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Study 4 JUDAS ISCARIOT: HIS TERRIBLE BETRAYAL (Scripture Portion: Acts 1: 15-26) The story of Judas is one of the sad stories in the Bible. We think of Cain, who slew his brother (Genesis 4:1-10); of David, who committed the two-fold sin of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11:1-27); of the Rich Young Ruler and his refusal (Luke 18:18-25); of Ananias and Sapphira, who committed the sin of deception (Acts 5:1-11) –- but the saddest story of all is that of Judas Iscariot, for his story and his end are full of ignominy and shame. The history of this man is told in the four gospels, and it is gathered up in the first chapter of Acts, verses 15-26. We shall confine our study to a consideration of this latter portion. 1 . Judas never was a converted man . Always remember that the story of Judas is not the story of a backslider. Acts 1:25 tells us that Judas “left” –- but he did not leave being a Christian, for he never was one. He left his privileged office and position among the apostles. T

Study 3 PETER: HIS TRAGIC DOWNFALL (Scripture Portion: Luke 22: 31-62) It seems too bad that of all the wonderful things we are told about the apostle Peter we should choose for our study the one incident which shows him up in his worst light! However we have chosen this particular study in order that it may prove to be a warning to us, for we are all in danger of failing as Peter did. No-one is immune from the possibility of a spiritual downfall. If Peter is the best loved apostle, (as he is to many), surely the reason is that he was intensely human, as we are! He was impulsive and impetuous, as we are! He made mistakes and spoke unwisely, as we do! These very things about Peter, the unlearned, rather rough, clumsy fisherman, are the very things which attract us to him. What sad reading Luke 22:31-62 makes, for it tells of Peter’s downfall. Read it carefully and remember two things: 1 . The First Step : SELF - CONFIDENCE Does not verse 33 suggest over-confidence? And Peter said