Monday, August 29, 2011

The 40 Days of Teaching and Matthias Replaces Judas

Today I read The Acts 1. The Acts, it is commonly accepted, was written by Luke, the same Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke. He accompanies Paul on many of his journeys and it is my understanding in this way is able to catch up on all that he had missed prior to that point. In chapter 1 the Apostles replace Judas Iscariot and choose another Apostle to be a witness of Jesus' resurrection, as Peter puts it.

But before that, Luke records that Jesus was with His Apostles for 40 days, preparing them, and teaching them. Now, this one single line in a verse in the New Testament has caused a LOT of confusion among the Christian world. Many different religions have very differing opinions on the matter of what went on during those 40 days. I will admit that I gave it much thought myself over the years and I have come to a conclusion. About the only thing that makes sense to me as to what was taught during those 40 days, would have to be the temple ordinances.

Think about it, Paul mentions in a letter to the Saints in Corinth about baptisms for the dead. But that is the first and only time it is mentioned in all of the Bible. So where did they learn about it since we have never heard of them doing it before? How did the Apostles, which were so wet behind the ears if you will, that when Jesus was telling them plainly about His death and resurrection and they didn't understand, suddenly become these powerhouses of faith and knowledge? Peter, who was always very zealous sure, has suddenly become quite level headed and performing miracles left and right and is able to lead a church that spans 2 continents. How is such a transformation achieved?

It is no secret among Latter-day Saints who have been to the temple that the ordinances performed there change you. It imparts knowledge and sacred covenants are made and as one keeps those covenants, they are blessed by our Father who is in Heaven. I can think of almost nothing else that would so completely prepare these men for their task of leading the church without Jesus there to guide them besides temple ordinances. Perhaps I'm wrong and perhaps Jesus was teaching them administrative things and how to run a church in His name, but I doubt it. For one thing, if that were the case, why wasn't it widely known? What Jesus taught the Apostles and perhaps others was not recorded in any book of scripture that we have today and many Christian churches throughout the years used that to their advantage stating that they had the lost 40 days teachings the Jesus gave to His Apostles. But honestly, if you want to know what Jesus taught His Apostles, just go to the temple and perform the sacred ordinances, and you'll know.

The last half of the chapter are the 11 Apostles choosing another Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. Here is an example of what I was just talking about. Impulsive, reckless Peter showing a quite levelheaded approach to things, guiding the Apostles in that which they need to do. They chose from a group of men who had been with them from the beginning, meaning the baptism of Jesus at the hand of John according to Peter, all the way down to His death. One of the disciples who had believed and stuck with Jesus through it all. They eventually narrow down the choices to 2 men and cast lots as they put it after saying a prayer and Matthias is chosen.

This single act shows a spiritual maturity and levelheadedness that we just haven't seen out of the Apostles prior to this point. Prior to this Jesus was having to spoon feed the Apostles the Gospel and now it is the Apostles feeding others, in the course of just one chapter! So what had changed? Again, the 40 days Jesus spent with them. There certainly must have been some administrative knowledge on how to run the church imparted to them however otherwise why would they have thought to replace Judas Iscariot and make sure they had 12 Apostles? But I don't think it took the entire 40 days.

It is also interesting to me that the way they chose the Apostles is in keeping with the method of receiving revelation that God has given us. First they studied it out in their minds, meaning out of the 120 some odd men and women there they narrowed it down to just 2 choices. Then they took the matter to God in prayer asking them to help them know His will and then cast lots based on who they thought the Lord wanted. This is a perfect example of how to obtain revelation from God. We have to first do our part then go to God with what we have done and ask for help and confirmation. The Apostles have truly matured indeed. Until tomorrow.

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