International Bible Teaching Ministries
The Apostles
Question 1: Did Satan work through Judas, as he did the serpent?
ANSWER: Judas permitted himself to be influenced by the devil (Luke 22:3), whereas the serpent, having no ability to choose, acted at the direction and power that Satan enjoyed at that time!
Question 2: Will Judas go to heaven or hell?
ANSWER: He will go to hell! Please read Matthew 26:24; Matthew 27:3-10; John 17:12; and Acts 1:16-25. He was referred to as the son of "perdition" (John 17:12). This word carries with it the idea of damnation, ruin, destruction, and perishing. As the "son" of perdition, he would (because of the ungodly character that resulted in his transgression) inherit perdition and all it means.
This does not mean that Judas had no choice in what he did. He was not personally coerced by God to betray Jesus. In Acts 1:25, we see that Judas "fell" by his own transgression. God does not cause any to sin! Man sins when he is drawn away of his own lusts and when lust has conceived it brings forth sin (James 1:13-15). Such was the case with Judas! Such was the case with Herod and Pilate! Neither were these men personally coerced by God to participate in the death of Christ; nor the ones who bruised Him; nor the one who pierced His side. There is no difference between these and Judas. All of these (including Judas) participated in the fulfillment of prophecy! Shall we therefore conclude that these others will not stand to be judged? No! All of them (including Judas) sinned of their own free will, and all of them (including Judas) will be judged on the basis of their own free will actions! God does not predetermine or cause particular individuals to be lost or saved, nor to engage in specific unlawful acts that would affect their eternal destiny! "For we must all (each and every individual, including Judas) appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one (including Judas) may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
The transgression of Judas (caused by his ungodly character) against Christ could have been forgiven, as were those on Pentecost (Acts 2:23; Acts 2:36-47), so long as Judas lived, had he been willing to bend his will to the Lord's. The transgression of Judas in taking his own life (caused by his ungodly character that rejected the will of God) could not be forgiven, because there is no provision or opportunity to become saved after death occurs (Hebrews 9:27). Thus he has gone "to his own place," the place of perdition!
Question 3: How did the apostles convert to Christ?
ANSWER: They were converted by obeying Him, i.e., by "following Him" according to His will! (Matthew 4:22; Mark 1:18; Luke 5:11, 28). Today, we must do the same. There is no other way! The question is sometimes asked, "were the men who became apostles of necessity immersed in water for the remission of their sins?" The answer is yes! In Romans 6:3-4, the apostle Paul said, "Know ye not that so many of 'us' as were baptized . . . Therefore, 'we' are buried with Him by baptism . . ." Also in Titus 3:5, "He saved 'us' by the washing of regeneration, . . ." Peter said in I Peter 3:21, "Baptism doth also now save 'us'." Certainly the personal pronouns "us" and "we" include the apostles themselves. Baptism was as necessary to their obedience and salvation as is ours today!
Question 4: Most of the apostles were uneducated. How did they manage to do Gospel work?
ANSWER: The apostles were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). He taught them all things, and brought all things to their remembrance, whatsoever Christ had said unto them (John 15:26). The Spirit, however, did not come to make uneducated men educated. Neither does He so do today! It is not necessary that one be highly educated to do God's work! Many faithful Christians without significant formal education have often accomplished great things in the service of God. Whatever talent has been given, one is required to use it to His glory (Matthew 25:14-30)!
Question 5: Why did the apostles decide to use assistants?
ANSWER: The men who went with the apostles to proclaim the Gospel were not assistants in a formal sense. They, too, were those involved in preaching the Gospel according to the great commission of Mark 16:15-16. The task before them was great and, undoubtedly, the apostles alone could not have accomplished the feat of taking the Gospel into all the world as was done by the time Paul wrote the book of Colossians (Colossians 1:6 & 23). That the Holy Spirit was also involved in such decisions relating to “assistants” can be seen in Acts 13:2.
Question 6: How many were chosen to go with the apostles?
ANSWER: We are not told! However, many of these "helpers" are identified in Romans 16; I Corinthians 16; Colossians 4; II Timothy 4; Titus 3; and many other passages.
Question 7: How did the apostles want to spend most of their time?
ANSWER: As they did, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ! Please read II Corinthians 11:21-33; II Timothy 4:6-8.
Question 8: What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?” Was it physical, spiritual, or both?
ANSWER: Paul’s thorn is described as being in the flesh (II Corinthians 12:7) and, therefore, physical. Though none can be absolutely certain, it appears likely that Paul was afflicted with some sort of vision impairment. Please refer to the following passages: Acts 9:1-9 & 18; Galatians 4:13-15; Galatians 6:11.
Question 9: What was the purpose of Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
ANSWER: II Corinthians 12:7-9: Two reasons; (1) That he should not be exalted above measure and, (2) That he might comprehend the all-sufficiency of God’s grace.
Question 10: How was the purpose of Paul’s thorn in the flesh accomplished?
ANSWER: That even though he bore the thorn in the flesh through life, at its end Paul could say, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (II Timothy 4:6-7).” In spite of the thorn, and the rejection by God to remove that thorn on three occasions, Paul in the humility of a man made to suffer pain and embarrassment beyond description (II Corinthians 11:23-33) for the cause of His Lord would, at the end of his work, realize, in the reception of a crown of righteousness, the all-sufficiency of the grace of God (II Timothy 4:8).
Question 11: Was Paul arrogant?
ANSWER: To so assume would be to recklessly accuse the Holy Spirit who provided the very words written by the humble Apostle (I Corinthians 2:12-13; Galatians 1:11-12). Paul gloried only in the cross of our Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:14; Galatians 5:26; I Corinthians 1:29-31).