What about the 120 from Acts 1?

 

 Introduction

In this final article on the study on miracles, we’re going to look at one of the reasons why so many people think that miracles are still happening even today. It’s a charismatic movement that involves those present in Acts chapter 1.

 

First, Let’s Review

Before we touch on this subject, let’s review what we’ve previously learned.

As we saw in the previous studies, the power of the Holy Spirit was given only two ways. First, it was through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-3; 10:44-45). Second, it was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:14-15; 2 Tim. 1:6).

Since there are no apostles living today, then we can conclude that no one can receive the power of the Holy Spirit that way. And, since the bible is complete (1 Cor. 8:10; Jas. 1:25), we can conclude that the Holy Spirit isn’t baptizing anyone either.

As the apostle Paul stated, Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). This confirms that miracles have indeed ceased.

 

Judas’ Replacement

Beginning in verse 13; after Jesus’ ascension, it reads, And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty) (vs. 13-15).

This part of chapter one has to do with the selection of Judas Iscariot’s replacement. Since he committed suicide, his spot was to be filled. This was prophesized in Ps. 69:25, Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents. And again, in Psalms 109:8, Let his days be few, And let another take his office.

The scene continues with the selection of two names from which the spot would be filled, "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, "beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:21-23). And the scene concludes with Matthias being the one selected to be among the 12 (vs. 26).

 

The 120 Mentioned

Now, here is where the charismatic movement becomes involved. In verse 15 there is mentioned that there were 120 people gathered together. From this, certain religious people believe that all 120 obtained the spiritual gifts and that is why miracles are still being done today.

From Acts 2:1, this seems like it was so, When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. However, verse 14 contradicts that, But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice (Acts 2:14). If all 120 received the Holy Spirit, then why didn’t all of them stand? It’s true that the 12 apostles were the “frontrunners” but if they all had the spiritual gifts, then all of them should have stood.

 

Who all Received the Promise?

Going one step further, we ask the question, to whom did Jesus promise the Holy Spirit? Since we know that Luke wrote the book of Acts (Acts 1:1; Lk. 1:3), we’ll follow his line of thought in Luke chapter 24.

After Jesus’ resurrection, and before His ascension, He appeared to the eleven, So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." (Luke 24:33-36)

In the next few verses (44-48), He reminded them of the things that He taught them and told them to tarry in Jerusalem and that they would be His witnesses. Going back to Acts 1, the scene is continued, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen (Acts 1:2).

This shows that it was only the 12 apostles that were baptized with the Holy Spirit and not all 120. 12 were chosen and 12 carried out His mission.

 

Conclusion

As Paul had stated, the miracles had ceased, and they are not being performed today. They were simply a tool given until the bible was completed (Jas. 1:25). Now that we have it, we no longer need miracles.

Again, as Paul writes to the church in Rome, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16). Jesus even spoke of this in Luke 4:43, but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

The gospel is what saves man from his sins. Miracles never did and never will. Open your heart and mind and read the scriptures for yourself. Again, Paul writes, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).