Confident in God — Acts 1:15–20
Sep 17, 2026 18
Judas had been numbered among Jesus’ apostles. Now he was gone, having betrayed the Lord he had followed. How did the believers respond? Peter turned to Scripture, showing why they could remain confident in God.
Acts 1:15–20
[15] In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, [16] “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. [17] For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” [18] (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. [19] And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) [20] “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ (ESV)
The Scripture Had to Be Fulfilled
The Peter who had denied Jesus now stands among about 120 believers and speaks. His starting point is that Scripture had to be fulfilled.
Judas’ betrayal was tragic. It was evil. But it did not catch God off guard. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, and Peter explains what has happened by turning to the Psalms.
The first quotation speaks of desolation and judgment. The second calls for another to take Judas’ office. God’s word explains both the downfall of Judas and the need for someone to replace him.
These Psalms arose from the suffering of David and the hostility of his enemies. Peter reads them in the light of Jesus, the promised King. As David G. Peterson explains:
“Things said of David or of righteous sufferers more generally in the psalms were interpreted as having their ultimate fulfillment in the life of Jesus as Son of David and Servant-Messiah.” (Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 125).
That helps us understand the connection. The opposition experienced by David points forward to opposition against Jesus. Judas’ betrayal and replacement belong within the unfolding fulfilment of God’s word.
This moment is about God’s faithfulness. Even through the painful parts of the story, his purposes continue.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Confident in God and His Promises
The believers could be confident in God because he was keeping his word. The betrayal of one of the Twelve had not brought Jesus’ mission to an end.
Our confidence rests in the same promise-making, promise-keeping God. The biggest promises of the Old Testament find their fulfilment in Jesus: his perfect life, sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection.
As we take his good news to others, we can trust him. He has kept his promises in Christ, and we can depend on him for those still to be fulfilled when Christ returns.
The Good News is…
God’s saving purpose was being fulfilled even as Jesus was betrayed and went to the cross. Jesus died in our place for our sin and rose again, offering forgiveness and life to all who trust in him. His mission continues, and he keeps raising up people to carry that message forward. We can give ourselves to that ongoing mission, confident in God and his gospel.
Reflection
How does seeing God keep his word through the betrayal of Jesus strengthen your confidence in him as you take part in his mission?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited