Was Matthias or Paul God's choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle? Was Matthias or Paul God's choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle? Subscribe to our Question of the Week : Question: "Was Matthias or Paul God's choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle?" Answer: With Judas having betrayed Christ and then committing suicide, the 11 remaining disciples decided to replace Judas with a new 12th apostle (Acts 1:16-20). The requirements were that the man had to have been with them the entire time of Jesus’ ministry, and to have been a witness of the resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:21-22). The 11 disciples proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (possibly the same person as Barnabas), and Matthias (Acts 1:23). The 11 disciples then prayed for the Lord’s direction (Acts 1:24-25), and then cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias (Acts 1:26). But, was this the Lord’s choice?

Some propose that Paul, not Matthias, was God’s choice for the 12th apostle. They argue that Jesus had told the apostles to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and that casting lots is not how the disciples should have made the decision. They also point out that Matthias is never again mentioned in the New Testament, while Paul obviously became very prominent in the early Christian church. So, are they correct that Paul, not Matthias, was God’s choice to be Judas’ replacement as the 12th apostle? The New Testament nowhere condones or condemns the way the apostles made the decision in Acts 1. Casting lots was a biblically allowed method of making a decision (Proverbs 16:33). And, while Matthias is never again mentioned in the New Testament, the same can be said for most of the other 11 apostles. Church history records that Matthias died as a martyr for Christ, as did all of the other apostles, except John. Yes, Paul was definitely more prominent than Matthias, but Paul was more prominent than any of the 12 apostles, except for perhaps Peter and John.

Also, Paul would not have been qualified based on the apostles’ criteria (Acts 1:21-22). So, a conclusive biblical case cannot be made for the 11 apostles’ choice of Matthias being invalid. Further, God is sovereign. If it was not His sovereign will for Matthias to be chosen, Matthias would not have been chosen. It could be argued that, while it was God’s sovereign will (what He ordained) for Matthias to be chosen, it was God’s perfect will (what He desired) for the apostles to wait for Paul. But, this would be pure speculation, as, again, the Bible nowhere condemns Matthias being chosen for the 12th apostle. So, what name will be written on the 12th foundation in the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14)? The Bible does not explicitly say, but it likely will be Matthias. Ultimately, though, we will have to wait to find out.

Acts 1:15-26 Appointment of Matthias as replacement for Judas Iscariot 'Let another take his office.'ï¿½ 21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 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." 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias.

And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ NKJV Facts Revealed: V Twelve Apostles had been appointed by Jesus Himself.ï¿½ï¿½ [Luke 6:12-13, Matthew 10:2-4] V The criterion for selection had been given by Jesusï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [John 15:27] V The end result for the Apostles is to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel , so there is a need for twelve Apostles in number.ï¿½ï¿½ [Matthew 19:28] ï¿½ They needed to have been with Jesus from the beginning (the Baptism of John), and eyewitnesses of the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus.ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [John 15:27, Acts 1:21-22] V The number of those waiting in the Upper Room had grown to 120 persons including the women.ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [Acts 1:15] V Judas had been among the Apostles appointed by Jesus,

 but had fallen from his Apostleship and lost his salvation when he betrayed Jesus and perished with a curse according to prophecy of David and of Jesus.ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [Matthew 26:24, Mark 14:21, Luke 22:22, Psalm 109:8] ï¿½ Prophetic Scripture again is fulfilled.

V Judas had gone to his place in perdition according Jesus and Peter.ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [John 17:12, Acts 1:25] V Peter again demonstrated his leadership qualities. V Two candidates were selected by the Apostles. V The choice between them was done by prayer and casting of lots. V Matthias was selected and appointed to replace Judas Iscariot. Bible Study - The Man Who Replaced Judas Questions? Search all 6,500+ Bible studies on this website. Just type in topic word(s) or a question. Due to extensive use of high-quality maps and illustrations, this educational website is best-viewed with a minimum screen-resolution width of 1280 pixels The Man Who Replaced Judas by Wayne Blank Matthias, an abbreviated form of Mattathias, meaning a gift of God, was a disciple of Jesus Christ who was among those who witnessed everything from the ministry of John The Baptist to Christ's ascension.

Although Matthias is mentioned specifically by name only once in The Bible , he most certainly played a prominent role in the early church after having been selected to replace Judas Iscariot among The Twelve Apostles , and he most certainly will, as the Scriptures below make plain, be a prominent member of the Kingdom of God. The Choosing Of Matthias "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet [shown in the photograph, see also The Mount Of Olives ], which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew , Philip and Thomas , Bartholomew and Matthew , James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." (see Mary's Other Children? ) "In those days Peter stood up among the brethren, the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty, and said, "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David [i.e.

