The Choice
Acts 1:15-26
1. Any move of God or work of God is a fulfillment of His Word
Romans 10:13 (NLT)
For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ...they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
Acts 2:17 (NIV)
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Acts 1:15-16 (NIV)
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus—
2. It's not enough to see God work around us - we must allow God to work in us.
Matthew 10:1 (NIV)
He called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to cure every kind of disease and sickness.
Matthew 13:11,16 (NIV)
[Jesus said] The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you... blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
John 6:64 (NIV)
Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
John 6:70-71 (NIV)
Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
John 13:27 (NIV)
As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.
Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot — went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Acts 1:15-17 (NIV)
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
Acts 1:18-19 (NIV)
(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Matthew 27:3 (NIV)
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
Matthew 27:4-5 (NIV)
"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:6-8 (NIV)
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
There are 6 suicide accounts in the Bible, 5 O.T. 1 N.T.
Abimelech - Judges 9:50-56
Samson Judges 16:23-31
Saul & his armor bearer 1 Samuel 31:3-5 (1 Ch 10:3-5, 13-14)
Ahithophel 2 Samuel 17:23
King Zimri 1 Kings 16:18-19
Judas Iscariot Matthew 27:1-5/Acts 1
Acts 1:19 (NIV)
Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Acts 1:20
"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, "'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' (Ps 69:25) and, "'May another take his place of leadership.'(109:8)
Acts 1:21-22 (NIV)
Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
When looking for a replacement for Judas they had the following criteria
1st With Jesus since the beginning.
2nd They were to have seen the resurrection & the ascension.
3rd They would have to be chosen by God.
Acts 1:23-25 (NIV)
So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry,
Acts 1:24 (NIV)
Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
Acts 1:26 (NIV)
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Proverbs 16:33 (NIV)
The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Acts 1:26 (NIV)
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
