The Replacement of Judas Iscariot
Acts 1:12-26
12 Then returned
they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a
sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up
into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew,
Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and
Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued
with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother
of Jesus, and with his brethren. 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,) 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. 17
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 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. 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. 20
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and
let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21
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. 23 And they appointed two,
Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24
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. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and
the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Introduction:
Factors to be born in mind while
studying this passage:
1. This
passage contains one of the major problems or issues in the minds of some in
the book of Acts.
2. Here
as elsewhere the transitional nature of the history recorded in this book must
be born in mind.
3. The
final quesition in the list of 20 from the Study Guide is, "How should Acts be applied to
your life today?"
Your mission, whether you decide
to accept it or not, is:
1. Enter
a debate that you may not even have been aware of.
2. Resolve
a multiple millennia old controversy.
3. Make
personal application without just skimming over this incident as mere history
or irrelevant facts.
This mission involves the
consideration of three questions:
Outline:
I. The Question of
the Legitimacy of the Selection of Matthias
1.
The Negative
2.
The Affirmative
3.
The Rebuttal
II. The Question
of the Legitimacy of the Papacy and Apostolic Succession
1.
The Congregational Nature of this Action
2.
The Historical Uniqueness of this Event
3.
The Scriptural Silence after this Account
III. The Question
of the Legitimacy of the Principles for Personal Application
1.
The Waiting Room (1:12-14)
2.
The Wise Remarks (1:15-22)
3.
The One Revealed (1:23-26)
Transition: The first two points involve clearing away
some cobwebs, fog and weeds that we encounter in historical treatments of these
verses!
I. The Question
of the Legitimacy of the Selection of Matthias
The Debate
over the Legitimacy of the Selection of Matthias to Replace Judas Iscariot as
the Twelfth Apostle [1]
1.
The Negative
2.
The Affirmative
3.
The Rebuttal
See the following Table.
[1] See, e.g., Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pg. 79; I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint), pp. 71-72; and David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), pg. 129, note 106.
[1] See, e.g., Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pg. 79; I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint), pp. 71-72; and David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), pg. 129, note 106.
The Debate over the Legitimacy of the Selection of
Matthias to Replace Judas Iscariot as the Twelfth Apostle
Resolved:
The choice of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot was of God.
|
|
The Negative
|
Text
|
1. Peter was the
initiator. Peter was impetuous and/or
foolish, both before and after Pentecost, and this is another example of this
pattern.
|
Acts 1:15; cp. Gal. 2:11-14; Acts 10:14.
|
2. This occurred
pre-Pentecost. They should have waited
for the Holy Spirit.
|
Acts 2:1-4.
|
3. This occurred
prior to the conversion of Saul/Paul.
If they had waited on the Lord to fulfill this Scripture they would
have had the 12th Apostle.
|
Acts 9:1-22, etc.
|
4. Matthias was unrenowned,
i.e., never mentioned again in the Scriptural history.
|
Acts 1:23, 26.
|
5. The Scripture
cited gives no indication or authorization concerning: 1) who should initiate
the replacement, 2) when the replacement should be done, or, 3) how the
replacement should be done.
|
Acts 1:20; Ps. 109:8.
|
6. There is no
mention of the common Old Testament practice of decisions made by the casting
of lots following the giving of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost
anywhere else in the New Testament.
|
Acts 1:26.
|
The Affirmative
|
Text
|
1. They were
gathered in obedience to Christ's command at Jerusalem.
|
Acts 1:12.
|
2. They were
gathered in unity and engaged in prayer and supplication.
|
Acts 1:14.
|
3. This was done
in response to the consideration of the Scriptures.
|
Acts 1:16-20.
|
4. This was done
as a corporate action following prayer.
|
Acts 1:24.
|
5. The final choice
made by casting of lots left the ultimate decision to God.
|
Acts 1:26.
|
The Rebuttal of the Negative
|
Text
|
1. Peter was the
walker on water, the rock of the Church, the feeder of the sheep, the opener
of the door to the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles, and one of the
pillars of the Church.
|
Mt. 14:29; 16:18, Jn. 21:15-17; Gal. 2:9; Acts 2, 8, 10.
|
2. Pentecost is
an non-issue since it only involved the baptism of the Spirit uniting the
Church to Christ, and the verification of the Apostles as the bearers of the
New Covenant revelation.
|
Acts 2, 8 and 10.
|
3. Paul did not
meet the official qualifications as an Apostle, was not numbered with the
twelve, and spoke of himself as such, despite Christ's authorization of him
as one.
|
Acts 1:15, 17, 20-22; 1 Cor. 15:5, 7-9.
|
4. Matthias was
mentioned subsequently by implication as included in mentions of "the
twelve".
|
Acts 6:2; 1 Cor. 15:5; Rev. 21:14.
|
5. If Scriptural
authority is to be made an issue any criticism or judgment passed on this
decision is "hoist on its own petard" since there is no recorded
Scriptural criticism or condemnation of this action that would provide a
basis for such conclusions leaving it in the realm of human speculation.
|
|
6. The
legitimacy or wisdom of the casting of lots may not be questioned in this
incident without bringing into question the practice through the Old
Testament. Pointing to the absence of
this practice in the rest of the New Testament is an argumentum e silentio (an informal logical fallacy).
|
Prov. 16:33.
|
Transition: The cobwebs, fog and weeds in the second, and
more serious question, are actually somewhat more easily cleared away!
