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Monday, August 27, 2007
Quick Facts (Sermon: Acts 1:12-26)
Mount Olivet: Site of the ascension; located just outside of Jerusalem
A Sabbath days journey: .5 to .75 mile
Casting lots: Similiar to throwing dice; two lots would have been placed in a cup and the first to fall out when tipped would have been considered the will of God
A Sabbath days journey: .5 to .75 mile
Casting lots: Similiar to throwing dice; two lots would have been placed in a cup and the first to fall out when tipped would have been considered the will of God
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Matthias or Paul: Who is the Twelfth Apostle? (Sermon: Acts 1:12-26)
Acts tells us that Peter lead the early church to promote Matthias to take Judas' place as the twelfth apostle. However, some have suggested that Paul was meant to be the twelfth apostle and that the account in Acts chapter 1 is yet one more example of Peter acting rashly. It is often suggested that since Matthias is never mentioned again and Paul plays such a major role throughout the second half of Acts, that Paul would have been appointed by Christ on the road to Damascus if Matthias had not already been chosen by the early church.
However, several issues must be considered here. First, none of the apostles are mentioned by name after Acts 1, save Peter and John. Thus, the lack of mention of Matthias is no more important than the lack of mention of the other nine. Second, Luke wrote Acts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and after the ministry of Paul and Matthias were well underway. If the appointment of Matthias was illegitimate, Luke would have surely addressed the issue in his account. Third, Paul's ministry was very different from the twelve. While they primarily led the church in Jerusalem, Paul was specifically called to the Gentiles. Fourth, Paul did not meet the qualifications of the office of apostle. He was not with Jesus during His earthly ministry. He was not a witness of the resurrection until his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Fifth, the other apostles did not recognize Paul as one of them. In fact, they did not even accept that he was a genuine believer until Barnabas interceded on his behalf. (Acts 9:26-31)
With these facts under consideration, we can affirm with all confidence that Mattias was and is the twelfth apostle.
However, several issues must be considered here. First, none of the apostles are mentioned by name after Acts 1, save Peter and John. Thus, the lack of mention of Matthias is no more important than the lack of mention of the other nine. Second, Luke wrote Acts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and after the ministry of Paul and Matthias were well underway. If the appointment of Matthias was illegitimate, Luke would have surely addressed the issue in his account. Third, Paul's ministry was very different from the twelve. While they primarily led the church in Jerusalem, Paul was specifically called to the Gentiles. Fourth, Paul did not meet the qualifications of the office of apostle. He was not with Jesus during His earthly ministry. He was not a witness of the resurrection until his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Fifth, the other apostles did not recognize Paul as one of them. In fact, they did not even accept that he was a genuine believer until Barnabas interceded on his behalf. (Acts 9:26-31)
With these facts under consideration, we can affirm with all confidence that Mattias was and is the twelfth apostle.
Should Christians Cast Lots? (Sermon: Acts 1:12-26)
We read in Acts of the early church casting lots in order to determine the will of God. Proverbs 16:33 tells us: "The lot is cast into the lap,but its every decision is from the Lord." The question then arises: "Why do we not cast lots today to determine the Lord's will?"
Let me first answer the question whether Christians should cast lots today or not with a clear "no." Why not? I believe the answer lies within the time period of Acts 1:12-26. First, it is important to note that the early church cast lots before the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Second, we do not read of the early church ever casting lots after Pentecost. Why? Because the Holy Spirit indwells believers and guides them in decision making.
What then should we do to seek God's will? First, we should look to the scripture. Many questions can be decided by simply knowing what God has directed us to do in scripture. Second, we should pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Romans 8:26-27 tells us: "26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. " In John 16:13 Jesus tells His disciples of the promise of the Spirit: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christians today, then have no need for casting lots.
Let me first answer the question whether Christians should cast lots today or not with a clear "no." Why not? I believe the answer lies within the time period of Acts 1:12-26. First, it is important to note that the early church cast lots before the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Second, we do not read of the early church ever casting lots after Pentecost. Why? Because the Holy Spirit indwells believers and guides them in decision making.
