Business Meetings are To Glorify God

About every quarter we as a Church have a “Business Meeting”. As we have a business meeting planned tonight, I got to thinking about business meetings, and whether the early Church had them. They did. There are three recorded business meetings (if you would call it that) in the Book of Acts. The early Church did not possess buildings, did not have electric or water bills, and usually met regularly on Solomon’s Porch at the Temple or in private homes (see Acts 2:46; 5:42; 12:12; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2).

There was no overhead, no bank accounts.
They just met to worship God.

Today we have to have Business Meetings, and we prayerfully vote on matters that will effect out Church. I want to ask this question: In the light of Scripture,

“What should be the focus of our Business Meetings?” I believe the only right answer is, “To glorify God our Father, and to enable the Kingdom of Christ to grow”.

Tonight we’ll talk about the first business meeting of the early Church. You’ll see that …

The First Church Business Meeting Was Out Of Order

The first recorded Church business meeting is found in:

Acts 1:16-26 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 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. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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. 23 And THEY APPOINTED TWO, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And THEY PRAYED, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and APOSTLESHIP, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And THEY GAVE FORTH THEIR LOTS; and the LOT FELL UPON MATTHIAS; and HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE ELEVEN APOSTLES.

The first business meeting of the Church was called by Peter the Chief Apostle – and it was out of order. Why? Because of what Jesus ordered. Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He told His disciples (Peter among them):

Acts 1:4-8 And, being assembled together with them, {Jesus} commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST NOT MANY DAYS HENCE. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR THE SEASONS, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus’ instructions were very clear. The disciples were to WAIT. He did not ask Peter to go about replacing Judas. He did not ask Peter to do anything but WAIT, to PRAY, and to trust that God would do what He promised to do. The Power of the Church had not come.

God would not send the Holy Spirit to the Church until the Day of Pentecost (Jewish Shavuot [pronounced shah-VOO-oht]). God chose that day because Shavuot was when God gave Israel the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19-20), establishing her as God’s Covenant Nation. The Church would be empowered that very day.

Shavuotor the Feast of weeks was 50 days after Passover (Leviticus 23:15-21). During Shavuot Jews from all over the world would come to celebrate the founding of Israel at Sinai. God had a plan, and Peter as well as the other disciples were to wait on that plan. But Peter didn’t.

Peter was persuasive, and sincere in what he did. It was not his intention to do wrong. But he felt, as the leader of the Apostles, that since Judas Iscariot had dishonored the Lord by betraying him, that it would be a great thing to go ahead and replace Judas while they were waiting. But here’s the key questions:

Did Jesus as him to do that?
Did Jesus ask the Church to appoint a replacement?
Or was this just a “good idea”, Peter’s way of helping God out?

Who Actually Appoints Apostles?

Who appointed the Apostles in the first place? The Bible tells us:

Mark 3:13-14 (KJV) {Jesus} goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him WHOM HE WOULD: and they came unto Him. And HE ORDAINED TWELVE, that THEY SHOULD BE WITH HIM, and that He might send them forth to preach.

Luke 6:12-13 .. (KJV) it came to pass in those days, that {Jesus} went out into a mountain to pray, and CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER TO GOD. 13 And when it was day, HE CALLED UNTO HIM His disciples: and OF THEM HE CHOSE TWELVE, WHOM ALSO HE NAMED APOSTLES

Our Lord Jesus chose His Apostles. He chose Peter. He also chose Judas Iscariot. Jesus told them:

John 15:16 (KJV) … ye have not chosen Me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, AND ORDAINED YOU…

Did Jesus make a mistake when He chose Judas Iscariot? No, Jesus deliberately chose Judas. He said, “I have CHOSEN YOU TWELVE, and ONE OF YOU A DEVIL” (John 6:70). Why did Jesus choose Judas Iscariot, knowing that he would betray Him? Jesus gives us the answer:

John 13:18 (LSB) … I know the ones I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’

When the Messiah came, one of those closest to Him would betray Him (Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14). The Scripture said that the Messiah would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13). Jesus also knew that “his days would be few, and another would take his office” (Psalm 109:8). Jesus knew that.

He didn’t ask Peter to replace him.
The Word of God said WAIT.
Peter said “WE CAN’T WAIT”.

Peter led the Church is picking out two men, “Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias”. I am sure they were good, Godly men. Then we are told that “THEY PRAYED … And THEY GAVE FORTH THEIR LOTS; and the LOT FELL UPON MATTHIAS”. They cast lots, rolling marked stones – like dice – expecting the Lord to cause the lot to fall on the right man. God allowed Israel to cast lots in certain instances, but only as He directed.

Leviticus 16:8 Lots were used to determine the scapegoat.
Joshua 18:10 Canaan was divided by casting lots.
Jonah 1:7 Pagans cast lots to determine Jonah was at fault.
Joshua 7:14-18 the sinner Achan was uncovered by casting lots.

Jesus NEVER asked the disciples to cast lots to replace Judas. This is an Old Covenant method that the indwelling Holy Spirit will replace.

This was Peter’s idea he pushed on his church family. Sadly, the lot fell on Matthias, and “HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE ELEVEN APOSTLES”. They called Matthias an Apostle – but was he?

When Matthias was chosen by lot (an Old Covenant technique before the coming of the Holy Spirit), this is the last recorded use of casting lots. After the Holy Spirit came, we are led by the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God:

Romans 8:14-16 (LSB) For as many as are being LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THESE ARE THE SONS OF GOD. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received [the] Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

Once Matthias was ordained, he is never mentioned again in Scripture, nor in Church history. I am sure that God never penalized Matthias – but it is as if he is ignored completely by God. We know about the other Apostles:

Peter died a martyr’s death (John 21:18-19)
James (son of Zebedee) was executed by the sword (Acts 12:1-2)
Andrew was crucified in Greece
Thomas was killed by spear in Mylapore
Philip was killed in Hierapolis, death unknown
Bartholomew (Nathaniel) was beaten to death and beheaded
Matthew was stabbed to death in Ethiopia or Persia
James (son of Alphaeus) was thrown from the Temple
Thaddaeus (Jude) was killed in Persia
Simon the Zealot was sawn in half
Judas Iscariot hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5)
John died a natural death somewhere from 90-100 years old.

What about Matthias? No one really knows about his life, his contribution to the Church, or his death. Was he martyred, or did he die in bed? There are no reliable accounts that tell us anything about him. You know why?

Because Jesus Christ chose Paul the Apostle.

Galatians 1:1 (ESV) Paul, AN APOSTLE—NOT FROM MEN NOR THROUGH MAN, but THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and God the Father, who raised him from the dead–

Jesus called Paul an Apostle. Jesus told Ananias, “Paul is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). He was hand picked, and given the message of the Gospel directly by God:

Galatians 1:11-12 (ESV) For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I DID NOT RECEIVE IT FROM ANY MAN, nor was I taught it, but I RECEIVED IT THROUGH A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

Matthias was chosen by an Old Covenant method, without the direction of the Word of God. He was not chosen by Jesus. Jesus chose Paul. God is in control. We exist as a Church to glorify Jesus, not ourselves.

I had someone call me the other day and ask me to do something that I felt the Spirit of God telling me to say NO! When I told him that I would pray for him, but that no, I would not be available for what he wanted me to do, he remarked:

“Brother, you NEVER say no to God”

I wasn’t saying no to God. I was saying no to this man and his desires. I live to glorify the Lord Jesus, not to please others – even if they are sincere in what they think. As we go into our business meeting let us understand that we are here …