Neville Goddard on Acts 1:21-26 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Acts 1 in context

Scripture Focus

21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Acts 1:21-26

Biblical Context

Peter and the eleven seek a replacement for Judas, selecting Matthias after prayer and casting lots, ensuring continuity of their witness from Jesus' baptism to the Ascension.

Neville's Inner Vision

Consider the twelve as a symbolic you, seeking to restore continuity after a fall from your former self. Judas’ exit calls forth a fresh act of witnessing: two candidates stand within you—the old pattern and a new quality ready to testify to life. The prayer to God who knows the hearts is your inward listening, not to external chance but to the inner faculty that knows what you will become. The lot where they cast lots becomes your decision to honor a definite witness: you are choosing the aspect of your consciousness that shall stand in for the resurrection you seek. Matthias is the quality you choose to awaken; his number joining the eleven is your own creative unity, the inward tally that you are now complete in a new service. The movement from baptism to ascension mirrors your inward cycle: birth, rising, and ascent of a state of consciousness. This is not about history; it is about your present feel and assent to a new inner witness whose appearance you authorize within you.

Practice This Now

Imaginative_act: Sit in quiet contemplation, see two inner figures—an old pattern and a new witness—and declare the new one chosen; feel it real by affirming, 'I am the witness chosen now' until the sense of authority fills your being.