every person, including that of those you intend to appoint; thus, prayer is of utmost importance (Acts 1:24).
b. God would have had in mind or planned those whom He wanted to work with you, those He had trained through the Holy Spirit for the assignment, since He is the Owner of the work; thus, prayer is needed to discover such people.
c. If you did allow God to choose for you, those who are to work with you; you would be delivered or saved from unnecessary problems. Howbeit, there is no perfect person, God would have had His prepared and right candidates whom He would want you to consider; hence, there is a need to ask Him in prayers.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
• Whatever is not of God in your system that is working against your wellness and good health, such is rebuked and completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!