Reading:
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. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained
part of this ministry. 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. 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. 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. Wherefore of these men which have companied
with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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. And they
appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and
Matthias. And they prayed, and said,
Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these
two thou hast chosen, That he may take
part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell,
that he might go to his own place. And
they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered
with the eleven apostles.
Commentary:
Jesus says here that His believers, His disciples,
will do greater works than Jesus' own miracles of healing the body. How could this be? By His grace it is true, we do greater works
than Jesus' own healing of the body, when we speak the Gospel to the healing of
the soul. When we direct lost sinners to
Christ, when we preach and teach Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life, that all sins are forgiven through Him, by His body and blood, these
words have the power to convert and quicken the unbeliever to faith. These words, God's Gospel words of comfort in
Christ, truly deliver both body and soul from hell, so that the converted can
see and receive Christ who said, "Today thou shalt be with me in
paradise." Thus let us be greatly
comforted that God through His Means of Grace, has given us His Comforter, the
Holy Spirit, who comforts the hearts of all who believe His message of
peace. We now through Christ have true
fellowship with God, and as the Father lived in Jesus, so Jesus and His Spirit
and the Father dwell in our hearts by faith.
That is how we know and believe Christ crucified for our sins. His Spirit has taught us. "Ye know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
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