Lord, is it I? (Matt.26:22)

Acts 1:15-26

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry."

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, This is a good opportunity to talk about church membership. It is important to note that the Apostles did record the names and number of those who gathered with them in doctrine and prayer(Acts 2:42). These one hundred and twenty disciples were meeting in this large upper room, which was, the first Bible fellowship church. The purpose of recording the names and number was, so that they were not merely having fellowship with their own intellect, but also with the Holy Spirit in God’s children(1Cor.12:27). Most object to membership because like, the Jewish synagogues of the day, most churches today love money and are business driven. They desire to know who are committed “tithers” and cater to them because they have the money to give. To some degree this is necessary for a church that is a debtor to a bank. Banks require a certain amount of income before they will lend money to a church. However, this is not the original intent of church membership for the Apostles. The record was for the Apostles and elders of the churches to pray and care for each individual; and for church discipline as the latter context reveals about the removal and replacement of Judas; the betrayer of Jesus Christ. It was never about making money. In fact, this was why the Apostles were commanded to wait for power from the Holy Spirit before they took the message of the Gospel to the world. The church was left on earth to be Christ’s representative and Christ was chosen by God to preach good news to the poor.

Luke 4:18-19 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." NKJV

The church is not to rely on or trust in carnal means to empower them to fulfill this commandment and mission of God. This doesn’t mean that the church operates without money, but that the church’s motivation should never be to make a profit. This was one of the main reasons Christ was crucified, because of the love of money that ruled the hearts of the Sanhedrin that resided over the nation of Israel. Jesus’ death established a separation between the state of Israel and the church. The obligation to pay “tithes” or “taxes” is only reserved for the government of nations(Rom.13:6), not an obligation for charity(2Cor.9:5). Therefore the church is not to govern, like the state, demanding payment for her services. The church was to wait upon the Lord for the Holy Spirit’s power to be a debt free organism that has the freedom to proclaim the Lord’s will and provide grace to His members.

Rom 13:8-9 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. NKJV

The love of money was the cause of Judas’ removal. We have many churches today that Judas represents in Scripture that are betrayers of Christ’s purpose, and intent for the body of Christ, and are chosen instruments like Judas to be a judgment upon individuals who love money(2Tim.4:3,4). Judas was chosen among the other Apostles to express the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ(Mt.7:21-23).

John 6:70-71 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. NKJV

16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; As the Apostles and disciples were seeking and waiting upon the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power between the time of Jesus’ ascension and the traditional feast of Pentecost; Peter takes the initiative to ask for guidance to replace Judas. Peter was shown that Judas’ fall was prophesied by David and that his love for money would compel him to lead the Sanhedrin to arrest the Messiah. 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." Judas being numbered with the Apostles fulfilled his ministry appointed by the Lord. What does Peter mean by this? Peter is talking about God’s predetermined foreknowledge that Judas would exercise his own free choice to act upon his sinful nature and betray Christ. God is using Judas’ choice as the means to administrate His power to save the other Apostles, and all who would believe, through Christ’s death and resurrection to expresses His sovereign power over His creation(Acts 2:23). Judas was (a) means to exercise God’s justice in glory.

Rom 9:21-24 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? NKJV

In choosing not to restrain Judas’ sinful nature God was able to perform His Word. This is also a testimony to validity of God’s Word and sovereignty. The latter verses give explicit detail about the chain of events of the betrayal and the outcome of Judas the betrayer. Lord willing we will discuss some of those details in the next study, but for now behold the awesome glory of the sovereign God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Isa 46:8-11 8 "Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. NKJV Isa 55:11 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. NKJV