King David ], concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry." "Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood." "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and 'His office let another take.'" "So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that The Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection." "And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

And they prayed and said, "Lord, Who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles." (Acts 1:12-26 RSV) Why Was A Replacement Apostle Needed? The Twelve Apostles served the Gospel's purpose in their human lifetime, but they will also have a major role to play in the Kingdom of God: "You are those who have continued with Me in My trials; and I assign to you, as My Father assigned to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:28-30 RSV) "And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:10-14 RSV) Fact Finder: What caused Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus Christ? Who was the 12th Apostle Who was the 12th Apostle? There are only twelve Many Christians believe that Paul was God's chosen replacement for Judas Iscariot who betrayed Yeshua and fell from his office as one of the twelve apostles. Some even teach that Peter was wrong to call the Messianic believers together to choose a replacement for Judas. This they support with the argument that Peter did it before Pentecost. They assert that Peter was "in the flesh", out of line, and without the authority to do such a thing.

Some have even tried to compare Peter to Abraham, and his choice for a replacement apostle to Ishmael, whom God likewise rejected and instead chose Paul for the job. Naturally, when it comes to accusing Peter of error, these teachers who are willing to say Peter was wrong in choosing a replacement for Judas, never consider the possibility that Peter was wrong about Paul in the passage we dealt with in the last chapter! The title of "apostle", as it is used in the NT, has been redefined and broadened exclusively by Paul and Luke to include anyone who believes they are a divinely appointed messenger sent out into the world. No other writers in the NT ever refer to anyone other than the twelve as "apostles". Whether one believes that the office of apostle extends beyond the original twelve and Judas' replacement or not... it is apparent from the book of Revelation and Yeshua's own words that there are a specific twelve who are also referred to as "the apostles of the Lamb". Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:14 And here is something important to note that Yeshua said to his followers. "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His Glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28 Bear in mind that there were over a hundred others besides the twelve "apostles" who followed Yeshua and were called "disciples". Many of them were there and heard these words when Yeshua spoke them to the twelve. Paul was not one of them! So, if Judas Iscariot's name is not one of the twelve whose names are on the foundations of the city and will judge a tribe of Israel, and Paul is a false apostle who presumptuously took the title "apostle" to himself... the question remains, who is number twelve? Peter calls for a replacement for Judas To answer that question we need to take a close look at the meeting where Peter calls for a replacement for Judas.

Again, notice that this event is deemed necessary precisely because it was understood that there must be twelve apostles, no more, and no less. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Yeshua; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." ... "For it is written in the book of Psalms; 'Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one live it'; and, 'Let another take his office.' "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Master, Yeshua, 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." Acts 1;15-17, 20-22 Peter is very serious about filling the office with a qualified person. In a detailed manner he lays out exactly what the replacement's qualifications must be.

The prospective apostle had to have accompanied the other apostles the entire time, from the time that John baptized Yeshua, all the way through to Yeshua's ascension. He had to have been there, and seen and heard everything they saw and heard. This was the minimum criteria that Peter insisted be met by a prospect. If a prospect who met these requirements had more knowledge of Yeshua , like from before His baptism, this would no doubt have been considered a bonus. We must also keep in mind that Peter was looking for someone who would be a good witness. It would be pointless to choose someone to be witness who wouldn't tell! This would require that a prospect demonstrate having a propensity to tell of what he had seen and heard, and the more willing the better. So it would not be out of the question for a replacement to be more qualified in this regard than some of the remaining eleven! The fact that Peter required the would-be apostle to have been there also fits with what Yeshua had said in Matthew 19:28 as quoted above. He said, "You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones..." The hard fact of the matter is that Paul had not been there.

He didn't walk with Yeshua those three and a half years and therefore could not be considered a legitimate candidate to replace Judas as one of the twelve by either Peter's or Yeshua's criterion. The replacement had to have been there. The scene in Acts continues. And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias, And they prayed and said, "You , O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1:23-26 Out of all those present, they had reduced the number of possible prospects to two. These were considered the very best candidates. Both were well qualified in the eyes of the eleven. They could have made the choice between the two themselves and I believe their choice would have been recognized in heaven.

Yeshua had given Peter and the other apostles that much authority when He said to them; "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:18-20 But they desired that the Lord make the final choice between the two. The casting of lots to discern God's will is also not without precedence. They were very familiar with the priest's use of Urim and Thummim to determine God's will... as well as the story of Jonah and the terrified sailors who cast the lot which God caused to indicate Jonah as the source of their problem. On an issue as important as determining who the twelfth apostle should be, their desire to seek God's opinion would not have gone unnoticed in heaven. They prayed and cast lots and the lot fell on Matthias. The answer to the question of who is the twelfth apostle... is Matthias! Who was Matthias?

