Acts 1:17

Letters to the Faithful - Acts 1:17

Berean Standard Bible

He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”

King James Bible

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

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To the saints scattered abroad, called by grace, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and sealed with the Spirit of promise—to those who stand in the shadow of the cross and the light of the resurrection, who await the return of the King and labor still in the vineyard of His great commission—grace and peace be multiplied to you through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Risen One, the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead. May this letter find you rooted in faith, increasing in love, and abounding in the hope that does not disappoint.

Let us turn our hearts soberly and reflectively to a verse found in the first chapter of Acts, spoken in a solemn moment of remembrance and reordering. The words are these: “For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” These words refer to Judas Iscariot, spoken by Peter as the early church prepared to fill the vacancy left by his betrayal. Though simple in form, they carry a weight of instruction and warning for every believer and minister who walks in the sacred call of Christ.

He was numbered among us. He walked with us. He ate the bread that we ate. He saw the miracles. He heard the Master’s voice. He was not merely a bystander to the ministry—he had a part in it. He was given a share in the sacred work of Christ’s earthly mission. He cast out demons. He healed the sick. He preached the kingdom. He was not an outsider—he was counted as one of us. Yet in the end, he did not finish with us. Though chosen and entrusted, though appointed and empowered, Judas turned aside.

This verse, and the tragic story it evokes, stands as a stark reminder to all who bear the name of Jesus and share in His work: proximity to Christ is not the same as perseverance in Christ. A calling can be real, but it must be walked out in obedience. A ministry can be assigned, but it must be carried out with integrity. Gifts may function, but the heart must remain pure. Judas had every opportunity, every revelation, every shared moment with the Son of God—but his heart wandered from devotion to ambition, from faith to disillusionment, and finally from life to death.

We do not write these things to breed fear, but holy sobriety. The early church, even in its infancy, understood that a place in ministry is not merely a privilege—it is a responsibility, a stewardship, a test of character as much as calling. There are many today who are numbered among the people of God, even involved in the works of the kingdom, and yet whose hearts are adrift. This verse calls us to examine ourselves, not with condemnation, but with reverence. Have we confused activity for intimacy? Do we carry the title but not the truth? Are we walking in step with the Spirit, or simply in the motion of religion?

It is possible to be allotted a share in ministry and still forfeit the reward. Judas had a portion, but not a persevering heart. He became entangled with disappointment, with greed, with control. He thought he could force the hand of Jesus or bend the kingdom to his own image. And when his plan collapsed, he despaired instead of repenting. Let none of us follow that path. When our expectations are shaken, let us return to the Lord. When conviction comes, let us yield to it. When temptation knocks, let us run to the cross.

For every believer, whether layperson or leader, this verse compels a question: What are you doing with the share you have been given? You have a part in the ministry of Christ. You have been numbered among the saints, counted among the disciples, entrusted with the message of reconciliation. You may not stand in a pulpit, but you carry the Word in your mouth. You may not have a title, but you have a testimony. You may not have a global platform, but you are called to be faithful with what has been placed in your hand.

Do not despise your portion. Do not compare it with another’s. Do not envy what seems greater or look down on what seems small. The same Lord who appointed Peter, who restored him after his denial, also called Judas. The same Lord who saw the potential in each man also knew the outcome. But He is just, and He is merciful, and He invites all to walk faithfully. Judas was not fated to fall—he chose it. And each of us must choose daily to walk in truth, to abide in Christ, to remain surrendered, lest we, too, fall from our post.

Let us therefore approach this sacred trust with fear and trembling. Let pastors shepherd with purity. Let teachers speak with grace and accuracy. Let intercessors weep between the porch and the altar. Let evangelists preach Christ crucified and risen. Let each member of the body walk worthy of the calling they have received. Let us encourage one another daily, so that none may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Let us bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap—if we do not give up.

And should any stumble, let us not cast them away as Judas cast himself away. Let us extend mercy. Let us call for repentance. Let us labor to restore, knowing that we ourselves stand only by grace. For though Judas turned aside, Peter returned. Though one betrayed and was lost, another denied and was restored. The difference was not in the failure, but in the response to conviction.

Finally, brothers and sisters, let us never forget that we are numbered among something far greater than ourselves. We are counted not merely among a church gathering, but among a heavenly assembly. We are given a share not in a human organization, but in the eternal kingdom. This ministry is not our own—it is Christ’s. And He has entrusted it to jars of clay, that the surpassing power might be known to be of God and not of us.

