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A lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P.O. Box 1447, Claypool, Az. 85532

520-425-8345 or 520-402-9134

www.oocities.org/heartland/plains/3364

pastorjohn@gila.net

Date: 11-21-99

Sermon Number: 002

Text: Acts 12-26

Topics Addressed in this lesson

(The Sovereignty and Providence of God, Mary, the mother of Jesus)

With the book of Acts Dr. Luke continues what he began with the Gospel of Luke. There, he spoke of all that Jesus began to do and teach. In the book of Acts he describes the continuation of the Lord's work by the power of the Holy Spirit through the apostles and all the disciples of Jesus.

Last week we considered the many convincing proofs that Jesus presented to the disciples during the forty day interval between His resurrection and ascension. During that time He spoke to them of things concerning the kingdom of God. What exactly did He say to them? There are at least three aspects of the kingdom. His kingdom is in us as individuals and collectively as His church. His kingdom is in Heaven now and forever and His kingdom will be here on earth when our Lord returns. What He said about the kingdom simply cannot be known. But I suspect we have a good deal of that information recorded by the apostles in the New Testament.

At the end of that forty days as Jesus was about to leave for Heaven He called his disciples together and gave the following instruction. (Acts 1:4-5 NASB) "And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; {5} for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

They were to wait for God the Holy Spirit who would give them power for ministry. They had the message, the gospel, and the desire to witness, but they must be fully equipped for the work. They were about to establish the New Testament church by preaching the word of God. Which word they would get from Old Testament and by direct revelation from God. They needed some proof that God had commissioned to them to speak for Him. By the Spirit they would be equipped with wisdom, the ability to perform miracles of healing, even to the point of raising the dead. They needed the ability to communicate in languages they did not know for the purpose of spreading the gospel. This is what we know as the gift of tongues or languages. These were all sign miracles, signs from God that He had indeed sent these men with the gospel to the world.

The relationship of all believers to the Holy Spirit was about to change. He would envelope, and indwell, them permanently. Not all would receive the special gifts the apostles needed to do their work but all would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. By Him they would be baptized into the family of God and safely kept till the return to Jesus. When the Spirit had finally come they would become witness for Jesus to all the world. Having given His last instruction our Lord ascended into heaven as His followers looked on. God then sent angles who promised that Jesus would return again just as He had gone. With that the disciples went back to Jerusalem to wait for the promised visitation of the Holy Spirit. This is where we pick up today.

(Acts 1:12-26 NASB) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. {13} And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. {14} These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and WITH HIS BROTHERS. {15} at this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, . . ."

Surely we are not surprised to see that Christ’s mom was present in the upper room. Some however would find it surprising that more is not said about her. How, I wonder, does the Roman Catholic church justify the great emphasis they put on Mary when the scripture says so little about her? Although she is treated with respect, and played an important part in our Lord’s birth, the Bible never exalts her. In fact, this is the last reference to her in Scripture. Jesus words in Mark 3:31-35 should be enough to dispel any exalted thoughts of Mary. "And His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him, and called Him. 32} And a multitude was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." {33} And answering them, He said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?" {34} And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! {35} "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother." Jesus claimed that His true relatives are the children of God by faith in Himself. He never, on any occasion, dishonored His mother but neither did He give her special honor. He never even hinted that she should be prayed to, worshiped, or considered a mediator between Christians and their Savior. Spiritually, Mary gained no ground by being the mother of Jesus. That truth is made clear by Jesus in Luke 11:27–28. "And it came about while He said these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice, and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which You nursed.' But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it."

Mary was a daughter of Adam and Eve and as such a sinner like all humans. She did not think more highly of herself than she should. She referred to herself as a humble bondslave of God, one who needed mercy herself, (Luke 1:46–50). To offer prayers to her or elevate her to a role as co-redemptrix with Christ is to go beyond the bounds of Scripture and her own confession. The silence of the epistles as concerns Mary ought to bring her promoters to shame. If she were to receive prayers as an intercessor between believers and Christ, surely the apostles would have included that teaching in their writings. Further Jesus would have taught His disciples to pray to Mary but He did not. Quite the contrary He taught us to pray to our Father in heaven in His name. The statement concerning Mary’s presence in the upper room is the last mention of her in the Bible. Let us be content to leave it at that, considering her a sister who was saved from God’s wrath by trusting her eternal soul to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ’s brothers were also present and accounted for. This is exciting news because His brothers were not followers of Jesus prior to His death. We discover their names by reading Mark 6:3 NASB. "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? . . ." James and Judas (Jude) were used by God to write the books that carry their names. James was the first head of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 15:13ff). The record of their conversion is not recorded for us but they most likely took place after Jesus appeared to James following the resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:7).