Virtually nothing is known about Matthias. Aside from the fact that he must have fit Peter's criterion, (been there) we know only one thing.... his name. But I have a pet theory about Matthias, which, if it were true, would answer many perplexing questions dogging scholars today. It is only a theory. The fact that it is very plausible, and would answer many questions is the best evidence in itself. The author of the mysterious Q source?! If I were a betting man, I would lay odds that Matthias is the author of the renowned "Q source" for a number of reasons. "Q" is the label scholars have given to a single written text from which the synoptic gospel writers gleaned a large portion of their information. The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the "synoptic" gospels because they are a condensed outline of the events surrounding Yeshua's ministry, and they are similar in so many ways it appears clear that each was condensed from the same larger written source. A perfect example of this is the story of the Rich Young Ruler. This story is found in all three synoptic gospels. Each one contains information that the others leave out.

We determine from all three that this person was rich. Matthew is the only one to tell us that he was "young". And Luke is the only gospel to tell us he was a "ruler". But no matter from which gospel it is read, it is still known as the "rich young ruler" account. To see a parallel comparison of the three accounts of the rich young ruler and how the original account in "Q" might have looked see The Rich Young Ruler Synoptic Parallel in the appendix. Let's take a hypothetical look at what might have happened at the time Peter called for a replacement for Judas. Remember, these are real people who act and think like we do. What if during all the time that Yeshua walked with and taught the twelve, there was among the others who followed, a man gifted in writing who faithfully recorded most everything that happened and what was said? Picture him sitting in the background writing in some form of short-hand Aramaic like a news reporter. Then, when Peter calls for a replacement for Judas, his requirements are that the replacement had to both be there and be willing to tell (report) what he had seen and heard.

Now as they consider the candidates and are about to make some nominations they realize that they have in their midst a man with an accurate written diary/record of all that was said and done. Isn't this exactly what they would be looking for? I think that Matthias, the one on whom God caused the lot to fall, was just such a person. This may sound like a plausible, but quaint theory to some at this point, but there is one more interesting bit of evidence to add to this picture. The name "Matthias" is the Greek version of the name "Matthew"! They are identical... one and the same! There were two Matthews, just as there were two apostles named Simon and two apostles named James. Matthew the tax-collector is generally considered to be the author of the gospel of Matthew, but this is only tradition. We really don't know for sure who wrote the book because the book doesn't say. The name Matthew was loosely associated with the earliest copies of the Gospel, and since a tax-collector would have to have been literate, it is assumed that Matthew the tax-collector was its author. Here is what I think happened.

Matthias was a gifted writer who faithfully documented the words and events surrounding Yeshua's ministry. Unlike Paul, he was there! When Peter called for a replacement for Judas, Matthias' name came up as a perfect candidate because he had the written record. God caused the lot to fall on him and he became the true replacement for Judas. His written record was the source that was used by the writers of the synoptic gospels... Marcus (Mark) and Luke. Some anonymous person also used Matthias' record to compose what is known as the Gospel of Matthew. As a scribe of sorts, he translated and condensed it, much the way Mark and Luke did, into the parts he deemed important. He also added a little of his own insight... as did the others. In his case, he regularly tried to associate events in Yeshua's life with prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures. Sometimes he made good connections, other times he made some serious blunders. But this scribe didn't sign his name to it or identify himself in any way. The book was left to others known only as being taken from Mathias' (Matthew's) record.

Over time the tradition continued and somewhere along the line it became assumed that it was written by Matthew the tax-collector. It is interesting to note that the synoptic gospels were written from the perspective of being on the outside looking in as opposed to being from the perspective of one of the twelve. In the gospel of Matthew itself, Matthew the tax collector isn't even mentioned or called until chapter 9. The writer of the gospel even appears to go out of his way to distance himself from this Matthew by saying that Yeshua, "saw a man named Matthew...". It would be a bit unusual for someone to refer to themselves this way. But if it were written by someone else with the same name, on the outside looking in, it would make perfect sense. Conclusion Whether Matthias is the author of "Q" or not, he is without question the only plausible 12th apostle, because he was there... thus fulfilling the requirements of both Yeshua and Peter. He is, in all probability, also the author of "Q", the source from which the three synoptic gospel writers obtained most of their information.

