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MATTHIAS
(Study on the Twelve Apostles) 
(MBC - Wednesday PM, November 22, 2023   
I – SUBSTITUTING THE BETRAYER OF CHRIST
 
     There are 12 original apostles chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ. Out of these 12 chosen disciples, there is one who betrayed the Lord and hanged himself and end his life. Now, there were eleven apostles after Judas died. An empty open space is vacant which needed to be filled. Replacement is needed, and someone is needed to replace Judas to take his place in the Apostleship.
Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”
The word “bishopric” means office.
     Read Matthew 19:28 is about sitting upon the twelve thrones.
Matthew 19:28 “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Do you believe that Jesus would allow Judas Iscariot to sit on one of these twelve thrones someday? __________
Do you think according to these verse that it was necessary to have 12 apostles as addition to 11? __________
     Read Revelation 21:14
Revelation 21:14 “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
Since the number of the Apostles are 12, do you think the name of Judas will be found written in the wall of the eternal city? _________________
Since Judas betrayed Jesus and eventually died, does Revelation 21:14 show us that it was needful that Judas must be replaced by someone? ______________
     After the death of Judas, there was a vacancy in the group of Apostles that needed to be filled. If the President of a certain nation died or resign from his office, would this vacant highest office needed to be filled? _______________
What man would take the place of the former President as the next President of that certain nation? ____________
Judas was chosen to a very important position as one of the twelve Apostle of Jesus Christ. When Judas fell from that very important position of Apostleship, a replacement was needed. Who would be the one to fill up the replacement? _____

II – SEARCHING THE CHOICE OF GOD   

     In the book of Acts we find Peter preaching, and wisely suggested that a man needed to replace Judas must be a man who had been associated with the disciples throughout the public ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:22).
Acts 1:22 “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
The Public Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ
(About three and half years)

Jesus baptized by John (Luke 3:21-22) ----------------- Jesus taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11)

     Whosoever the one who will replace Judas very important position must have also seen the risen Lord so that he could be a W ___________________ of His resurrection (Acts 1:22).
Acts 1:22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
     How many men met these qualifications that these eleven remaining Apostles have found? ___________ (Acts 1:23).
Acts 1:23“And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.”
     Give the names of the two qualified men? ____________________________
     The one replacement for Judas will be chosen from among these two men.
How could the eleven disciples determine which of the two qualified men was the choice of God? ___________
What was the very first move the eleven did to determine the choice of God? (Acts 1:24).
Acts 1:24 "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,"
     The One who is the best qualified to make the right choice is God. Why? (Acts 1:24).
Acts 1:24 “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,”
     After they prayed, the second thing the disciples did to determine God’s choice was to give forth their lots. During the Apostles time, using lots is a practice like flipping a coin or throwing dice or drawing straws. This type of method in making a choice seems depending on luck or chance, however during the Old Testament time, it is God who would step in and the lots would fall exactly as God wanted them to. (Jonah 1:7; I Samuel 14:42).
Jonah 1:7 “And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.”
I Samuel 14:42 “And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.”
     This method in making a choice was explained in Proverbs 16:33
Proverbs 16:33 “The ________ is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the _________.” Fill up the blanks.
Although men may do the lots by throwing dice and flip coins, but it is God who supervises all the procedure and Gid decides how the dice and coins will fall. So, Peter who was giving his sermons and the other disciples who were involved with the lots in determining God’s choice were not being guided by luck; for they were guided by the Lord.
     Upon which of these two qualified men did the lot fall (Acts 1:26).
Acts 1:26 “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
This man whom the lot fell upon became the 12th Apostle, for he was numbered with the eleven Apostles as the replacement for Judas Iscariot. This chosen man is only recorded in Acts 1 that is why we do not know anything about this chosen man except for what we have studied and discovered in Acts 1.
     In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came, and after that we never have records that the believers still using lots to determine decisions because the New Testament believes enjoy the very special and very personal guidance, leading, and convicting of the Holy Spirit of God to all sons of God (Romans 8:14).
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

     Each believer must make important decisions every day in our lives. When we as believers do not know what to decide, we should not forget that God knows. When we as believers cannot see what tomorrow will bring and what will be our future, God sees and holds our tomorrow. When we as believers do not know what to do as we face challenges and trials in life, God knows what step we have to take.

     Let us always remember that there are three important keys in making decision.
     1. Prayer – Drawing upon the knowledge and wisdom of God (Acts 1:14; James 1:5-6).
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.”
James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
     2. Word of God – Letting the Bible guide you in your decision making (notice how Peter used the Bible in Acts 1:16-20).
Acts 1:16-20 “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. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”
     3. Holy Spirit Staying in a right relationship with the Lord so that He might continually steer you in the right direction (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18).
Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
     The believer in prayerful dependence upon God, rightly applying the Word of God as guided by the Holy Spirit of God.