Atos 1:21

21 É necessário, pois, que dos varões que conviveram conosco todo o tempo em que o Senhor Jesus andou entre nós,

Atos 1:21 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 1:21

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us
Seeing there was such an imprecation, which carried in it the nature of a prophecy, that another should take the bishopric of Judas, or be made an apostle in his room, it was absolutely necessary that one should be immediately chosen to that office; and this is the force of the illative particle, wherefore; and it was highly proper that this choice should be of one among the men, and not the women; whom it did not become to bear any office, and exercise any authority in the church; hence it is said, "of these men", to the exclusion of women: and it was exceeding right, and a very good notion, that the choice should be of one from among themselves, and who was known unto them; with whose abilities, integrity, wisdom, and holy conversation, they were acquainted: and therefore it is added, "which have companied with us"; one of our own company, and not a stranger; with whom we have familiarly conversed, and whose character is well known to us: a rule which ought to be attended to, in the choice of inferior officers, as pastors and deacons; who ought to be of the body and community, among whom they are chosen to an office; and their qualifications for it be well known, and that for some time past, as follows:

all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us;
that is, ever since Christ called them to be his disciples and followers; and conversed with them, and discharged his office among them, governed, directed, taught, and instructed them; for it was not proper that a novice, a new plant, or one that was lately become a disciple, should be put into such an office; and the same holds good in proportion in other offices; men called to office should be of some standing, as well as of superior gifts.

Atos 1:21 In-Context

19 E tornou-se isto conhecido de todos os habitantes de Jerusalém; de maneira que na própria língua deles esse campo se chama Acéldama, isto é, Campo de Sangue.)

20 Porquanto no livro dos Salmos está escrito: Fique deserta a sua habitação, e não haja quem nela habite; e: Tome outro o seu ministério.

21 É necessário, pois, que dos varões que conviveram conosco todo o tempo em que o Senhor Jesus andou entre nós,

22 começando desde o batismo de João até o dia em que dentre nós foi levado para cima, um deles se torne testemunha conosco da sua ressurreição.

23 E apresentaram dois: José, chamado Barsabás, que tinha por sobrenome o Justo, e Matias.