Who else was included in the one hundred twenty. Could Nicodemus have been among them? I think it likely along with Joseph of Arimathea, Mary and Martha, maybe Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. How about Mary Magdalene? Whoever they were they were indeed a blessed bunch of Christians. They had all walked and talked with the Savior and had seen Him after the resurrection. Now they were waiting together for the blessing of the Holy Spirit. But they were not idle. They were continually praying.

Beyond prayer the group was taking care of some business. They were about to embark upon the evangelization of the world and would need all the good leadership they could get. So, Peter begins to lead them toward replacing Judas.

The scripture HAD to be fulfilled! This is a truth that should bring comfort and stability to the Christian’s life when he understands, believes, and applies it. What truth do I speak of? The truth of Gods sovereignty over all that He has created. The truth or fact that God has a plan and is working it out. The fact that our Lord’s crucifixion was no fluke or accident. Things didn’t just work out this way, rather, God ordained that Jesus should die in exactly the way that He did. Judas had to betray Him. King David speaking as a prophet spoke of this betrayal long before Christ was even born. Consider the words to which Peter refers. (Psalms 41:9 NASB) "Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me." These words served a dual purpose. With them David laments his experience in life and at the same time looks forward to the betrayal of Christ. He speaks again in Psalms 55:12-15. "For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. {13} But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend. {14} We who had sweet fellowship together, Walked in the house of God in the throng."

These are David’s words which Peter says predicts the betrayal of Jesus. Now we look at the fulfillment. (Matthew 26:48-49 NASB) "Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him." {49} And immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him."

God planned it, told us about it through King David, and then carried it out. Peter says as much in chapter two. (Acts 2:22-24 NASB) "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- {23} this Man, DELIVERED UP BY THE PREDETERMINED PLAN AND FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (He speaks of everyone involved in delivering Christ to the cross including Judas Iscariot.) {24} "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power."

Although a disciple, an apostle, a man who healed the sick, and baptized in Jesus name, Judas was obviously never saved. Jesus expressed that fact in the gospel of John when He told the apostles, ‘There are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?' Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him" (John 6:64, 70–71; 17:12). Judas was a devil from the very beginning yet he was a necessary player in the drama of redemption. Behold our Sovereign God using a vessel of wrath created for destruction for His glory and our eternal good! Even evil men cannot hinder the plan of God for His people and His glory. Quite the contrary they will all be used to fulfill His eternal purposes.

Peter continues relating the sad history of Judas. {18} (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. {19} And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) {20} "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO MAN DWELL IN IT'; and, 'HIS OFFICE LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE.'

Judas did not actually purchase the field himself. Rather it was purchased by the Priests who paid him to betray Jesus with the money initially given to Judas. How did they get the money back? The story is told in Matthew 27:3-5 NASB. "Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, {4} saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" {5} And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself."

The Priests used the money to acquire a field, which came to be known as Hakeldama, Field of Blood.

Judas, overwhelmed by his accusing conscience, committed suicide. As we just read he did so by hanging himself. The Gospel of Luke tells us that as a result of the rope giving way or the limb breaking, Judas fell from the tree and burst when he hit the ground. Just as the betrayal of Judas was predicted so was his replacement by another, (Psalms 109:8 NASB) "Let his days be few; Let another take his office."

Peter continues to speak, {21} "It is therefore necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- {22} beginning with the baptism of John, until the day that He was taken up from us-- one of these should become a witness with us of His resurrection." {23} And they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. {24} And they prayed, and said, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen {25} to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." {26} And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Some, says John MacArthur in his commentary on the book of Acts, have argued that Peter and the apostles were mistaken to choose a replacement for Judas. Paul, they assume, was really the Lord's choice as the twelfth apostle. Since there are only to be twelve thrones in the kingdom (Matt. 19:28), the twelfth must be for the greatest apostle, Paul. Nothing in this passage, however, indicates that this action is wrong. It is inconceivable that the Lord would allow such a crucial error in such a crucial office at the very beginning of His church. Why would He take pains to provide the apostles with all the proper resources, and then allow them to choose the wrong man? Jesus Christ chose Matthias just as surely as He chose the other eleven. And while Paul was in no way inferior to the twelve, he was not one of their number. By his own testimony he was "in no respect … inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody" (2 Cor. 12:11). He was a unique apostle. The mission of the twelve was primarily to the nation of Israel, while he was the apostle sent to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). (End Quote)

The first order of business was to set forth the qualifications for the office. He must have accompanied the apostles all the time, beginning with the baptism of John onward until the Lord’s ascension. He must be a man who had been exposed to the Savior’s entire earthly ministry. Second the man must be a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All the apostles were to be personal eyewitnesses of the risen Lord.

