'That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship,
from which Judas by transgression fell,
that he might go to his own place.'
(Act 1:25)
Hello Chris.
OK. if you want to submit individual passages about Judas, I will share what I know.
As basis of my study resources, I use a King James Bible and my concordance is James Strongs.
When I post from Strong a word definition it will be
underlined and
italicized.
And sometimes it's necessary to do some original thinking about a word definition and when I come to such situation I will say so.
Let me now address the passages you have posted.
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. Acts 1:25.
ministry: [#1248] diakonia from [#1249] (diakonos);
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figurative (eleemosynary)
aid, (official)
service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technical of the
diaconate)
"Diakonia" is where we get the English word "deacon." It is also stated here:
PAUL and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and
deacons: Philippians 1:1.
The same word is used here translated "ministration."
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily
ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and
serve tables. Acts 6:1–2.
As a rule "bishops" or "elders" is a spiritual office. Saul, being a Pharisee and an elder (someone over the age 50 and some say 55) qualifies in Hebrew culture as an "elder." In this patriarchal structure the father was head of a family and the firstborn son as immediate heir. If father died or was incapacitated and couldn't head-up the family the adult firstborn son would fill the spot. And a bar mitzvah (age 12) was when a son would have adult responsibilities such as being able to participate in Scripture discussion as Jesus was in the Temple among other things. The grandfather was also at one time head of the family but when fatherhood exists in a family the grandfather was figurehead. In American culture some adult responsibilities were conferred at 16 (driving) but mostly at age 18 (vote, etc.)
Since all Saul knew was eldership in the Jews religion after he founded a church (and the locations in the NT (Corinth, Ephesus, etc.) were already founded by someone else), Saul would leave an aged person (elder) to give oversight of a fellowship. Thus, Saul patterned a Jewish church fellowship after the Sanhedrin structure of elders (of the people) when he would depart. So, elders were the aged persons and anyone under the age of an actual elder in this culture was then an overseer/bishop or episkopas. OK. Back to Judas.
As you can see the word "diakonos/deacon" were chosen in Acts 6:1-2 not to provide spiritual oversight but served a natural function in a fellowship, such as given in Acts 6 as someone who 'waited tables.' A natural function. This leads me to believe what peter was doing in Act 1:15-26 was not appointing an apostle but someone to "hold the bag" a natural function. Still, Peter was in disobedience because the Lord told him to "tarry" or "wait" and the word carries with it the idea of to not doing anything 'official.' To teach in the Jewish culture one would sit down as Jesus did when He taught. Standard body position. But to officiate in some capacity one "stands up," and in verse 15 Peter "STOOD UP!" He disobeyed.
So, the capacity for which the disciples drew lots was for a natural function and since Judas "held the bag" it is more plausible that they were choosing out a treasurer, not an apostle.
apostleship: [#651] apostolē from [#649] (apostello);
commission, i.e. (special)
apostolate.
The word "apostolē" occurs four times in the NT. all translated "apostleship." The KJV translators use the word "apostleship" which can be misleading. It makes one think of "apostle." But Peter is only communicating a "commission" which is what a diakonos/deacon would be. Someone, as in Acts 6:2, to serve tables. This would identify someone at a church back room giving out food to the people or at a function serving as a waiter. This is a natural function even though the disciples sought and chose out seven filled with the Holy Spirit, which would be necessary to the need of common sense and some wisdom to deal with the controversy of Jews and Greeks at the tables and the inequality over food. But it does not disqualify someone, say an unsaved family member who likes Christians and wouldn't mind the work.
Now, it says, "Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." But it doesn't identify what that place is. Most Christians without any evidence immediately say "hell." But it can also mean Abraham's Bosom. It can also mean the following.
28 And Jesus said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Mt 19:28.
Jesus spoke of this. This would be "his own place, his own throne." Jesus is speaking to the twelve disciples. One surely can't judge the twelve tribes of Israel with eleven disciples in heaven and one in "hell" can he? This takes place after Armageddon when Jesus sits on the throne of His glory, most likely the throne of David, or in eternity when everything is said and done. Here, Jesus is describing a "place" for Judas. But Acts 1:25 doesn't say what Peter is referring. We can't make something up where a passage is silent and Peter doesn't say what "his own place" is. But Jesus did.
Hello
@jeremiah1five,
We are told in the verse (above) that Judas fell from the ministry and apostleship to which he had been called, by transgression, He was a traitor (Luke 6:16). That he repented is a matter of record (Matt.27:3). That the words of our Lord regarding him came true, is also on record, for he came to a horrible end.
'The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him:
but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!
it had been good for that man if he had not been born.'
(Mat 26:24)
The depth of Judas' grief must have been insurmountable. He thinks He's doing a good thing later to find out the priests betrayed him as well.
The word "woe" merely means "grief." There is no eternal assignment given to this word.
But let's see what would have happened had he not been born. There would be eleven disciples. No one to betray Jesus, he would not be arrested, had an illegal trial, been condemned, suffered, crucified, and we'd all still be in our sins with no atonement. Sure, that is facetious. God would have ordained someone else to take Judas' place. Maybe someone named Peter? Or Yitzak, or Herbert. The thing is Judas was merely a guide. His sin was a simple leading others to a secret place Jesus took the twelve known only to them to get away from the crowds for some R&R.
What judgment God makes regarding Judas, in that day when the secrets of men's hearts will be revealed, is not told us; and it is not for us to speculate. As far as where he is now, he is dead and buried, his spirit having gone back to God Who gave it, and only the power of the resurrection can raise him up, in that day of God's choosing.
Hell being the grave, the place of the dead.
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
There is no speculation in my response.
The question is will you honestly look at what I have provided straight from Scripture.
Any more Scripture on your mind? As I said, my study was exhaustive. Having biblical doctrine rightly divided I am able to apply those doctrines along with Scripture on Judas to come away with the truth.
And all this is 100% verifiable.
