As we continue to look in ( Acts 1 ), we see in ( verse 15 ) that Peter stood up and began to speak. The message he brings to the people in the room is all about Judas; the apostle that had killed himself. Here, I’m going to attempt to show why Jesus picked this man and, the need for him to be absent on this day. As you continue to read in this chapter, you will see that the people in this room did pick an apostle to replace Judas. We see that in ( verse 26 ) Look at what it says: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Do you realize that this man is never mentioned again in scripture? Just on a spiritual note here; I’d like to make a comment. Any person that desires to be a member of a church can actually be voted on and, join that Church. We can say ( they are numbered ) with the members of that Church. However, that doesn’t mean that every memeber of ever Church is known or recognized by Jesus Christ does it? In order to be known by Christ, recognized by Christ, you must be born again. Church members might know you, even highly approve of you but, if you are not born again then you are not know of Christ.

The eleven remaining apostles of Jesus Christ was picked and selected by Jesus Christ himself. Man cannot pick and choose apostles, only Jesus can. Peter, being the man he was actually stepped outside his abilities here. He was suppose to wait ( for the promise ), and he got ahead of himself here. He brought a good message and, it was basically true but, he or, the members of that group did not have the authority to pick a replacement for Judas who fell.

We know from scripture that Judas’ fall was not surprize to Jesus Christ. He even said; ( that scripture might be fulfilled )( John 17:12 ) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest meI have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. Actually, we could say that even Judas was ( numbered with the eleven ) because Jesus knew from the beginning what he would do.

What scripture was it that was fulfilled? I feel that this is worth studying. ( I believe ). I often put those two words ; set apart like that because I can’t prove everything I going to say from scripture. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be proved out but, I haven’t found the answer yet, maybe you can. I love to seek and find hidden wisdom and mysteries. ( 1 Corinthians 2:7 ) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto his glory.

I often also use that verse of scripture to show that it takes the spirit of God to teach me and, every person that is willing to search out things in his word. Look at this verse of scripture. ( 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; ( 28 ) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: ( 29 ) That no flesh should glory in his presence.

God, on purpose; did not design his word for the world to understand. He designed it so that only the spirit within us, his spirit within us can see the things he wishes to reveal and, also we, even born again believers must have the desire to know him and his will. God’s desire is to use people to teach and, my prayer is that he can use me but, the true responsibility of any teacher is to stir the spirit within you and get you to search scripture that you may learn beyond what any teacher might teach, including me.

God the Father has the ability to use any person for his glory. That is proven in scripture. Even if you call youself and atheist; God will use you to your own demise. Now, look at this verse.( Acts 1:25 ) That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

Where was that place? Can we simply assume he went to hell? There are people that will say that; just becauce he hanged himself, he went to hell, is that correct? We see in the book of Judges another man; Samson that killed himself. He pushed two supports on a building and caused them to fall on him, did he also go to hell?

God, by his spirit desires that we see something here. It becomes our responsibility to search and find it, comparing scripture with scripture. As we continue to go through all of these things, we will seek answers to many questions but, let’s consider this: just how close can any person get to hell without actually going there? What do I mean by saying that? It’s almost like we are taught today that salvation, the simple fact of saying we believe in Jesus Christ causes us to be exactly where God wants us to be within his will and, while salvation is a good thing, it’s not all God desires from us.

As we teach through the book of Acts, we see the beginning of the will of God for this earth as it relates to the Church. We see Peter here making a decision, he was partly correct. Judas had fallen and he needed to be replaced but, it was not their responsibility to decide who that man would be.

