Acts Pt. 2 | Sermon Notes
Acts Pt. 2 // Apostolic Fathers
Pastor Chris Pletcher
September 29, 2024
Acts 1:15-26
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; And “‘Let another take his office.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Why is this story included in Acts?
Why did Peter feel so strongly about replacing Judas?
Why did Jesus appoint 12 apostles in the first place?
There are 2 possible explanations for this:
In the place of unified prayer, the Holy Spirit spoke to the appointed leadership (Peter) and told him to replace Judas.
Peter remembered what Jesus said in Matthew 19:28 // Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Number 12 in Hebrew is the number of GOD’S PERFECT GOVERNMENT. It began with 12 tribes FATHERED by a man named Abraham, but it continued with 12 apostles fathered by a man named Jesus.
Apostle // Over 80 occurrences in the NT
Chosen prayerfully from among the disciples (Luke 6:12-16)
Invested in by Jesus in a special way
Entrusted with unique authority to carry out specific ministry tasks
Deliverance and Healing (Matthew 10:1-8)
Teaching, wonders and signs (Acts 2:42-45)
Distribution of Resources (Acts 4:32-35)
Luke 6:12-16
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Matthew 10:1-8
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Disciple = a learner, student or pupil
Apostle = a disciple who has been given authority and sent out
Acts 2:42-45
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Acts 4:33-35
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Apostolic Fathers //
Heavenly FATHER sends the SON. Son sends the SPIRIT. Spirit empowers the APOSTLES.
Apostles preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons and start churches… churches are basically little Kingdom family gatherings. Paul himself called the church the “household of God” and insisted that these churches be overseen by ELDERS, who were appointed by the… Apostles. Does anyone know what the primary qualification for an Elder is?
1 Timothy 3:1-5
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
Can this whole thing really be about FATHERS?
What was the number one name Jesus used to reveal YHWH to Israel?
When we get saved, we get filled with the spirit of ADOPTION by which we cry out, “ABBA! FATHER!”
Ephesians 3:14-16
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…
How's the state of the Union under Satan's reign of lies and rebellion?
FAMILY has systematically dismantled.
MARRIAGE has been constitutionally redefined.
SEXUALITY has been distorted, perverted, mutilated and removed.
FATHERHOOD has been utterly abandoned by most men.
MASCULINITY has been attacked and branded as “toxic.”
PROCREATION has been reduced to science instead of embraced as the sacred privilege of being made in the image of God.
CHILDREN are being murdered by the millions because, like Satan, we’ve made ourselves God and decided that it’s our choice who lives and dies.
Do you see how evil social problem and moral evil of our day is ANTI-FATHER, ANTI-CHRIST and ANTI-HOLY SPIRIT???
Response //
Healing from leadership wounds. Here’s how you can tell if you need healing:
Do you struggle to believe the best about those in leadership?
Do you find yourself suspicious of those in leadership?
Do you find yourself intentionally keeping your distance?
Do you often feel afraid of being let down again?
Do you find yourself waiting (hoping) for the next leadership failure?