Acts the Story Continues (4)
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The Picking of the 12th
The Picking of the 12th
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,
“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.
For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
(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.
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.)
“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.’
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1
We are at the point where Judas is now dead and they must replace him. The answer of why they had to replace him is easy “Because the Bible said too,” but how they went about replacing him is telling. Peter stands up as the Shepherd to the Shepherds and stands in place as their leader. Christ eluded that this would happen as he stated
We are at the point where Judas is now dead and they must replace him. The answer of why they had to replace him is easy “Because the Bible said too,” but how they went about replacing him is telling. Peter stands up as the Shepherd to the Shepherds and stands in place as their leader. Christ eluded that this would happen as he stated
Throughout the bible many decisions were made.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
Now I could put together atleast two sermons on this one passage because of the use of word play Jesus used. This is one reason I tell people don’t just read scripture, but study it and let the Holy Spirit be your guide, because Jesus had a way of getting many points across in one sentence or action and if taken the wrong way it could lead to screwed theology, but for this mornings purpose we understand that Jesus was, if just in part, declaring Peter to be future leader of the disciples.
One of the biggest things I get when I read this scripture is that leaders aren’t leaders
They are chief followers
They are chief followers
The apostles first devoted themselves to prayer. They waited on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Some state that the apostles hadn’t received the Holy Spirit yet, but this is due to the lack of understanding the difference between being Saved and being baptized by the Holy Spirit.
It’s important to lay the foundation here properly in order for us to understand much of what is going on in today’s world.
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
Here Peter was giving his message, but notice the type of falling the Holy Spirit did. I believe there are several parts to the Holy Spirit.
The Opening of understanding
The Spirit as our guide and leader through the gospel
We notice in the Old Testement and the New Testment where God opened people’s ears to understanding the scriptures.
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians
This is why I can say with all confidence that I know there are Baptists, Methodists, and other denominational Christians who are saved and will enter heaven. Although they may be without the Sign gifts of the Holy Spirit.
There are great men of understanding-R.C Sproul, John Piper, and John Hagee to name a few. I have used their commentaries and such and learned a tremendous wealth of knowlede, but they don’t prophesy. They don’t use words of wisdom. They don’t heal the sick.
Then you have Aimee Simple McPherson, Dwight Moody, C.S. Lewis , The Grahams. John Bevere who not only have the knowledge, but they power as well.
So how can someone obtain the same Spirit but have different understandings. It’s as simple as how deep someone goes in their relationship.
For example, I know Don as a church member and a board member, but I don’t know him as well as Chris and Jim because they have a different type of relationship. I may know deep things about Don, but it doesn’t mean I tapped into all sides of personality. Chris and Jim know Don well, but maybe not as close as Cindy.
Or you know me and If I were to ask you what my deepest fears and insecurities were some of you may say spiders. But only one person knows what truly keeps me awake at night and that’s my wife. Just because you don’t know me as well as she knowns me doesn’t mean you don’t know me. And just because she knowns me at a deeper level there are still some very basic things she doesn’t know. I forget what it was-but a week or two ago my wife who I just celebrated our 13th anniversary with stated that she never knew something about me. Or she heard me describe a childhood memory to someone she didn’t know I had. I wasn’t hiding it, but it never came up in conversation until I was talking with that particular person.
There are people who tapped into the perfound wisdom of God without ever getting know his power. and there are people who have tapped into the power of God without ever having any wisdom. I prophesied over someone for the first time at the age of 13. I prayed for people and watched them get filled with the Holy Spirit, but I hadn’t a clue what 99.9% of the bible said.
Peter had the wisdom, but they were waiting for the power. Some of us here have the wisdom, but we haven’t unlocked the power. Let this morning be the beginning of unlocking the power of God.