I’d like to start this by giving what ( I believe ) to be the fulfilling of scripture that Jesus is speaking of in ( John 17:12 ). Peter says in ( Acts1:16 ) 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. It seems he was referring to ( Psalm 41:9 ) Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

I see how this verse is possibly speaking about Judas but; I also believe it goes much deeper than that. ( I believe ) the true Church; those that are born again, all the way back to the beginning, are the spirit and the people that God truly desires to fellowship with. Flesh is simply a vessel. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Nation of Israel or just the flesh of one indidivual that the spirit of God is alive in.( The Church ) is a call out group of people that represents the actual will of God, we are people that make it our purpose in life to do and seek his will and his will alone. That has been in the mind and heart of God from the very beginning of time. ( Revelation 13:8 ) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

In this verse, he is speaking of the people that will be worshipping Satan; that is except those ( whose name are written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world ). I show you this verse just to make my point that; from the foundation of the world, it has been God’s desire to have people sell out their flesh to him, to seek to do his will. ( The Church ) is simply the final or last link in the unfolding of that in all of scripture.

We can see a picture of the whole concept of the Church all through the book of Genesis. That is because it has always been in the mind of God. It’s not intended to be easily seen but, it can be seen. This is were ( I believe ) we see the ( fulfilling of scripture ) mentiond by Jesus and by Peter in Acts. Abraham has one son after the promise of God. ( Isaac ) Isaac had two son ( Esau and Jacob ) Esau was ( after the flesh ) Jacob was ( the spirit man ) ( second born ) just a picture of you in your flesh and you being born again. That spirit man Jacob, had twelve sons. These twelve sons are the twelve tribes of Israel.

Now, let’s see what happens to these twelve sons. I’ll try to point out scripture for this. Do you remember when Jesus said this: ( Matthew 19:30 ) But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Joseph was the eleveneth son born to Jacob. At that time he was the last one born to Jacob.Now, look what Joseph said to his brothers. ( Genesis 37 ). I’ll just write this one verse but, you should read the whole account through the rest of this story. ( verse 5 ) And Josepth dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ. Just like Joseph, he was, as far as the riegn of Israel and the law was concerned; the youngest born. In other words, Jesus was born in the last years of the time of the law. Jesus was the ( fulfillment of the law ) As you read, you will see that Joseph’s brother left him for dead, even thought he was dead yet he became their savoir, just like Jesus Christ. As you keep studying, you will notice that when ( Israel ) the brethren of Joseph went to Egypt because of a famine, who did they find? Their youngest brother they thought was dead and also, they hated. At the time that Jesus Christ lived and was in Israel, they could not see their need for him but, there is a day coming they will see that need as a nation. But, before we get to that time; we must finish the ( age of grace ) which we live in now and, Israel must go through the ( seven years ) of tribulation period. At that time, Jesus will return. Just when Israel thinks it is no hope for them, Jesus Christ will return in the flesh and be their savior, meaning; the savior of that nation.

This next step is where ( I believe ) that the fall of Judas comes into the picture. With Judas being dead, that means it’s eleven apostles. So, who should that man be? As you continue to read in ( Genesis ) understanding this story, look at this verse ( Genesis 42:13 ) And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan: and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

Joseph has just learned that he has a younger brother, his name is Benjamin. Within these twelve sons of Jacob is the whole picture of the unfolding of Israel and ( the Church ) the body of Christ. ( I believe ) that the death of Judas, no matter how we might look at it is a picture of what is being taught in the last part of Genesis.

When we look at the ( twelve apostles ). Each apostle was not picked from different tribes of Israel. We know this because some of them were brothers. The one that died ( Judas ) can be seen as a type of Joseph that was sold to Egypt and, after he was sold to Egypt, another was born ( Benjamin ). With that being a fact, who then is actually the ( apostle ) that will replace ( Judas ) that fell?

The fact that Joseph did not know his youngest brother Benjamin is a picture of the fact that Israel could not see the ( Church ) that Jesus Christ would die on the Cross for also and, that beyond the fact that he was the King Of Israel. All these things were hidden in the Old Testament. As I make these comparisons, I realize that there are many types that can be seen, even within a single person. For instance; Joseph in this instance can be see as God the Father or, God the Son. I realize that I don’t see it all, maybe you can but the fact that Joseph was in Egypt; assumed to be dead by his father and, another son, Benjamin was born without Joseph having that knowledge is a picture of Israel not being able to see the Church. In these Chapters in Genesis we can actually see Israel and the Church coming together, all because of Jesus Christ.

