“Church Business”
Acts 1:15-26
As we walk through the Book of Acts we hear Peter speaking about the subject of Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus and then went a hanged himself.
Vs. 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
As Peter stood up in Verse 15 I do not see Peter demanding to be a leader but rather a man concerned about a missing member of the leadership that Jesus had instituted.
In short it looks like a Church Business Meeting was taking place.
Vs. 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Psalm 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”
Psalms 55:12-15 “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”
If you are looking for evidence to the existence of the New Testament Church before Pentecost then we need not look any farther than these verses today.
It is interesting that our Bible today is a descendant from William Tyndale’s Bible which was printed in English around 1535
The Tyndale Bible (TYN) generally refers to the body of biblical translations by William Tyndale into Early Modern English, made c.?1522–1535. Tyndale's Bible is credited with being the first Bible translation in the English language to work directly from Hebrew and Greek texts, although it relied heavily upon the Latin Vulgate and Luther's German New Testament. Furthermore, it was the first English biblical translation that was mass-produced as a result of new advances in the art of printing.
“Matthew 16: 18 And I saye also vnto the yt thou arte Peter: and apon this rocke I wyll bylde my congregacion. And the gates of hell shall not prevayle ageynst it.”
In our Bible we see something different in Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Notice the word “CHURCH” ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah)
A gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly, an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
The “Law of First Mention” Says that, to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is revealed and study that passage. The reasoning is that the Bible’s first mention of a concept is the simplest and clearest presentation; doctrines are then more fully developed on that foundation. So, to fully understand an important and complex theological concept, Bible students are advised to start with its “first mention.”
"The Law of First Mention," which simply means that the very first time any important word is mentioned in the Bible Scripture gives that word its most complete, and accurate, meaning to not only serve as a "key" in understanding the word's Biblical concept, but to also provide a foundation for its fuller development in later parts of the Bible.
“Church” is mentioned 79 times and the first is Matthew 16:18
With this in mind our next several verses then makes sense.
Verses 17-20 is spoken about Judas Iscariot which can be seen in Matthew 27:3-10
Vs. 21-22 “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.”
All this was given as a preparation for a motion to be made in the Church Business Meeting that would bring the number back to 12 as the Lord had started with.
1. Men who traveled with them throughout the time that Jesus was with them.
2. A true Apostle would be from “baptism of John,”
3. Must “be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
This is the evidence that tells us that there are no Apostles today.
The teaching of apostolic succession is not found nor practiced in the Bible.
This is a Catholic teaching believing the pope is in direct succession from Jesus and that they have all His power to forgive.
Vs. 23 “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabass, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.”
Appointed - to cause or make to stand, to bid to stand by, in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges.
120 members and they were reduced down to 2 men.
Joseph called Barsabass, who was surnamed Justus - Some studies believe this to be Barnabas who we find in Acts 4:36 to be active in the Church at Jerusalem.
“Bar” means “son,” and the word “Sabas” means “an oath, rest, quiet, or captivity.”
Why the name was given to Joseph is not known but probably it was the family name - Joseph son of Sabas.
There is no proof to believe that this is Barnabas.
When the Bible is silent so shall we be.
Matthias - Nothing is known of the family of this man, or of his character, further than that he was numbered with the apostles.
The prayer before the vote:
Act 1:24-25 “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 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.”
1. A prayer for unity
2. A prayer for direction
3. A declaration that only God knows the heart of man
4. A desire that the man chosen would take the place of the fallen Judas.
A great way to have a business meeting!
Acts 1:26 “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Gave forth their lots – A stone or piece of wood with a name written on it and thrown into a pot. (A vote).
Conclusion:
Matthias was chosen and added as an Apostle.
Nothing more is said about Matthias, but His name was enough.
My name is not written in the Bible but I am so glad it is written in the Book Of Life.
Is yours?
