Chapter one verses fifteen through twenty-five: Approximately 120 disciples of Jesus have followed His instructions to return to Jerusalem where they have been staying in the upper room of a private residence. Those who would shortly become apostles (sent ones), are identified by name. By naming those who would be sent out to officially minister the Lord’s Word as a witness to all the world (Mat. 24:14), He distinguished between ministers and all others in the church. As we are told in Scripture, some are called to go and spread God’s light while others are called to be His light where they live. The one thing they all have in common is His light–His Holy Word.

In verse 16 the Apostle Peter addresses the fact that the Lord chose 12 men to be His light to the world (Mat. 5:16) after He–the light (Jn. 9:5)–left the world. The light both He and His disciples manifested was the Word of the Father–the Sword of the Spirit–by which all men must live (Mat. 4:4) and by which all men will be judged (Jn. 12:48). In verse 16 Peter refers to Psalms 69:25-28 in reference to Judas’ lost apostleship. He quotes the passage in verse 20. Peter proclaims that someone must replace him in order for there to be 12 apostles. In verse 17 Peter reminded the others that Judas had been an equal member of the chosen ones and that they had all been given the same ministry. This fact proves a point that I have made on several occasions: ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD. See All That Glitters. There was in the time of Jesus, and still are today, goats among the sheep. This includes both ministry and laity. Judas was one such goat. Recall that in Luke 10 Jesus sent the disciples out among the people to preach the gospel,  heal their illnesses and deliver them from demonic bondage. They all returned exclaiming that “… even the devils are subject unto us in Your name” (vs 17). Note that Judas had the knowledge, power and commission to do what the other disciples did. Note also that Judas “fell” from his ministerial position (vs 25). One cannot lose a position one has never held. He fell because he was a thief (Jn. 12:6) and craved money. He was a thief long before he met Jesus of Nazareth. I contend that Jesus knew what he was when chose him to be a disciple. I also contend that Jesus placed him in charge of the money so as to allow him to overcome his sin. To overcome a weakness one must not run from it, but rather face it, take it on and master it. By being in charge of the purse Judas had ample opportunity to do just that. He did not.

One of the writing and speaking peculiarities practiced by people in the Middle-east was the habit of changing subjects without letting the listener/reader know such a change was coming. Context was used to determine who or what was being referred to at any point. An excellent example of this practice is found in verses 17,18, 20, 21. In verse 17 Peter is talking about Judas. Then in verse 18 and 19 Peter, without warning, switches his subject from Judas to the man who used the money Judas had returned to the priests to buy a field in which to bury strangers. “This man,” Peter explained, had fallen and landed in such a way that his innards gushed out, killing him. In Matthew 27:5 we are told that Judas hanged himself. Then in verse 20 Peter suddenly returned to Judas by quoting Psalms 69:25-28 concerning his position as a disciple of Christ, noting that another man must assume that office.

In verses 21-25 we learn how the 11 disciples chose Judas’s replacement. I contend that they made a mistake in so doing. THERE IS NO VOTING IN GOD’S CHRUCH. The disciples in effect “voted” and determined which two men would be put forth as Judas’ replacement. I contend that God did not need man’s help in choosing the first 12, needed no help in replacing Judas and needs no help in choosing those whom He calls to His ministry. Would the apostles have voted for Saul of Tarsus to join their group? One will notice that following his being chosen, Matthias is never mentioned again in the Scriptures. Could it be that the Lord would have preferred someone other than the two men the disciples put forth? Note that the two contenders for Judas’ position were described as having “… companied with us,” not as having been chosen by the Lord to be voted on. Note that the disciples prayed that God would let them know which of THE TWO THEY HAD SELECTED He preferred. IF GOD COULD CHOOSE THE TWO, COULD HE NOT HAVE CHOSEN THE ONE and eliminated the need for the disciples to get involved?  The method of “casting lots” was to write the contestants’ names on rocks, parchment, skin, etc. and placing the items in a pot. Someone then reached in and drew one out. Today’s method of ministerial selection varies only slightly from this method. In both cases, man does the selecting while God is relegated to, at best, an advisory position.

Choosing God’s ministers is strictly His domain. See Ministerial Selection. Ministerial selection is much too important to be left to men. This was voiced by Jesus in Matthew 24 when He warned the disciples first and foremost to “beware” of false prophets who would destroy the church through deception (vss 4,5). How did false prophets gain leadership roles in the early church? The same way they gain such roles in the modern church–by man’s selection process. The fallen church system is proof that Satan has used the voting process to destroy the church. As Jesus warned in Matthew 24:4,5, Satan’s false prophets have totally conquered her while convincing parishioners that  are true servants of the Lord. Through the voting system Satan has gained total control of the Catholic/Protestant religion. L.J.