At this point in Acts, as we see these things unfold. At this point even Peter cannot see all that God is doing. Since we have brought Benjamin into this equation and tied him to the death of Judas, I feel this will be a good point to teach about what person it is that actually becomes to twelfth apostle. Since this fact actually takes place in to ( book of Acts ) and, it will be a while before we get to it , we’ll simple point out a few things about this man.

The twelfth apostle, the man that will set in judgement over the tribes of Israel ( the tribe of Benjamin ) will be the ( Apostle Paul ). I said he would judge ( Benjamin ) But I cannot prove that. I do however, know that he was from the tribe of Benjamin. ( Philippians 3:5 ) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

The man we are speaking of is not even mentioned until ( Acts 7 ). Look at this verse ( 58 ) And they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. If you will notice in ( Acts 7 ) that Stephen mentioned this or, at least the twelve patriarchs in the message he preached just before he was stoned to death.

The next time we see Saul is in ( Acts 9 ). We can see him mentioned in ( Acts 8 ) but in ( Acts 9 ) is where we see that man actually speak to Jesus Christ and, excepts him as his personal Savior. One other thing I will mention about this man; Paul. ( Ephesians 3:3 ) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; ( as I wrote afore in few words, ( 4 ) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ )

You should make it a point to read that whole chapter but, I want you to see that: the picture of Benjamin not being known in Genesis or, known by Peter and the rest of the people in the upper room was made known to the Apostle Paul at the appointed time. As you read through the epistles written by the Apostle Paul, in almost everyone of them, in the very first few verses; he is trying to make the point that he is an apostle. Look at the first few verses in this book: ( Ephesians 1:1 ) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of Go, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

One of the most profound examples . I believe is seen in ( Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle,( not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:)

Benjamin is a picture of ( The Church ) that is hidden in the Old Testament. The Apostle Paul is ( The Apostle ) to the Gentiles. ( Romans 11:13 ) For I speak to you Gentiles, insomuch as I am the apostle unto the Gentiles, I magnify my office: He, being the Apostle to the Gentiles was hidden in the very beginning.

I’m going to make a statement here and, you can take it for what it’s worth. Israel was no different than the average group of people in any local Church. They had their minds made up as far as what they excepted as truth and to whom it was to come from. They refused to see how God would allow Gentiles to come into the fold. They had a hard time believing the Apostle Paul was someone that Jesus Christ actually called to be a part of their ministry. Are we not the same way in our Churches and, what we except as truth? To whom we except that truth from?

The problem the Apostle Paul had and, we also have today is getting people to understand ( how to ) hear the Spirit of God as he speaks to their hearts and, also ( to move ) in the direction he is leading. It’s just like you reading what I’m writing here. You or, no one has to believe what I have to say but, allow God to teach you and show you what is truth. Once he becomes your teacher and, you learn to listen to him then, every person can be used to teach you right and wrong, That’s because you discern right from wrong as guided by God’s spirit and not by any man.

In ( Acts 1) a transition has begun. We will look a little deeper into this chapter and see if anything else needs to be pointed out. The transition from law to grace was a hard step, we still struggle with it today. This is something that many can’t understand. It’s much harder to live by grace than it is to keep the law. Living by law; people see you as being good but, grace has nothing to do with keeping the law but, a desire to hear the Spirit of God and, move in the direction he is leading.

Speaking of ( leading ). Look in ( Acts 1:14 ) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

So, let’s assume here that every person that was there being; ( 120 ) people as seen in the next verse, was ( in one accord ) and ( praying ). I’m going to take this verse and start another segment. I can see something here that truly needs to be taught and understood. It’s not that it can be seen in this verse but, as we move forward in the ( Book of Acts ) it is something that truly will help us see the Church as it unfolds and, teach us the difference in the mindset of the people on that day and our mindset today.

Therefore, the next segment will be on ( Acts 1:14 ). We will call it ( Acts 1:14 / One Accord )