Acts 1:15-26, "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,) {16} 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." --- V. 20, "For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric 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>, show 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."

A. This was one of the First Business Meeting in a Baptist Church.

1. No doubt, many of Our Business Meetings are conducted the same way.

2. There are many actions taken by our churches today In The Name of Doing The Lord's Work that God Has Nothing To Do With.

B. Now, notice the call of the Twelve.

Mark 3:13-14, "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth <unto him> whom he would: and they came unto him. {14} And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,"

I. Throughout The Ensuing History of The Church There Has Been Lively Discussion As To Whether Peter Was Right or Wrong In Acting As He Did.

A. Some think that Peter was Right.

1. Peter Knew The Scriptures and placed a Very High Value On Them.

a. Psalms 41:9, "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up <his> heel against me."

b. Psalms 109:8, "Let his days be few; <and> let another take his office."

2. He want to Follow The Scriptures --- the "Scriptures Must Needs Be Fulfilled".

3. They Selected Only Those who Met All The Scripture Qualifications.

4. He Prayed Before casting lots & making the decision.

5. Can you do all this and still Not be in the will of God.

a. Can a person Sincerely Study The Scriptures and still be Mistaken?

b. Can you Sincerely Pray about a matter and still do it Wrong?

c. Be Careful how you answer these questions!

B. Others (including me) think that he was Wrong.

1. That he Acted Carnally, and that he was Impulsive and Not Directed By The Holy Spirit.

2. The Principle (Method) of Selection was Wrong.

a. None of the other apostles were selected or appointed By Man.

b. God Himself Called and Appointed and Ordained all the other apostles.

C. Remember, there are to be Only Twelve Apostles, not Thirteen.

Revelation 21:14, "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

D. Paul spent much of his ministry Defending His Apostleship --- and Still Must Do So.

Romans 1:1, "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called <to be> an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God," --- 11:13, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:"

1 Corinthians 1:1, "Paul, called <to be> an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, ..." 9:1, "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? ..."

In other words, "I Have Met The Same Requirements The Other Apostles Met"

--- 15:9, "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

(Paul May Be The Least, But He Is An Apostle)

2 Corinthians 1:1, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, ..."

Galatians 1:1, "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)"

Paul was Not Voted On By Man, there were No Lots Cast.

Ephesians 1:1, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, ..."

Colossians 1:1, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, ..."

1 Timothy 1:1, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, <which is> our hope;" --- 2:7, "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, <and> lie not;) ..."

2 Timothy 1:1, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, ..." --- V. 11, "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."

Titus 1:1, "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, ..."

II. The Holy Spirit Recorded This Incident Because of The Valuable Lesson We Need To Learn In Relation To Church Administration!

A. The Business of The Church Must Always Be Conducted In The Atmosphere of Prayer.

1. It is Only In This Way that we can Know The Mind of God --- and Enjoy the Unity of The Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:16, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

2. Job, a righteous and upright man, thought he knew the mind of God but listen to God question him!

Job 38:4-6, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. {5} Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? {6} Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;"

3. God is the Director of His work --- therefore, it is Essential for us to know His Mind in order that we may do His Will.

4. All this Emphasises the Supreme Importance of the Prayer-Life of The Church.

a. When there is No prayer --- there is No blessing.

b. When there is Little prayer --- there is Little blessing.

c. When there is More prayer --- there is More blessing.

d. When there is Much prayer --- there is Much blessing.

5. However, Prayer Is Not Enough!

B. You Must Have The Mind of Christ & The Unity of The Spirit!

1. Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

2. Ephesians 4:2-3, "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; {3} Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

a. You Can't Be Happy Without Being Holy --- You Can't Be Holy Without Being Humble.

b. Likewise, you can't know the Mind of Christ and the Unity of The Spirit without Humility.

c. Lowliness, Meekness, Longsuffering & Forbearing of each other's opinions must characterize your life.

3. We must not follow the Reasoning of Our Minds --- we must not Limit God.

4. We must get rid of our --- Pride --- Independnet Spirit.

C. The Church Must Guard Against Making Her Own Plans And Then Asking God's Blessing Upon Them.

1. The Business of The Church is Not our business --- it Is God's Business

2. We Cannot Limit God to what We Think He must do.

Acts 1:21, "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us ..." --- V. 24, "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all <men>, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,"

3. What Right or Authority did they have to "Limit God" to "These Two"?

4. God's plans may go Beyond Our Imagination.

5. Can you imagine what would have been said if someone had suggested A Third Person to be considered ---

such as Saul of Tarus ...

a. You may say, "But They Didn't Know that Saul was going to be converted on the road to Damascus.

b. That's true --- their Timing Was Also Wrong.

c. God Had Told Them To Tarry --- He did not tell them to go into a business meeting and vote on what God should do.

D. God Already Has A Plan For His Church And His Work --- And It Might Be Different From Ours!

1. Jeremiah 10:23, "O LORD, I know that the way of man <is> not in himself: <it is> not in man that walketh to direct his steps."

2. James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all <men> liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."