If he is, he is not just an insignificant number filling a vacant spot, but truly one of the greatest apostles when one considers his witness is responsible for most of the information contained in the Synoptic Gospels. If we were to compile from Paul's letters every quote of Yeshua he used, and every event in Yeshua's ministry that he referenced, we would know virtually nothing about what he said or did! Every single chapter in the Synoptic Gospels contains many times more information about Yeshua than do all of Paul's writings put together. It shouldn't be hard to understand why Paul quotes Yeshua so very little. He wasn't there! Notable quotes "Where possible, he (Paul) avoids quoting the teaching of Jesus, in fact even mentioning it.

If we had to rely on Paul, we should not know that Jesus taught in parables, had delivered the sermon on the mount, and had taught His disciples the 'Our Father.' Even where they are specially relevant, Paul passes over the words of the Lord." Albert Schweitzer "What kind of authority can there be for an "apostle" who, unlike the other apostles, had never been prepared for the apostolic office in Jesus' own school but had only later dared to claim the apostolic office on the basis of his own authority? The only question comes to be how the apostle Paul appears in his Epistles to be so indifferent to the historical facts of the life of Jesus... He bears himself but little like a disciple who has received the doctrines and the principles which he preaches from the Master whose name he bears." Ferdinand Christian Baur The eminent theologian, in his 'Church History of the First Three Centuries', "... Paul is in effect the first Christian heretic, and his teachings, which become the foundation of later Christianity, are a flagrant deviation from the 'Original' or 'pure' form extolled by the leadership.

Whether James, the 'Lord's brother,' was literally Jesus' blood kin or not (and everything suggests he was), it is clear that he knew Jesus...personally. So did most of the other members of the community or 'early Church,' in Jerusalem, including of course, Peter. When they spoke, they did so with first hand authority. Paul had never had such personal acquaintance with the figure he'd begun to regard as his 'Savior.' He had only his quasi-mystical experience in the desert and the sound of a disembodied voice. For him to arrogate authority to himself on this basis is, to say the least, presumptuous. It also leads him to distort Jesus' teachings beyond recognition, to formulate, in fact, his own highly individual and idiosyncratic theology, and then to legitimize it by spuriously ascribing it to Jesus." "As things transpired, however, the mainstream of the new movement gradually coalesced, during the next three centuries, around Paul and his teachings.

Thus, to the undoubted posthumous horror of James and his associates, an entirely new religion was indeed born, a religion that came to have less and less to do with its supposed founder." From the book, "The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception" by Michael Bajgent and Richard Leigh (Corgi Books, London, 1991) "Paul hardly ever allows the real Jesus of Nazareth to get a word in." Carl Jung (Psychologist) (U.S. News and World Report, April 22, 1991, p. 55) Letter: Who replaced Judas Iscariot? Q: Since the twelve apostles are the foundation stones, and Judas was replaced and is not considered among the twelve, who replaced him? In Acts it says that Matthias was chosen by casting lots. Did Jehovah accept the casting of lots that was done to choose Matthias, or did he choose Paul? Which one of the two is the twelfth apostle, Matthias or Paul? (Acts 1:23-26) Thank you! _________________________ A: Who replaced Judas Iscariot?

The Scriptures tell us it was Matthias, ï¿½he was reckoned along with the eleven apostles.ï¿½ (Acts 1:23-26) Some have trouble with that because of the manner in which the decision was reached, namely, casting lots to decide between Matthias and Joseph (who was also called Barsabbas). Many believe that Paul is a better candidate because he was chosen by Jesus personally; plus he had a greater impact on the congregations than even most of the apostles, especially Matthias who is not even mentioned again after having won the decision. Some also point to the many letters that Paul wrote, whereas Matthias did not seem to have contributed to any writing of the Bible that we know of. But that is no argument against Matthias, for neither did eight of the other apostles write letters or books of the Bible, such as Andrew; James (the letter of James was written by Jesusï¿½ half-brother, not the apostle.

ï¿½ Acts 12:1,2); Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon the zealous one; and Judas the son of James (the short letter "Jude" was penned by Jesusï¿½ half brother, the brother of the author of the letter "James". ï¿½ Matt. 13:55; John 7:5) It should be noted that Jesus chose the twelve apostles early in his ministry from among the disciples who were already closely associated with him. After spending a whole night in prayer, ï¿½he called his disciples to him and chose from among them twelve, whom he also named apostles.ï¿½ (Luke 6:12,13) This would also be true of the apostle who would be chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.

He needed to have been a disciple ï¿½during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, starting with his baptism by John and until the day he was received up from us.ï¿½ (Acts 1:2, 20-22) There were at least two disciples who met the criterion, but of course only one could be chosen. The lot fell on Matthias! Who are we to say that Jehovah did not accept, or even have a hand in making his choice known in this manner. (Prov. 16:33; compare Joshua 7:14-20; 14:1,2) It was Matthias who henceforth ï¿½was reckoned among the twelveï¿½ and received the outpouring of the holy spirit at Pentecost. (Acts 2:14) Saul, who became known as the apostle Paul, does not meet the qualifications to be counted among the twelve. He was not even a disciple when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him while he was on his way to Damascus to take into custody the disciples that had fled there on account of the persecution.