What then should we do to seek God's will? First, we should look to the scripture. Many questions can be decided by simply knowing what God has directed us to do in scripture. Second, we should pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Romans 8:26-27 tells us: "26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. " In John 16:13 Jesus tells His disciples of the promise of the Spirit: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christians today, then have no need for casting lots.
Judas: Traitor or Hero? (Sermon: Acts 1:12-26)
In the spring of 2006, the media informed us of a newly discovered ancient document entitled the "Gospel of Judas." The National Geographic wrote concerning the document: "Unlike the accounts in the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in which Judas is portrayed as a reviled traitor, this newly discovered Gospel portrays Judas as acting at Jesus' request when he hands Jesus over to the authorities."
The document leaves the modern mind with two options for understanding Judas: either he was a traitor, as the Gospels insist, or he was a hero, as this newly found document purports. Since even Christian scholars affirm the authenticity of the document, we must choose which gives the accurate portrait of Judas: the Bible or The Gospel of Judas, for a careful examination of each will reveal that they are completely incompatible.
The Bible clearly portrays Judas as a traitor. Peter prays, "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." (Acts 1:24-25) John gives an editorial comment regarding Jesus' statement to be sure his readers know the Judas was the one to which he was referring: "And yet one of you is a devil. He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him." (John 6:70b-71).
So where does this leave us? Well, The Gospel of Judas is most likely an authentic early writing. However, we know of many early manuscripts. The early church knew of them as well, but they only designated 27 books to be added to the scriptures we now know as the Old Testament. The age of a document and the accuracy of a document are unrelated. Further, since there is no external evidence to corroborate the witness of The Gospel of Judas, it seems unreasonable for even the most dedicated sceptic to favor it against the scripture as an accurate witness to history.
Is Judas a hero? Not if the Gospels are true. Yet, some would like to parade The Gospel of Judas as proof that the Bible is in error. Perhaps Paul had this sort of discussion in mind when he wrote: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
For a view of The Gospel of Judas and to read what the media is saying about it go to:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/?fs=www9.nationalgeographic.com
For an intelligent Christian discussion of the issue you can listen to a previous broadcast from the Albert Mohler show at:
http://www.albertmohler.com/radio_show.php?cdate=2006-04-06
The document leaves the modern mind with two options for understanding Judas: either he was a traitor, as the Gospels insist, or he was a hero, as this newly found document purports. Since even Christian scholars affirm the authenticity of the document, we must choose which gives the accurate portrait of Judas: the Bible or The Gospel of Judas, for a careful examination of each will reveal that they are completely incompatible.
The Bible clearly portrays Judas as a traitor. Peter prays, "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." (Acts 1:24-25) John gives an editorial comment regarding Jesus' statement to be sure his readers know the Judas was the one to which he was referring: "And yet one of you is a devil. He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him." (John 6:70b-71).
So where does this leave us? Well, The Gospel of Judas is most likely an authentic early writing. However, we know of many early manuscripts. The early church knew of them as well, but they only designated 27 books to be added to the scriptures we now know as the Old Testament. The age of a document and the accuracy of a document are unrelated. Further, since there is no external evidence to corroborate the witness of The Gospel of Judas, it seems unreasonable for even the most dedicated sceptic to favor it against the scripture as an accurate witness to history.
Is Judas a hero? Not if the Gospels are true. Yet, some would like to parade The Gospel of Judas as proof that the Bible is in error. Perhaps Paul had this sort of discussion in mind when he wrote: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
For a view of The Gospel of Judas and to read what the media is saying about it go to:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/?fs=www9.nationalgeographic.com
For an intelligent Christian discussion of the issue you can listen to a previous broadcast from the Albert Mohler show at:
http://www.albertmohler.com/radio_show.php?cdate=2006-04-06
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