These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- Birth of the church: Acts 1:1-14
- Holy Spirit…
- The full title of the book is – the Acts of the APOSTLES…
- But the book is about what the Holy SPIRIT did through the APOSTLES [sent out]
- The better title for the book might be – the Acts of the Holy SPIRIT…
- Acts was written to show us how important the SPIRIT is in our daily lives…
- That without God working in and through us – there is NOTHING to write about!
- Example…
- Acts records the first THIRTY years of the history of the CHURCH…
- From the birth of the CHURCH [Pentecost] – to the imprisonment of Paul…
- The example given becomes a PATTERN for how the CHURCH should work TODAY!
- Final Teaching…
- Jesus remained here on earth for FORTY days after His Crucifixion and Resurrection…
- His FINAL appearance to the DISCIPLES was on the Mount of Olives…
- The disciples had THREE years of living with – following – being taught by Jesus…
- But that is NOT enough – they were to WAIT for the promise of the Holy SPIRIT…
- Then they would be Jesus WITNESSES from Jerusalem – unto the whole world!
- One Accord…
- While Jesus had given this these final INSTRUCTIONS [wait]
- He was taken up [passive] from the Mount of Olives [flying]
- The ELEVEN disciples then returned to the Upper Room [first time in NT]
- Where they PRAYED – and were in ONE accord [ὁμοθυμαδόν]!
- Holy Spirit…
- 1st – End of Judas… vs. 15-19
- 1st – Standing up… vs. 15
- No more waiting…
- In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples!
- Jesus had ASCENDED up the heaven – the DISCIPLES were on their own…
- They had been given clear INSTRUCTIONS – they were to WAIT…
- Not that they had to WAIT for long – it would only take TEN days…
- The time between the ASCENSION of Jesus – and the day of PENTECOST…
- But one of the hardest things to do in life – is NOTHING…
- Therefore – Peter stood up to address the other DISCIPLES…
- This is FIRST time we see Peter begin to take a LEADERSHIP role!
- When we read in our Bibles – the testimony of how God worked in the lives of others…
- It can seem like we are somehow missing something…
- Why is God NOT speaking – moving – like that in our lives…
- But what we FORGET – is that an entire lifetime is often summarized in a verse or chapter…
- We do NOT read about the YEARS when NOTHING seemed to happen!
- The balance of the Christian walk is to WAIT – but be READY…
- We do NOT want to get AHEAD of the Lord – but we also do NOT want to get left BEHIND…
- They key is to be LISTENING to Him – prepared for when He calls!
- Esther 4:14 – “Who knows whether [we] have come… for such a time as this.”
- 120 people…
- Altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty!
- In all the total number of BELIEVERS in Jesus [in the world] – was ONLY 120…
- They were POOR and uneducated fishermen – from a small CONQUERED nation…
- They spoke Hebrew – a language NO one else knew…
- Even their own people [the Jews] despised them and sought to kill them…
- An insignificant group – WAITING for God work through them to reach a lost WORLD…
- I am sure the idea seemed an IMPOSSIBLE task to them…
- Yet from these humble beginnings – God would transform the world…
- Through their testimony – BILLIONS of people would go to heaven!
- We might feel like who are we – what could God do through us…
- It is so easy for us to FORGET – God wants to use us to change our world…
- It does NOT matter who we are – what matters is WHO He is…
- All God is looking for are HUMBLE men and women willing to be used…
- Men and women of prayer – full of the power of the Holy Spirit – unstoppable for God!
- II Chronicles 16:9 – “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
- 2nd – Choosing Judas… vs. 16-17
- The Spirit… vs. 16
- Men and brethren this Scripture had to be fulfilled.
- Which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas.
- Who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus!
- The FIRST thing Peter saw that needed to be addressed – was JUDAS…
- What he did in BETRAYING Jesus – had [imperative] to happen…
- They knew that – because the Holy SPIRIT told them through the words of King David!
- Psalms 41:9 – “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted – who ate my bread – has lifted up his heel against me.”
- Casting lots… vs. 17
- For he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry!
- Judas had been [perfect] COUNTED [ἀριθμέω] as ONE of the disciples…
- He became [λαγχάνω] a DISCIPLE by LOT [κλῆρος]
- The suggestion is that Peter saw this as an act of either CHANCE or PROVIDENCE!
- Luke 1:9 – “According to the custom of the priesthood [Zacharias] lot [λαγχάνω] fell to burn incense when he went into the temple.”
- The Priests in the TEMPLE had different duties…
- Their CUSTOM to decide what God wanted them to do – was to cast LOTS…
- Peter presumably assumed this was therefore how God chose Judas!
- When we have a DECISION to make…
- There are a lot of Christians who read their Bible – hear what the SPIRIT says…
- But rather than WAITING on the Lord – LISTENING to His Word…
- They fall back on the CUSTOMS the world has TAUGHT them…
- They ROLL the dice – and hope for the best!
- 3rd – No Repentance… vs. 18
- Innocent blood…
- Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity – and falling headlong.
- He burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out!
