Levend Water
The Apostle of the Reconciliation - Charles H. Welch
Index - Page 31 of 159
THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION 31
It was essential for the completeness of their testimony that there should be twelve, for that is Israel's number.
There is no need, we trust, for a list of `twelves' that pertain to Israel. The appointment of Matthias was essential to
a complete witness as to the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. In the regeneration, when the Son of man sits on
the throne of His glory, twelve thrones must be occupied by the apostles. Peter standing up in the midst of the
disciples said:
`Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled; which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David
spake before concerning Judas' (Acts 1:16).
Peter does not merely say in a casual manner that the appointment of a successor to Judas seemed in harmony
with the general tenor of Scripture, but takes a Psalm, which must have been expounded by the Lord Himself, and
facing the profound fact that David's words are the words of the Holy Ghost, proceeds to the choice of the two men,
Joseph and Matthias. Why only two? Were there not others whose knowledge and gifts and graces fitted them for
the work? Possibly there were, but a witness requires something more than ability, he needs to have been actually
present. So Peter announces the qualifications which of necessity ruled out many who had joined the band of
believers at a later time:
`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' (Acts 1:21,22).
After setting forth the two men who conformed to the requirement, Peter and the rest humbly left the choice with
the Lord:
`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 (i.e. the chosen one, Matthias) might go to his own place (i.e. his proper place as one of the twelve). And they
gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles' (Acts 1:24-
26).
All is now ready for the testimony, with the exception of one thing. The Lord had said:
`... ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost (Spirit) is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses' (Acts
1:8).
Everything was ready for the promised enduement from on high: the number was complete, the disciples were
all together waiting on the Lord. At what particular moment the promise would be fulfilled they knew not; all they
knew was that it would be `not many days hence'. We know now that it was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. There
was evidently some connection between the Feast of Pentecost and the enduement of the apostles that made the
moment significant.
Let us seek from the Word some understanding of this Feast and its place in the divine plan. The Feast of
Pentecost is best understood by turning to Leviticus 23 and noting its relation to the other Feasts of the Lord, and
seeing something of its dispensational foreshadowing.
The Feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23)
`These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons'.
A Redemption by blood
a PASSOVER (5).
b UNLEAVENED BREAD (6-8).
Seven days.
Egypt.
c FIRST FRUITS (9-14).
B Reaping
d PENTECOST (15-21).
c HARVEST (22).
d TRUMPETS (23-25).