“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (v14).  These 120 followers of Jesus were a mixed group of “apostles” (the eleven close disciples of Jesus), Jesus’ relatives, and other believing men and women. They felt it was important to replace Judas so that the number of apostles would be again be 12, symbolically representing the 12 tribes of Israel (v26).  This diverse group was the nucleus of the new family of God.

Jesus the Messiah had fulfilled God’s promises and was creating a new people without priest or temple, people of the Spirit, empowered to approach the Father directly in Jesus’ name.