Two of those present met the requirements. There was Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. Knowing that the third qualification for an apostle was to be chosen by the Lord, they all prayed, and said, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen {25} to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." (Acts 1:24-25 NASB)

Before we continue let me say something about this strange statement, "Judas turned aside, (from Christ), TO GO TO HIS OWN PLACE." That is hell, ladies and gentlemen. Hell was to be the eternal home of Judas. Hell belonged to him and it belongs to all who follow him in unbelief and rebellion against Jesus Christ. Likewise, when a Christian dies he also goes to his own place, heaven. By trusting in Jesus for the salvation of his soul heaven belongs to him. I guess the crucial question is, "Which place belongs to you?" Moving on . . .

After praying and acknowledging that the Lord had already chosen the right man for the job, they drew lots to identify him. Some may think this strange but it reveals something wonderful about these men. They had complete confidence in the word of God and believed Him to be completely sovereign in the affairs of men. They had no notion of leaving the choice of these men to chance. When this was over they would not speak of the, "lucky guy who won the toss of the dice." Rather, he would be viewed as God’s choice and that choice would not be questioned. This is a beautiful scene although it is the last record of casting lots in the New Testament. Some site the coming of the Holy Spirit as the reason for this. He now reveals God’s will to us in different ways.

The actions of these people were no doubt based on Proverbs 16:33, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord" Matthias was God’s choice, without a doubt. I believe the purpose of this Proverbs text is to remind us of the providence of God. He is, and always has been, in control of the affairs of men. Listen to some excerpts I gleaned from a book titled "Concise Theology."

"God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions" (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.11). If Creation was a unique exercise of divine energy causing the world to be, providence is a continued exercise of that same energy whereby the Creator, according to his own will, (a) keeps all creatures in being, (b) involves himself in all events, and (c) directs all things to their appointed end. The model is of purposive personal management with total "hands-on" control: God is completely in charge of his world. His hand may be hidden, but his rule is absolute."

"The Bible clearly teaches God’s providential control (1) over the universe at large, Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11; (2) over the physical world, Job 37; Pss. 104:14; 135:6; Matt. 5:45; (3) over the brute creation, Ps. 104:21, 28; Matt. 6:26; 10:29; (4) over the affairs of nations, Job 12:23; Pss. 22:28; 66:7; Acts 17:26; (5) over man’s birth and lot in life, 1 Sam. 16:1; Ps. 139:16; Isa. 45:5; Gal. 1:15-16; (6) over the outward successes and failures of men’s lives, Ps. 75:6, 7; Luke 1:52; (7) over things seemingly accidental or insignificant, (this one applies to our text) Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30; (8) in the protection of the righteous, Pss. 4:8; 5:12; 63:8; 121:3; Rom. 8:28; (9) in supplying the wants of God’s people, Gen. 22:8, 14; Deut. 8:3; Phil. 4:19; (10) in giving answers to prayer, 1 Sam. 1:19; Isa. 20:5, 6; 2 Chron. 33:13; Ps. 65:2; Matt. 7:7; Luke 18:7, 8; and (11) in the exposure and punishment of the wicked, Pss. 7:12-13; 11:6. (L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 4th ed.)

The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind forces (fortune, chance, luck, fate); all that happens to them is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice, knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good, (Rom. 8:28). (End Quote)

The new church began with men and women who understood the providence of God much better than most Christians do today. How else could they begin but by casting themselves entirely upon the God who made them and the Christ who redeemed them? God, in Christ, called them to evangelize the world. What He commanded they believed He would accomplish through their obedience and trust. We must ask and answer the question, "If the church began by trusting completely in her Sovereign God to supply all that she needed, including guidance and direction when serious decisions must be made, should she not continue in the same way?" Can we hope to finish the race by trusting in man? No, of course not. We must always wait on the Lord who has and will supply all we need for life and godliness.

(Isaiah 46:9-11 NASB) "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, {10} Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; {11} Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it." This is the Christian’s God!