Paul became a chosen vessel, an apostle to the nations, "sent forth" to declare the good news to them, for that is the meaning of the word "apostle." (Rom. 1:1; 11:13; 1 Cor. 9:1,2; 1 Tim. 2:7) Our word ï¿½apostleï¿½ comes from the Greek a‧po′sto‧los, and is derived from the common verb a‧po‧stel′lo, meaning simply ï¿½send forth (or off).ï¿½ (it-1 p. 127 Apostle) The apostle Matthew tells us that Jesus selected the twelve apostles ï¿½that they might continue with him and that he might send them out [a‧po‧stel′lei] to preach and to have authority to expel the demons.ï¿½ (Mark 3:14,15; Matt. 10:5-7) The twelve were closely associated with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry, accompanying him on his preaching tours, and were taught by Jesus personally in order to carry on the work after he was taken from them.

From the start they were important "living stones" in the foundation of God's temple, his people. (Eph. 2:19,20; 1 Peter 2:5) That the twelve apostles have a special position within God's temple there can be no doubt. (Rev. 21:14) But in the Scriptures others are also called "apostles." Paul was an apostle to the nations, sent forth by Jesus. Other "apostles" were sent forth by their congregations. In his second letter to the brothers in Corinth, Paul wrote: "Moreover, we are sending with them our brother whom we have often proved in many things to be earnest, but now much more earnest due to his great confidence in you. 23 If, though, there is any question about Titus, he is a sharer with me and a fellow worker for your interests; or if about our brothers, they are apostles of congregations and a glory of Christ. 24 Therefore demonstrate to them the proof of your love and of what we boasted about you, before the face of the congregations." (2 Cor.

8:22-24, NWT) Paul had relatives (συγγενείς), namely, "Andronicus and Junias. . . who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." (Rom. 16:7, 11; NASB) Many translations call such apostles "special messengers of the churches," no doubt to differentiate such ones from the twelve, or because they recognize only the twelve as apostles. (see also Phil. 2:25) Because of the special prestige attached to the office of an apostle, some ambitious disciples presented themselves as apostles, but obviously not claiming to be among the twelve. (Mark 9:33,34; Luke 22:24; 1 Cor. 12:28,29) Paul was opposed in the Corinth congregation by certain "super fine apostles," calling them false apostles and deceitful workers. (2 Cor. 11:5, 13-15; 1 Cor.

4:8,9) Jesus commended the disciples of the Ephesus congregation because they "put those to the test who say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them liars." This would be true also today of anyone who professes to have received apostolic authority by Jesus or God within the congregation, including any self-appointed governing body. (Revelation 2:2) Matthias and the Numbering of the Twelve Apostles Matthias and the Numbering of the Twelve Apostles Question: In your first Peter lesson #2 , you talk about the "12" apostles/disciples - there were actually, 13, even discounting Judas Iscariot; Paul would make twelve, and Matthias, Acts chapter 1, being the thirteenth. Response: On the issue of the "13" disciples, it is true that Peter and company "elected" Matthias to replace Judas, but not everything recorded in the Bible that individuals do is to be taken as ordained of God (obviously - consider King Saul et al.). Peter made his share of mistakes ("don't wash my feet", "wash my whole body", etc. etc.).

Every place in scripture where God makes clear His own feelings about the apostles, there are 12 (as in the 12 gates of Rev.21:14). Whose names are on the gates? If we are to imagine that one of them will have the name "Matthias", then who will be left out (certainly not Paul, the last but also the greatest of the apostles)? Remember that the election of Matthias was held before Pentecost, after which Peter (and his fellows) are suddenly much more effective for God (as one would expect with the coming of the Holy Spirit). Notice too that to "elect" Matthias, they turn to the Old Testament device of casting lots, something Jesus never did and something that is never authorized in the New Testament (or practiced elsewhere ever again).

Notice that God did not communicate to Peter the need to get a new number 12 (although Peter did receive direct revelation when it was time to bring the gospel to the gentiles); and notice that when God decided to choose number 12, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to Paul in a very miraculous way that left no doubt as to God's call, God's "election" of Paul as number 12. Matthias was no doubt a fine believer, but he was no apostle - except in the eyes of men (and erroneously so). Perhaps it would be more helpful to say about the apostles that "God never had more than 12". Finally, in the Greek text of Acts 1:26, Luke hints that the election, while an understandable thing for these men to do in the circumstances, was not divinely sanctioned. He says of the election of Matthias that he was "voted down along with the eleven" (the verb synkatapsephizo: συγκαταψηφίζω). According to its etymology, the base verb should mean to "vote down" i.e., defeat, or, better, "to condemn".