- Judas knowing he had sinned by betraying an innocent man – Matthew 27:3
- Returned to the Jewish leaders – and threw the THIRTY pieces at their feet…
- The Jewish leaders had NO such remorse – or sympathy for Judas…
- What was done – was done – they told him to live with his decision!
- Worldly repentance…
- One might assume Judas had a chance of heart – sorry for what he had done…
- But Judas did NOT go to Jesus and repent – or to God for forgiveness!
- II Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation – not to be regretted – but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
- It is easy to be REGRET the CONSEQUENCES of our actions…
- But being sorry for our CONSEQUENCES [worldly sorrow] is NOT repentance….
- True REPENTANCE is realizing we have SINNED against God – Psalm 51:4
- True REPENTANCE is turning away from SIN – and coming back to Jesus!
- Death of Judas…
- In a final act of selfishness – he hung himself and took his own life – Matthew 27:5
- But apparently the noose did NOT hold – and snapped under Judas weight…
- So he FELL down to the ground – burst open – and ALL [πᾶς] his intestines spilled out…
- A heartbreaking end for a man who had walked with Jesus!
- What happens to someone who commits suicide…
- The problem is this is NOT our life – we belong to God – I Corinthians 6:19
- God and God alone has the right to decide when our time here is over…
- SUICIDE is a SELFISH act – it is the EASY way out of difficult times…
- One that leaves behind everyone else [loved ones] to suffer through the consequences…
- The Bible does NOT directly address what happens to those who commit SUICIDE…
- For a devastated family I would say – no SIN can keep us out of heaven – Romans 5:20
- A momentary foolish decision – does NOT undo the Grace of God…
- But to anyone considering SUICIDE – do NOT leave this life with a QUESTION mark!
- 4th – The Reward… vs. 19
- The Problem…
- It became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem.
- So that field is called in their own language – Akel Dama – that is Field of Blood!
- ALL [πᾶς] of Jerusalem knew [γνωστός] the story of what happened to Judas…
- How he left the Priests with a problem – the THIRTY pieces of silver…
- They could NOT just put it into the treasury – it was BLOOD money [betrayal]
- So they purchased a Potters field – Aceldama [חֵלֶק דָּם]
- They purchased it as a place to bury strangers who died in Jerusalem…
- The field lies on a narrow level terrace on the south side of the valley of Hinnom!
- Gehenna…
- The valley of Hinnom [γέεννα] is on the south side of Jerusalem…
- It is where King Manasseh sacrificed children to the God Molech…
- Therefore his grandson Josiah turned it into a DUMP [Topheth] – II Kings 23:10
- Jesus used this DUMP as a picture of the Lake of Fire [γέεννα] – Matthew 10:28
- Judas reward for his BETRAYAL of Jesus – was he PURCHASED a place in HELL…
- NOT that Judas was worse than any other sinner – we are NO better…
- We have ALL PURCHASED our place in eternity with the REWARD of our sin – Romans 6:23
- Our hope [if we will believe] is that Jesus died for us so that we go instead to heaven…
- God does NOT send GOOD people to HELL – there are NONE…
- What is amazing is that because of Jesus – God sends SINNERS to HEAVEN!
- 1st – Standing up… vs. 15
- 2nd – Twelfth Apostle… vs. 20-26
- 1st – The Timing… vs. 20
- The Word…
- For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
- Let his dwelling place be desolate And let no one live in it.
- And – Let another take his office!
- Just as Judas betrayal had been prophesied – so had his replacement…
- It was [perfect] written [γράφω] in the PSALMS [ψαλμός]
- That although he must [imperative] die – his dwelling place DESOLATE – Psalm 69:25
- Someone else should [optative] take his POSITION [ἐπισκοπή] – Psalm 109:8
- It is the plan of God that the TWELVE Apostles be the foundation of the church…
- Since Judas was NO longer one of the TWELVE – they needed someone else!
- Revelation 21:14 – “Now the wall of the [New Jerusalem] had twelve foundations -and on them were the names of the TWELVE apostles of the Lamb.”
- Do Nothing…
- Peter was RIGHT to look to the WORD of God for answers…
- He was also RIGHT about the fate of Judas – and the need to replace him…
- The issue was the TIMING – when was the replacement going to be CHOSEN!
- If we want to be used by God – His Word needs to direct us…
- But we also need to have the patience to wait for His TIMING…
- When we are IMPATIENT – we often do more harm than good…
- The truth is the less we do – the less God has to undo!
- 2nd – Qualifications… vs. 21-22
- Predictable… vs. 21
- Therefore of these men who have accompanied us!
- Therefore – since SOMEONE had to take the POSITION [ἐπισκοπή] they MUST [δεῖ] choose…
- Peter had QUALIFICATIONS that he felt that person needed to MEET…
- FIRST – they needed to come [ἔρχομαι] from their [genitive] group…
- Because that is who God HAD chosen – so they assumed that is who He WOULD choose!
- God does NOT use patterns – He is NOT predictable…
- The way God did things YESTERDAY – is likely NOT how He will work TODAY…
- Because if we could reduce God to a pattern – we would NOT put our trust in Him!
- Educated… vs. 22
- All the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.
- Beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us.
- One of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection!
