God’s Word Fulfilled – Acts 1:15-26

by Pastor John Fredericksen

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In the 1660’s, Robert Boyle predicted “the cure of diseases from a distance or at least by transplantation.” In 1865, Jules Verne predicted the moon landing in his book From The Earth To The Moon. He even predicted a rocket being launched from Florida, weightlessness in space, and the number of astronauts aboard. While these predictions are amazing, the greatest predictions in the world are recorded in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there are hundreds of predictions that literally came true.

In Acts Chapter 1, we have an example of a divine prediction that was fulfilled, just as God promised. “Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, “…men and brethren, this Scripture needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas…For he was numbered with us … Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder…” (Acts 1:18). Peter was referring to Psalm 41:9, which says, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” The Savior referred to this passage in John 13:18, where He specified that He chose one to be close to Him, who would betray Him, “that the Scripture may be fulfilled.” We should NOT conclude that the Lord Jesus compelled Judas to betray Him. God never commandeers the free will of any man, woman, or child. Instead, God would have us understand that, in His omnipotent and omniscient power, He knows all things even before they happen. Therefore, He can predict in Scripture everything in detail, and His words will always come to pass. Isaiah 46:9-10 states it this way: “…for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand. ”

These words were intended to be a comfort to the disheartened Jewish believers of Christ who anticipated an immediate, victorious establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. They could rest in the truth that God was in control and would yet fulfill every promise the Savior made to them. We today can also rest confidently in every promise He gives to us, the Body of Christ.


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Start each day with short, devotional articles taken from the book Daily Transformation by Pastor John Fredericksen. As Pastor Fredericksen writes in the introduction:

"We welcome you, as you journey with us..., to not only learn information, but to benefit from examples of faith and failure, and seek to apply God’s Word to every day life. Together, let’s transition from only studying theories of doctrine, to applying God’s truths in a practical way every day. May God use these studies to help you find daily transformation."