The word itself only occurs one other place in all of Greek literature (Plutarch) where it means "join in condemnation"; here we also have a passive voice so on that model it should mean "be jointly condemned with". There may be doubt on the part of some scholars about the precise meaning of the verb in this context, but according to all linguistic convention it should at the very least convey a negative connotation - something that only makes sense if we see Luke here as being careful not to endorse the election of Matthias (cf. Lk.22:3 where Judas is described as being "of the number" of the disciples [ESV, NKJV, correctly from the Greek], implying that he was not really one in fact). This is something that doesn't even show up on the radar screen in the English versions, but in the Greek it hits one squarely between the eyes. This is also evident from the very next chapter at Acts 2:14, where, in spite of Matthias' "election", Luke mentions "the eleven" instead "the twelve" – not until the calling of Paul, the genuine twelfth apostle, was the full complement again reached.

This is an important issue, because much that men have done since the days of the apostles and and tried to foist upon God in the name of "mother Church" has, in truth, been of fleshly origin and no part of the divine plan. The wrong-headed election of a twelfth apostle (something that in truth could only occur by God's will, and through Jesus' choice as in the case of all the others: Lk.6:12-16; Acts 9:15) was the first in a regrettably long series of well-meaning substitutions of human will for divine will in the administration of the Church, a trend which unfortunately continues to the present day. The crucial lesson to learn from Matthias is clear: just because human beings, even those in authority within a church, take it upon themselves to say that something is God's will does not necessarily make it so.

For it is Jesus who picked the apostles, not men, and He did so "through the Holy Spirit": (1) The first account I produced [for you], O Theophilus, dealt with all the things which Jesus did and taught from the beginning, (2) until the day when Jesus was taken up [into heaven], having given instructions to those apostles whom He had selected through the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:1-3 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man (i.e., Paul) is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. Acts 9:15 NIV Judas’ Replacement | Mysterious Grace Judas’ Replacement Posted on September 2, 2010 by admin Was Paul an apostle? He says so in I Corinthians 4:9 and 15:9, II Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11, and Galatians 1:17. (Time to be Berean… get out your Bible and see if it is so!) If he was, why wasn’t he the replacement for Judas Iscariot?

Why did Judas Iscariot need to be replaced at all? Wouldn’t eleven apostles be enough? In this post’s study passage we discover that it was God’s intent to replace Judas, round out the number of apostles to twelve again, and to do it with someone other than Paul. Let’s dig in. Acts 1:12-13 (Please read it for yourself in your study Bible.) We present here a list of the Apostles that gathered in the upper room: Peter James, the son of Alphaeus (to distinguish him later from James the half-brother of Christ) Simon the Zealot Judas, the son of James (to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot who was now dead) Eleven men who had been with Jesus. Notice that while these verses may be divided from the previous verses by a section heading in your Bible, Luke did not put in the section headings! Your Bible commentator did. These verses are just the continuation of the story.

If you check the verses we’ve already covered, you’ll find that these men have not been identified previously as “the eleven”, but only referred to as “they” or “them.” The implication (reading backwards) is that “they” were the same men who had just returned to the upper room, had just seen Jesus ascend into heaven, had just asked Him if He was going to restore the kingdom at this time, had been reminded to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them, had received teaching for forty days after his resurrection, and had witnessed many convincing proofs that He was indeed alive. It’s important to realize that these specific men, now absent Judas Iscariot, were the inner circle of men specifically chosen and trained by Jesus (His “disciples”), and whose training, as we have learned, was to prepare them for the coming restoration of David’s kingdom. One particular aspect of their position and service in this “kingdom at hand” was explained to them — and only to them — in Luke 22:30 and Matthew 19:28.

Luke describes a dispute among these same disciples over which of them was the greatest, right on the heels of the event we call the “Last Supper.” Jesus used it as an object lesson in humility, teaching them that those who were the most humble-hearted servants would be the greatest in the kingdom. He closes the object lesson with a glimpse into their future: “… that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.“ Matthew records this statement on a different, earlier occasion prior to Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover Week.