May we walk worthy of this calling. May we finish our course with joy. May we never take lightly the privilege of being numbered among the redeemed. And may we, unlike Judas, be found faithful unto the end.

To Him who called us, who sustains us, and who will present us faultless before His throne, be all glory, majesty, dominion, and power, now and forevermore.

Amen.

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O Most High and Righteous Father, God of all wisdom, mercy, and truth, we come before You with trembling hearts and bowed spirits. You are the Eternal One, who knows the end from the beginning, who searches hearts and weighs intentions. You are the God who calls and who assigns, who appoints men and women to places of ministry not by the measure of human merit but according to the counsel of Your sovereign will. And yet You are also the God who requires faithfulness from those whom You entrust, who watches not only the works of our hands but the posture of our hearts. You are holy, and You desire holiness in those who serve.

Today we remember a solemn truth, that not all who are numbered among Your workers endure until the end. We recall the heavy words spoken by Peter, that there was one who was counted among them, who shared in the ministry, who walked beside Your Son, who handled the sacred, yet who turned aside. Lord, we tremble as we remember Judas. He was numbered among the twelve. He was appointed to the ministry. He carried the purse, he walked with the Word made flesh, he heard the same teachings and saw the same miracles. He broke bread at Your table. And yet his heart did not remain in Your hand. Though chosen, he turned. Though empowered, he betrayed. Though gifted, he became a warning to generations.

O God, keep us. Keep us from presumption. Keep us from pride. Keep us from deception. Let not our nearness to holy things deceive us into thinking we are safe if our hearts drift far from You. Let not our labor for You substitute for intimacy with You. Let not our outward ministry mask an inward erosion of love, devotion, and truth. You are not impressed by our titles. You are not moved by our performance. You are looking for hearts that are loyal, spirits that are broken, and souls that will remain faithful even when tempted by gold, by power, or by disillusionment.

Lord, we do not stand today to judge Judas, but to examine ourselves. How many times have we, too, betrayed You—not with silver, but with compromise? Not with a kiss, but with silence? Not in a garden, but in the secret places of our minds and motives? And yet You are merciful. You warn, You convict, You call. You shine Your light before judgment falls. So today we answer that call. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Try us and know our thoughts. See if there be any way in us that grieves Your Spirit. Cleanse us. Heal us. Restore us.

We ask for holy endurance. Not only to start well, but to finish faithfully. Not only to be numbered among Your servants, but to be proven as sons and daughters who love You above all. May we never take for granted the ministry You have entrusted to us—whether it be preaching, praying, serving, giving, or simply being present to encourage another. Every portion You have allotted is holy. Every gift is sacred. Let us carry it with reverence.

We pray for every heart that has grown weary in the work. For every soul who has served but now struggles. For those who are tempted to turn aside, as Judas did—may they hear Your voice calling them back. May they be reminded that Your mercy still flows, that repentance is still possible, that restoration is still offered. Do not let them believe the lie that failure is final. Draw them, O Lord, before the enemy devours them with shame. May the spirit of Peter rise within them—to weep, to return, and to be restored.

And we pray for Your Church, O God, that she would walk in purity and not in pretense. Let us not idolize giftedness while ignoring godliness. Let us not elevate charisma above character. Let us not value public influence over private integrity. Raise up shepherds who tremble before Your Word. Raise up intercessors who weep between porch and altar. Raise up servants who carry towels more quickly than microphones. Raise up believers who love truth more than applause. Let the ministry of Your house be filled with those whose hearts are fully Yours.

We plead with You, Father—do not let us be numbered among the ones who had a share, but not a finish. Do not let us become a warning to others, when You desire us to be a witness. Guard our hearts with holy fire. Strengthen our resolve with divine grace. Let Your Spirit dwell in us richly, correcting, guiding, sustaining, and preserving.

And finally, Lord, we pray this not only for ourselves, but for the generations to come. Let the children in our midst grow up seeing faithfulness, not just excitement. Let young ministers be discipled in purity, not merely in performance. Let our legacy not be built on personality, but on the fear of the Lord. May the testimony of our lives be this: they were called, they were faithful, and they finished.

To the only wise God, the Keeper of covenant, the Giver of grace, and the One who watches over every soul assigned to His work—we yield our hearts, our ministry, and our future. Strengthen us, Lord, that we may be found faithful when we stand before You. May we never take lightly what You have given. May we always remember that to be numbered is not the same as to be faithful, and that to be allotted a share is not the same as to steward it with holy fear.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness, the Shepherd of our souls, and the soon-coming King, we pray.

Amen.