- SECOND – they needed to have been with Jesus the WHOLE [πᾶς] time [χρόνος]
- Starting with the BAPTISM of Jesus by John the Baptist – till His ASCENSION into heaven…
- So that they could be a WITNESS [μάρτυς] of His RESURRECTION…
- This was a REASONABLE qualification – it made SENSE…
- But just because something is LOGICAL – does NOT mean it is what God REQUIRES!
- I went to Bible college – but I did NOT graduate…
- I did well [3.77 GPA] – but I did fail ONE class my final semester [Growing in Grace]
- I ended up TWO credits short of a bachelors – because I failed Grace [ironic]
- I NOT finish my degree for almost TWENTY years – because it is NOT needed!
- Men tend to look for the diploma on the wall – the validation of their peers…
- But the proof of the calling of God is NOT in the recognition of the world…
- I know a lot of MEN who have the pastoral degree – who are NOT pastors…
- And I know a lot of MEN who have NO degree – NO diplomas – who are pastors…
- The calling of God – is shown through the work of God in our lives!
- 3rd – Limited choices… vs. 23-26
- Two men… vs. 23
- They proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas – who was surnamed Justus – and Matthias!
- They [active] CHOSE [ἵστημι] two men that met their QUALIFICATIONS…
- FIRST Joseph – whose name means ADDED [יָסַף]
- Who was the SON [בַּר] of SABAS [צְבָה] – meaning to DESIRE…
- He was also called JUSTAS – meaning to be JUST [Ἰοῦστος]
- Likely the favorite as he was given THREE names – ADDED – DESIRED – and JUST…
- SECOND Mathias – whose name means the GIFT [מַתַּת] of God [יָהּ]!
- Demanding… vs. 24-25
- They prayed and said: You O Lord who know the hearts of all.
- Show which of these two You have chosen!
- To take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell.
- That he might go to his own place!
- Then they PRAYED to the Lord [κύριος] – the BOSS…
- The one who KNOWS [γινώσκω] the HEARTS [καρδία] of ALL [πᾶς] men…
- DEMANDING [imperative] that He show them which of these TWO He chose…
- To REPLACE by LOT [κλῆρος] – Judas as one of the APOSTLES!
- We tend to come to the Lord with our IDEAS and PLANS…
- We might even give the Lord [the boss] a couple of OPTIONS…
- Then we DEMAND that He pick – we want Him to BLESS our CHOICE…
- But why would we think the God who knows the hearts of ALL men…
- The God who sees the END from the BEGINNING – and knows EVERYTHING – Isaiah 46:10
- Would be LIMITED to what we think the ANSWER is!
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart – and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him – and He shall direct your paths.”
- No Answer… vs. 26
- They cast their lots – and the lot fell on Matthias.
- And he was numbered with the eleven apostles!
- There was NO answer from the Lord – because neither man was His choice…
- But that did not stop the disciples – they followed the CUSTOM and cast LOTS [κλῆρος]
- When Joshua was preparing to attack city of Jericho – the Angel of the Lord met him…
- He asked the ANGEL if He was for them – or for their enemy…
- The ANGEL answered NETHER – he was for the LORD – Joshua 5:14
- We all want to KNOW what the PLAN of God is for our lives…
- But the ANSWER is NOT to demand He chose between our OPTIONS…
- And it is NOT to follow the CUSTOMS of the WORLD [gamble]
- The SOLUTION is to LISTEN to what God has says [His Word] – we want to be on His side…
- Rather than be the ONE to stand up [Peter] – we need to LAY down our lives!
- Romans 12:1-2 – “Present your bodies a living sacrifice… and do not be conformed to this world – but be transformed by the renewing of your mind – that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
- 4th – Lasting fruit…
- Choice of God…
- This is the ONLY time in the Bible we ever read about Matthias…
- Matthias was the choice of MEN to replace Judas …
- But it is very questionable if he was the choice of God!
- The best ideas – the most qualified – can do nothing without the power of God…
- The worst ideas – the least qualified – cannot fail when God is on their side!
- When people are just placed in a position – usually NOTHING happens…
- Just because there is a need – does NOT mean we are the ones to step up and help…
- Just because we have certain gifts and abilities – does NOT mean we are qualified…
- The question is NOT who has the most talent – or the best ideas…
- The question is whom has God called – who has God anointed for a work!
- Anointed by God…
- Galatians 1:1 – “Paul – an apostle [not from men nor through man – but through Jesus].”
- There was another man – who was CHOSEN by Jesus himself to be an APOSTLE…
- Jesus personally appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus – Acts 9:4
- Chosen by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentiles – Romans 11:13
- Paul who wrote a THIRD of the New Testament – and his FRUIT can still be seen today…
- Does that mean he is the TWELVE apostle – we can check the PILLARS in heaven…
- But it for sure does mean we want to be CHOSEN by God!
- John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me – but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit – and that your fruit should remain!”
- When God is the one who CALLS a man – God is the one who does the WORK…
- It is about seeing the calling of God on our lives – His choice…
- God is NOT in a hurry to put someone into a position for a day…
- He desires to raise someone up for a calling – where they will flourish for a lifetime!
- 1st – The Timing… vs. 20