Regardless of whether Jesus told them the same thing on two different occasions or not, the important points here are that there are twelve (not eleven) tribes of Israel (even though two of them descended from sons of Joseph) no mention is made of one of the disciples sitting on two thrones they will be rulers over complete tribes, and form a ruling council of twelve over all of Israel this is part of the coming prophesied Kingdom, Israel’s hope and expectation, in which all the earth will be blessed Clearly this Kingdom will be short one man if there are only eleven apostles, and that a new twelfth Jewish apostle with a Jewish expectation must be appointed if the restored Davidic Kingdom, a promise to Israel, is to proceed. Acts 1:14 We pause here only long enough for two noteworthy observations. (1) The “women”, including Jesus’ mother Mary, and Jesus half-brothers apparently were already at this location when the eleven returned from the Mount of Olives. This was a tightly-knit small group.

(2) They were “all with one mind” and were “continually devoting themselves to prayer.” This is perfectly in keeping with their experiences (the undeniable resurrection and teaching of the risen Christ) and with Christ’s instructions to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Does that mean we should be doing the same thing today, and if we do, our sincerity and devotion will somehow “bring” the Holy Spirit into our lives as He came at Pentecost? Many in the Pentecostal Movement would say so, and we shall have an answer soon enough. (Obviously, I personally don’t think so. There are indications here that a different economy was in effect, as none of those gathered appear to be engaged in gainful employment. We’ll find this to be a characteristic of the Jerusalem community of believers for several chapters to come, and it is very different from the way the world operates today — but a window on the economy of the Millennial Kingdom.) Does it mean we should not be devoted to our Lord in obedience and prayer? Absolutely not! But it is another example of rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Remember, the Bible is all for our instruction, but it is not all addressed directly to us.

Acts 1:15 “And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty names was there together), and said…” The NASB translation states “And at that time”, but the literal translation of the Greek is “in these days”. There’s a subtle difference in meaning here. “At that time” is usually understood to refer to a specific date and clock time (it is a punctiliar reference), and in the context would seem to indicate the same occasion when the apostles returned from Olivet and entered this upper room. But the Greek phrase is not punctiliar, and is better translated “in these days”. As such, it refers to an occasion later in the time of waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit, perhaps several days later. The other facts observed in this verse bear this out, for the group has grown from eleven apostles plus Mary plus the women who were closest to Jesus plus Jesus half-brothers (probably less than twenty people) to 120 people. Not just any people, mind you, but 120 “names” — people who were all known to each other by name (another small mis-translation in the NASB).

Acts 1:16-20 Please read the passage for yourself in your study Bible and note the following points in Peter’s message to the group: He calls them “brethren.” From his perspective at this point in the narrative, that meant “fellow Israelites.” (We will confirm this assertion in Chapters 2-4 soon.) He reminds them that David specifically prophesied concerning Judas Iscariot, including the manner of his death in a specific geographic location. He quotes from Psalm 109:8 as the ultimate application of David’s prophecy to their situation. Peter clearly saw himself and the people with him as operating in a period of time when they themselves were fulfilling prophecy, and it had everything to do with their hope and expectation — the restoration of David’s kingdom. Their expectation was clear and their perception was correct because God had openly promised these things to Israel, putting them down in writing (the “Law and the Prophets”) for all to read. Does the church of today have the same expectation and promises, or does she have something still hidden in God at this point in the narrative?

Since God did not begin to reveal the hidden mystery until later through the Apostle Paul, it was unknown to Peter and his exclusively Jewish audience. Peter’s conclusion? As the fulfillers of prophecy, on the basis of Psalm 109:8, it is clear that a replacement for Judas must be chosen. (Isn’t it interesting that these quotes — and leadership – come from the lips of an unlearned fisherman? This in itself is a fulfillment of Jesus promises to give them the right words to say at the right time – as the promised Kingdom approached.) Acts 1:21-26 Peter then describes the qualifications of Judas Iscariot’s replacement. He had to be a man who had accompanied the eleven continually, beginning from the time of Jesus baptism through the time of His ascension. Note that this does not mean that he had to be present at these events with the eleven, but certainly would have been with the eleven on some occasions when the resurrected Christ appeared to them and to many others. Such a man would be a qualified witness to the resurrection, as Peter suggests in the end of v22.

Two such men were identified from the group — Barsabbas (also called Justus and Joseph) and Matthias. But which one? They prayed for God’s active participation in the selection process because only He knew what was inside the hearts of both men, and thus which one would be fit to replace Judas in the work of apostleship. Then in traditional Hebrew fashion, reminiscent of the casting of Urim and Thummim in the Old Testament, they cast lots. God chose Matthias. It’s important to recognize that they asked God to make the choice, seeing what they could not, and that God did choose. Some have tried to dismiss this passage as Peter trying to move the program forward in his own strength without God’s approval, so that they can dismiss Matthias as the twelfth apostle to sit on the vacated twelfth throne over Israel, and make Paul the twelfth apostle. It’s clear that Matthias was God’s choice, not Peter’s, and that Matthias will sit on the twelfth throne in the Kingdom when it comes.

