WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHY, PT 8

“Dispensational Distinctions; The Man Who Followed Judas”

Galatians 1:1/Ephesians 1:1

(Intro)

·The replacement for Judas Iscariot

·The choosing of Matthias

·Paul’s Apostleship

I. The Replacement for Judas Iscariot

A. Acts 1:15-26

1. Was this action “in the flesh?”

2. Did God correct this mistake later in chapter 9 of Acts?

3. If so – this does away with the mystery and special revelation given to Paul

B. Acts 2:1-4

1. But . . . the Holy Spirit “confirmed” their decision

2. Was their action “carnal” and “in the flesh?”

3  If so – then why did the Spirit fall on them?

II. Facts About the Choice of Matthias

A. They prayed

1. Acts 1:14

2. As a result, Peter obeys God’s Word about selecting a replacement for Judas.

3. The Lord had opened their understanding of the Word

a. Luke 24:44-45

b. Acts 1:3 – He spent 40 days with them speaking of the Kingdom

4. “Casting of lots”

a. Proverbs 16:33

b. Familiar way of discerning God’s will

B. The replacement was necessary at that time

1. Matthew 19:28 – 12 thrones, judging 12 tribes of Israel

2. Matthew 16:18-10 – Peter was “in charge”

C. Rigid requirements for the replacement

1. Acts 1:21-22

2. Luke 22:28-30

3. John 15:27

D. Context of the passage in which Matthias is chosen

1. God approved the choice

2. “Matthias was numbered with the eleven”

3. 11 + 1 = 12

4. They were all filled with the Spirit

III. So Then, What About Paul?

A. Paul could not be one of the twelve

1. Acts 1:20-22

2. Matthew 19:28

3. Paul didn’t see Christ until after His ascension

4. These are the qualifications of the twelve; not of an apostle.

5. Paul’s apostleship was different – Romans 11:13

B. Paul’s commission was different

1. I Corinthians 1:17 vs. Matthew 28:19

2. What Gospel?

a. Mark 15:15-16?

b. Acts 2:38?

c. Romans 3:28, 4:5

C. Paul made a direct reference to “the twelve”

1. I Corinthians 15:5-8

2. Paul declared the twelve to be a separate and distinct body of apostles

D. Paul is not one of the twelve

1. Romans 15:15-16

2. Paul was an apostle with a different ministry than the twelve.

(Conclusion)

·The choosing of Matthias was not “carnal” or “in the flesh”

·God confirmed the choosing of Matthias by sending the Spirit on theday of Pentecost

·Paul’s apostleship was unique