Can christians cast lot in this new testament

In the Old Testament, casting lots was a common practice used by God's people to make decisions, settle disputes, and even determine God's will (e.g., Joshua 7:14-18, 1 Samuel 10:20-21, Acts 1:26). However, in the New Testament, the practice of casting lots is not explicitly mentioned.

There are a few reasons why casting lots may not be mentioned in the New Testament:

  1. The Holy Spirit's guidance: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is often depicted as guiding believers in their decisions and actions (e.g., Acts 13:2-3, 16:6-7). This guidance may have replaced the need for casting lots.
  2. The authority of Scripture: The New Testament emphasizes the authority of Scripture as the ultimate guide for Christian living (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:25). Casting lots may not have been seen as necessary or relevant in light of this emphasis.
  3. The development of Christian community: The New Testament portrays the early Christian community as a body of believers who were guided by the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and the Holy Spirit. Casting lots may not have been a necessary practice in this context.

That being said, there are a few instances in the New Testament where the concept of casting lots is alluded to or used in a metaphorical sense:

  1. Acts 1:26: In this passage, the apostles cast lots to determine who would replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles. However, this is not a literal casting of lots, but rather a symbolic act to demonstrate the sovereignty of God in the selection process.
  2. Matthew 27:35: In this passage, the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing, symbolizing the rejection and abandonment of Jesus by humanity.

In summary, while casting lots is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, the concept is alluded to in a few instances, often in a metaphorical or symbolic sense. The emphasis in the New Testament is on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the authority of Scripture, and the development of Christian community, which may have reduced the need for casting lots as a decision-making practice.