Decision made in Cenacle
Acts 1:12-26; 2/12/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Jesus ascended to heaven, and the disciples faced a choice, right? They were used to the daily leadership of Jesus Christ, but suddenly, what happened in these few days caught the disciples off guard. What should we do about the future direction, the lack of disciples, and the relationship with each other? They need to make a decision, right?
Sharing after prayer
What is prayer? Prayer is under God’s control of our lives, obeying God to hear and understand Him, and experiencing His presence and power. First, the preparation for prayer. Prayer requires preparation is the sublimation of faith life, do you agree? The habit of praying on call may become formalistic and drift with the flow. Jesus’ ascension to heaven was inspired by the Holy Spirit to the disciples’ need to pray. Because of this inspiration, the disciples began to learn to prepare for prayer. The scriptures say that the disciples walked “about the distance of the Sabbath” from the Mount of Olives, that is, a distance of about one kilometer. The place where the disciples were going was Cenacle, located on Mount Zion. But the Bible mentions Jerusalem twice in verse 12, which shows that the Holy Spirit prepared their hearts to face Jerusalem and focus on God! Cenacle has too many memories and commemorations, such as the last supper should be held here. Of course, this was also the place where the apostles often met.
Second, the participation of prayer. Whoever attends the prayer meeting is the spiritual leader chosen by God in the future. The Bible says: “Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:13-14)” Except for Judas, who betrayed the Lord, all the other eleven disciples came. Here, the more prominent ones are the brothers of Jesus. The original text is plural, which should include James and Judas. James later became the leader of the Jerusalem church and presided over the Jerusalem Assembly in Chapter 15, laying down the gospel strategy of the church’s westward mission. In today’s IOUC prayer meeting, God will surely choose the future spiritual leaders of the church from among the participants who persevere to the end. We can’t help but wait and see how God’s hand will accomplish the holy work?
Finally, unity of prayer. What are the people participating in the prayer doing? The bible says, “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” This is actually revealing a heavenly mystery, that is, the prayer meeting is actually going to be in one heart! It’s strange, what we do on ordinary time, we just can’t make concentricity. However, once you pray, there is a high probability that you will be in unity. This is why there is a sentence in the confession of faith of our international church: “The prayer meeting is the highest principle for making major decisions!” People may have disputes and emotions in their flesh and emotions in ordinary times. However, once you enter into the prayer meeting and face God, most of you may become quiet. In this way, to be in one accord is to be looked after by God in the prayer meeting. Let’s look at the second point:
Saints, Holy spirit, bible
If prayer is the prerequisite for our decision-making, then the saints, through the Holy Spirit, follow the Bible is the basic principle of decision-making. First, the saints meet. Perhaps some of our brothers and sisters have not realized the significance of our meetings? Bible records, “In those days, a group numbering about a hundred and twenty.” It should be Peter who notified everyone of the meeting, sent a message, and said: Come on, let’s go to the meeting in Cenacle! What kind of action is this? This is a church act! Moses said to Pharaoh: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’” (Exodus 5:1)” When we make any decision, it is a prerequisite for everyone to get together. Otherwise, how should we make a decision? Most importantly, when God’s people gather together, Christ Jesus is with us. A place where Christ is present is the church. Because the church is the body of Christ! It is Christ who does things through His body, including making decisions.
Second, the Holy Spirit intervenes. If it is a meeting of saints, the Holy Spirit is in it, this is the Lord’s promise. The eleven disciples and the women who often followed the Lord, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the brothers of Jesus, and those who came later, totaled about 120 people. Didn’t they all come to the meeting in Cenacle because of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? When we give all the glory, praise and authority to God, we will receive that the Holy Spirit is the God who works miracles alone! It is not necessary to determine whether the Holy Spirit will come or not through the increase or decrease of human will. That is to say, whenever the saints gather, the Holy Spirit is there, listening, moving, comforting, persuading, rebuking, leading, and blessing! Otherwise, how could Peter “stand up among the believers” and speak?
Finally, biblical principles. Speaking of “Peter stood up among the believers” is actually the principle of the Bible. At the Jerusalem assembly in chapter fifteen, Peter also stood up as a spiritually responsible posture. The Bible records that: “After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. (Acts 15:7)” Not only that, the church system has developed soundly, and “Church James” has also been established. James affirms Peter’s sharing and concludes: “The words of the prophets are in agreement with this. (Acts 15:15)” From then on, a model of making decisions by the saints, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible came into being. Let’s look at the third point:
Make a decision together
However, there is still one thing that needs to be decided by everyone, which is to add an apostle to satisfy the will of the Lord’s twelve disciples. First, cite the bible. The first thing to do in seeking God’s will is to have the basis of the Bible. The first scripture Peter quotes is from the Psalms: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. (Psalms 41:9)” Jesus also used this psalm in John 13:18, so that we can be sure that it refers to Judas. Come to think of it, this is a great example of a church making a big decision! The principle of Peter’s citation is the integration from the New Testament to the Old Testament. Without the confirmation of Chapter 13 of John’s Gospel, it is difficult to conclude the verdict based on the sentences of Psalm 41 alone. The fact that Judas betrayed the Lord was based on the prophecy of the Bible, which avoided judgment and hatred driven by emotions.
Second, state the facts. Apart from the Bible, perhaps objective facts are the closest to the truth, do you agree? A decision cannot be made without enumerating the facts of what happened. What is the fact? The fact is that even your enemies will say amen with you when you list them! Although the betrayal of Judas is a prophecy in the Bible, it is also a fact in everyone’s eyes! The second is that Judas was originally one of the twelve disciples. Third, the man bought a field with the wages of his evil deeds. Fourth, after Judas died, the Bible says that he “fell down, his stomach burst open, and all his intestines flowed out.” How do you know that what Peter said is true? Peter said: “Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) (Acts 1:19)”
Finally, make a decision. Is there any biblical basis for the decision to add an apostle? This question is important, right? Let’s look at verse twenty: “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ And, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’” The first half verse is from Psalm 69:25 and the second half verse is from Psalm 109:8. It means that Judas lost his original position because of the betrayal. Now, according to the guidance of God’s words, let’s add a new apostle! Two men were chosen, one was Joseph and the other was Matthias. The standard is to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ”Those who have seen the Lord and walked with the Lord.” “beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)”
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, today’s message is a model for the New Testament church to make decisions. Starting from prayer, through the Holy Spirit, the saints seek God’s will according to the principles of the Bible, and finally make a decision with one accord.
Let us pray……
Acts 1:12-26
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)
16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.
17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.
19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ And, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us,
22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.