II. The
Question of the Legitimacy of the Papacy and Apostolic Succession
Resolving a multiple millennia old controversy regarding
the Petrine "Papacy" and Apostolic succession
1. The Congregational Nature of this Action
2. The Historical Uniqueness of this Event
3. The Scriptural Silence after this Account
1. The
Congregational Nature of this Action
Peter does not act like a
"pope" in this situation, but merely as a leader amongst a
congregation containing many other leaders equally involved in the decision
making practice. The choice is left,
first to the congregation, and then ultimately, to God. This is the consistent practice throughout
the New Testament for the Church, as seen explicitly especially in 1
Corinthians.
23 And
they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and
Matthias. 24 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. 26 And they
gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with
the eleven apostles.
2. The Historical
Uniqueness of this Event
This is a unique event precipitated
by the apostasy of Judas that may not therefore be seen as repeatable, or as
providing a historical precedent for any notion of "apostolic
succession".
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. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had
obtained part of this ministry. 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. 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. 20 For it is
written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man
dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 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.
3. The Scriptural
Silence after this Account
"It was his apostasy, not
his death, that necessitated the filling of the vacancy; there is no suggestion
of filling the vacancy left by the martyrdom of James the son of Zebedee (xii.
2)."[1] In other words, if this incident in Acts
1:13-26 is taken as setting a precedent for the notion of perpetual apostolic
succession as maintained by the Romish cult, then the onus probandi is on them in the face of the Scriptural silence
concerning the void in the Twelve created by the murder of James the brother of
John.
Transition: Now we must get down to the nitty-gritty, the
brass tacks, down to where the rubber meets the road, and bring it on home!
III. The
Question of the Legitimacy of the Principles for Personal Application
1. The Waiting Room (1:12-14)
2. The Wise Remarks (1:15-22)
3. The One Revealed (1:23-26)
1. The Waiting
Room (1:12-14)
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount
called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both
Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and
Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of
James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his
brethren.
Obey the revealed will of
God!
Be where God wants you to be!
Do what God wants you to do!
2. The Wise
Remarks (1:15-22)
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,) 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. 17 For he was
numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 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. 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. 20
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and
let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21
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.
Honor the written Word of
God!
Search the Scriptures and act
upon them!
Make the Bible the basis for
life decisions!
3. The One
Revealed (1:23-26)
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who
was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 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. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon
Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Submit to the sovereignty of
God!
Leave the results to God!
Trust God to show you the way!
Transition: It may be that there is a
hidden agenda motivating Peter's initiation of this action.
Conclusion:
Consider the possible motives
for Peter and those in the upper room involved in taking this action.
What must be fulfilled to bring
Jesus back, to bring in the Kingdom, to hasten His return?
1. Bring Jesus back?
2. Bring in the Kingdom?
3. Hasten His Coming? (2 Pet. 3:12)
Would you?
Then learn, obey and fulfill the
Scriptures!
1. Evangelism: "The Lord is not slack concerning His
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
(2 Peter 3:9)
2. Jewish Evangelism: Provoke Israel to jealousy and bring in the
fullness of the Gentiles (Romans 11:11-26).
3. Worldwide Evangelism: Take the Gospel to the ends of the earth
including all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Build the "Temple"!
Wait on the Lord!
Take His Word to heart and put
it into practice!
Act on it by faith!
Leave the results to the Lord!
Read as closing prayer:
Bishop of the
Souls of Men
Bishop of the souls of men,
When the foeman’s step is nigh,
When the wolf lays wait by night
For the lambs continually,
Watch, O Lord, about us keep,
Guard us, Shepherd of the sheep.
When the foeman’s step is nigh,
When the wolf lays wait by night
For the lambs continually,
Watch, O Lord, about us keep,
Guard us, Shepherd of the sheep.
When the hireling flees away,
Caring only for his gold,
And the gate unguarded stands
At the entrance to the fold,
Stand, O Lord, Thy flock before
Thou the Guardian, Thou the Door.
Caring only for his gold,
And the gate unguarded stands
At the entrance to the fold,
Stand, O Lord, Thy flock before
Thou the Guardian, Thou the Door.
Lord, whose guiding finger ruled
In the casting of the lot,
That Thy Church might fill the throne
Of the lost Iscariot,
In our trouble ever thus
Stand, good Master, nigh to us.
In the casting of the lot,
That Thy Church might fill the throne
Of the lost Iscariot,
In our trouble ever thus
Stand, good Master, nigh to us.
When the saints their order take
In the New Jerusalem,
And Matthias stands elect,
Give us part and lot with him,
Where in Thine own dwelling place
We may witness face to face.
In the New Jerusalem,
And Matthias stands elect,
Give us part and lot with him,
Where in Thine own dwelling place
We may witness face to face.
Words: Gerard Moultrie, Hymns and Lyrics for the Seasons and Saints’ Days of the Church (1867).
Music: Sherborne (Monk), William H. Monk, in Hymns Ancient and Modern
(1861).
Alternate tune: Ratisbon, Johann G. Werner (1815); harmony by William
H. Havergal (1861).
Source: CyberHymnal at http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/i/bishopsm.htm
[accessed 29 JUN 2013].
[Sermon preached by Pastor John T. "Jack" Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA on Sunday, June 30, 2013.]
[1] F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek
Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952), pg. 76, s.v. i. 16.
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