Replacing Judas Acts 1:19-26

 Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Acts 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.

Judas hanged himself and according to Mat 27:5, perhaps the limb broke for in Acts 1:18 he fell headlong to the ground. It is not how he died that matters, it is that he went to eternity not forgiven, having sought forgiveness in the wrong place.The high priests he sought for forgiveness were equally guilty. There is but one way given to man in which we may be saved.

Judas was with the disciples when Jesus showed them the way.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 Beginning 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.

This criteria is used as the qualifications of an apostle. They must have been with Jesus and learned from him. Peter adds that they must have been with him through his entire ministry. This disqualifies any future apostles, if we use these criteria. These were Peter's best reasonings, yet the thoughts of Peter.

Paul became an Apostle, having seen Jesus and he was taught by him, by revelation, but was not with him during his ministry. So the true qualifications for an Apostle are to have an encounter with Jesus, and to be sent to a new ministry. There are no new apostles, nor any new addition to the Bible.

Jesus had personally chosen his disciples, after the Father gave them to him. In Jesus' absence and without the Holy Spirit, how shall we make a replacement for Judas? What is the procedure?

Peter comes up with a common sense solution. Perhaps this is what Jesus wanted, and again perhaps he should have waited for the promise to come. The Holy Spirit of truth, then he would truly have the mind of Christ.

Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Wisely they prayed first, my question is if we limit God to two choices when we pray, is this his perfect will? The request was a good one, show us which one, but they wanted a quick answer. My thoughts are they were being like Sarah who in her own mind chose a way for the promised son to be born, seeking another way then God's plan, having grown impatient in waiting.

Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

They used the old testament way of choosing, throwing lots. Are we to rely on this method of choice now that the Spirit of truth has come? Do we open the Bible and point at a passage, by chance finding God's will? We have the word to study and the Holy Spirit of truth and prayer to guide us. Often we must wait.

The disciples were in obedience when they chose, they were in fellowship, they were in prayer, they were in the Word, they wanted to do God’s will, they used sanctified common sense, and they did what they could do to rely on God without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Soon the Holy Spirit would come, and they would be fully equipped to serve in Spirit and in truth.

Perhaps Paul was God's choice for the replacement of Judas? Paul considered himself an apostle, but one born out of due time.

1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

An Apostle was to build on the foundation which is Jesus Christ the word.

The rain shall fall

 It was the day after Christmas and we were out of cheese. I thought that there is time to go to the outlet market and buy some cheese for my daughter and I. I bought two kinds of cheese; colby Jack and sliced mild chedder  I continued to shop until the market basket was full. I pushed the cart to go outside and "oh no", it was pouring down rain! I had parked my car a block away, I needed the excercise?  What I did not need was a downpour, the kind of rain that instantly soaks like walking into a lake and me a spong. Well, it is not going to quit, :so here goes, I pushed the cart in the direction of my parked car. Just as I came to the car, it began hailing bean sized hail, stinging rocks, "ouch", I fumbled the car door open and poked my head into the car to quit the pounding of the hail. "Get in the car", I thought as I abandoned the groceries and started the car to get some heat. The hail stopped, it was still raining as I unloaded the contents of the market basket cart. I managed to get home with my load and the cheese.

I changed into somethng dry and turned the space heater towards my chair by the computer. I heard the sound of my daughter closing her car door;sspirithe was home from work. We greeted each other and she was carrying a brown paper grocery bag. she said with a smile"I bought cheese". We have cheese.

 Is there a spiritual lesson in this? What does the Bible say about rain?

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

The important thing is to be on solid ground.

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 

Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 

Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 

Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

On Jesus, the Solid Rock our foundation is sure. He is the Corner Stone of our faith.

Maintenance

Years ago I was asked to photograph the interior of a church for a Church directory. There were no people in the church. I thought isn't the church the people? The presence of the Lord may be felt in an empty church, often this is the case when alone in a church seeking the Lord, but the church are those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our physical church building looks good. A lot of maintenance is needed to keep it up. The Pastor and helpers should be commended for all they do to make the church a pleasant place to attend and to experience the presence of the Lord. There is wear and tear and also concerns from the weather as well as watching out for thieves that would like to break in and to bring destruction. Any property requires maintenance and it can be costly.

The poor and the afflicted of the body of Christ need maintenance as well. The grace of God keeps them going.

Psa 140:12  I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
Psa 140:13  Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Isa 58:10  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isa 58:12  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

We have a most important calling, to keep the way of Christ pure so that others may come to him with repentance, knowing the way and becoming his disciples in a world of many paths and ways. With so many voices, we must hear the Masters voice and lead the sheep into the path of life.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Our foundation

The foundation of our nation was based on the Bible and the laws of God. These are being removed. What was unheard of Fifty years ago has come about because of the lack of understanding and the indifference of the people. With the ignoring of the constitution and the moral laws there is a crumbling of the nation because the foundations are being destroyed. We Christians have a high calling.

World War 2 poster

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

The foundations of our faith were built on Jesus Christ and the founding apostles. There are no new entries to the Bible, it is complete as written. All that is said and done must  be aligned with the word of God. When a nation or church alters the foundations in the name of progress, we have the so called enlightenment of nazi Germany or communist Russia. Both of these systems failed because they oppressed God's truth and destroyed individual freedom.

Our leaders swore to keep and honor the constitution of the United States. We the people are to be careful who we elect to office. The church too must pray for the leaders and uphold the word of God or the foundations will crumble. Jesus is returning soon and he will destroy the ungodly foundations and bring righteousness. He will make everything over to his proper building"code,"  the way that God has foretold and established that it shall be. We are to be made into his image in truth and righteousness.


Psa 96:11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 
Psa 96:12  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 

Psa 96:13  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. 

Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 
Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 
Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (hymn)

Secret things

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Hold onto the things that God has revealed to you and trust him for what you do not know. We do have the responsibility to learn what he has told us and to obey him.

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Job 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Job 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

There is so much we are told and yet so much is a mystery. One mystery revealed to us is the church. We are the body of believers, the body of Christ and he is the head.

1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus paid the price for our sins with his blood and we became joint heirs with Christ, the children of God. He died on the cross in my place and has been raised from the tomb to give us eternal life. We have access to the mind of God our father, through the Holy Spirit who is our comforter.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Jesus told us to ask of him and we will receive.

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Many are going through afflictions. God knows and he is there for you.

Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

We are destined to eternal life with God. Jesus is our Lord and King.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know

Jesus is the way to God; hear him and believe him. We are not to make mysteries out of what is revealed. Everything important to us he reveals to us. Believe in him always and take time to see and understand what he has shown to us.

Everyone a Chance to Hear

Rom 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Rom 15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Too many churches have people moving from one to another and there are few new converts to the faith.

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Paul did not want to go where converts were already established, but in new areas where the gospel had not yet been heard.

Isa 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Everyone should be given the chance to hear the gospel message.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Do not continue to give the gospel to someone who rejects it, move on where another is seeking what you have to share. Paul proved his apostolic calling. He went to areas completely unaware of his gospel message with boldness in the Holy Ghost. It is not uncommon today to meet people who have never been to church and have little understanding of who Jesus is.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Lord save the lost from their sins, in Jesus name amen.