Seventh Sunday of Easter May

24th 2009

“Why not Paul”

After our Lords Ascension, the disciples no longer had the comfort of the Lord to
give them personal directions, but they were not alone, they still had the word of God
and prayer to keep them going. At this time we can clearly see Peter taking charge, for
which I am sure he has been criticized and who was only acting on his calling from Jesus
that he was to be their leader.

But was it bad timing for them to select another Apostle? A new Apostle to take
the place of Judas, many believed it was Paul who was chosen to fill up the ranks, “But
they chose Matthias and he was never heard from again” and except for Peter and John,
none of the original twelve are mentioned by name in the Book of Acts after 1:13.

Why not Paul? He surely was favored by Christ and was very popular in his own
right but Paul could never fill the empty spot vacated by Judas. Why? Because Paul could
never meet the divine qualifications laid down in verses 21-22. Paul was not baptized by
John the Baptist; he did not travel with the apostles when Jesus was with them on earth;
and although he glorified Christ, Paul was not a witness to the resurrection as were the
original Apostles. On several occasions Paul made it quite clear that he was not to be put
in the same category as the original apostles. (Gal 1:15-24; 1 Cor. 15:8), and the Twelve
knew it. If the original apostles thought that Paul was to be one of them, they certainly
did not show it. In fact they even refused to allow Paul into their community until
Barnabas came to his rescue (Acts 9:26-27). The 12 apostles ministered primarily to the
to the 12 tribes of Israel, while Paul was sent to the Gentiles (Gal 2.1-10)

No! Paul was not meant to be the 12th apostle. Peter and the other believers were
doing the will of god when they selected Matthias and God gave His Blessing to Matthias
by empowering him with the same Spirit that was given to the other 11 that he
personally selected (Acts 2:1-4,14) It was necessary for the 12 men to witness at
Pentecost to the 12 tribes of Israel and also that 12 men be prepared to sit on 12
thrones to judge the 12 tribes. (Luke 22:28-30)
 So “Why not Paul” well, because God had other plans for Paul and those plans
helped bring the Gentiles into our Church. To bring the good news to the world (Acts 10-
11)

What next! For these 12 Apostles, they wait- Imagine this 120 disciples gathered in
a room, a small number Yes! But regardless of that fact they turned the world upside
down for Christ. IHN, tommy

Reading 1 Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26

15-Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers —there was a group of about one hundred
and twenty persons
in the one place —. 16- He said, "My brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the
Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was
the guide for those who arrested Jesus.
17-He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry.

20a-"For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

May another take his office.

21-"Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time
the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22-beginning from the baptism of John until the
day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection."
23-So they proposed two, Judas called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and
Matthias. 24-Then they prayed, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one
of these two you have chosen 25- to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which
Judas turned away to go to his own place." 26-Then they gave lots to them, and the lot
fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

Questions for discussion:

1. Why did they choose to replace Judas? When the Apostle James was martyred
(acts 12) He was not replaced. Why?
2. What has been your best experience in group prayer?
3. In light of Peter’s denial of Jesus, how might the others feel about his leadership?
4. How would the events on John 21, 15-19 calm any fears they have?

Reading II 1 John 4:11-16

11-Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. 12- No one has ever seen
God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection
in us.
13-This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his
Spirit. 14-Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of
the world. 15-Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him
and he in God. 16-We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God
is love and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.

Questions for discussion:

1. If you want to do a better job of loving others, how should you go about it?
2. In this reading what do you learn about the relationship between the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit?

Gospel John 17:11b-19

11b Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your
name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. 12-When I
was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them,
and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture
might be fulfilled. 13-But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they
may share my joy completely. 14-I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15-I do not
ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. 16-
They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17-Consecrate
them in the truth. Your word is truth.18- As you sent me into the world, so I sent them
into the world. 19-And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be
consecrated in truth."

Questions for discussion:

1. Who was the “Son of Destruction? And how was he lost?

2. Was it his own free will or was he a tool to fulfill scripture?
3. What is Jesus asking for in verse 17-what does this mean?

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