It’s equally clear that Paul must be another apostle, not associated with the Twelve, and not ruling over one of the twelve tribes of Israel — an apostle sent to another people for another time, a mystery still hidden in God at this point in the narrative. The church of this age, the Age of Grace, is still nowhere in sight! Prepare yourself well for the next post. It will require all of your powers of observation, and all of your ability and commitment to cast off previous notions of human interpretations. We are on the brink of a pivotal point in the Book of Acts – Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and their companions! Who Replaced Judas as the Twelfth Apostle? « Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses Where is the real Christmas? » Who Replaced Judas as the Twelfth Apostle? In the very first verse of Romans Paul identifies himself as an Apostle. Throughout his letters he re-iterates and supports his claim to Apostleship. If Paul was an Apostle, what does that make Matthias, who was chosen by the other eleven Apostles as the Apostle to replace Judas (before Paul’s conversion)?

There are two choices: 1) Matthias was indeed the chosen replacement for Judas, or 2) Paul was the chosen replacement and not Matthias. Perspective One: Matthias was the chosen replacement: When Judas Iscariot defected and died unfaithfully, the twelve apostles became eleven. During the forty days time from Jesus resurrection until his ascension to heaven, Jesus did not appoint another apostle to fill the vacancy left by Judas. We read about it in Acts 1:1-13 (Act 1:1) The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, (Act 1:2) until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Act 1:3) To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

(Act 1:4) Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; (Act 1:5) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Act 1:9) And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (Act 1:12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. (Act 1:13) When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. Starting in Acts 2:1 the account of the Holy Spirit being given to the disciples at Pentecost is recorded.

During the ten days between the ascension (Acts 1:3) and Pentecost (Acts 2:1), Peter concludes based on two OT scripture sets that another be selected to fill Judas’ place because of Judas’ defection: (Act 1:20) “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’ The words are a combination of Psa. 69:25 and Psa. 109:8; in which the apostle discerns a greater than David, and a worse than Ahithophel and his fellow conspirators against David. (Psa 69:25) May their camp be desolate; May none dwell in their tents. (Psa 109:8) Let his days be few; Let another take his office. Acts 1:11 lists 11 Apostles, Judas not being named among them. In vs 15-26, Peter presents the argument for filling Judas’ position with another choice, Barsabas or Matthias.

The two criterion Peter identifies they must look for is that: • He must have been personally conversant with Jesus from John the Baptist onward, (by implication an eye witness of his works and miracles and a knowledge of his teachings) • He must have been an eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection, After specifically asking the Lord to direct the decision Matthias was chosen. (Act 1:24-26) (Act 1:24) And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen (Act 1:25) to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” (Act 1:26) And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. Matthias is included with the other eleven and received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost along with the other apostles and the many others. He was involved with the appointment of the seven deacons in Acts 6:1-3.

(Act 6:1) Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. (Act 6:2) So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. (Act 6:3) “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. And Matthias was counted in the twelve by Paul and Matthias witnessed the Lord Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. I Cor. 15:3-8 (1Co 15:3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (1Co 15:4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1Co 15:5) and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

(Technically, this event happened before Matthias was chosen; which means that the phrase, “The twelve” was a name they called the collection of the Apostles and not referring to a literal number of twelve.) Judas Iscariot was dead, so who are the twelve? Paul has to be referring to Matthias. Paul can’t be referring to himself because he wasn’t even chosen yet. Paul confirms this as we keep reading… (1Co 15:6) After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; (1Co 15:7) then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; (1Co 15:8) and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. Why does Paul make a distinction between “the twelve” in vs 5 and “the apostles” in vs. 7? Paul uses the term “apostles” more broadly than just the original twelve and himself.

We read in (Rom 16:7) Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. So Matthias became the twelfth. Quoting from “Aid to Bible Understanding” we read, “After his selection he was reckoned along with the other eleven apostles by the congregation and when Acts immediately thereafter speaks of ‘the apostles’ or ‘the twelve,’ Matthias was included. Acts 2:37, 43: 4:33, 36; 5:12, 29; 6:2, 6; 8:1, 14; 9:27” Perspective Two: Paul was the chosen replacement In Luke chapter six (6) we have the account of the Lord Jesus choosing the twelve. It is important to note that Jesus made the choice and not the twelve. They did not nominate or appoint themselves as his apostles.

(Lk 6:12-16) (Lk 6:12) It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (Lk 6:13) And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: (Lk 6:14) Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; (Lk 6:15) and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; (Luk 6:16) Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. We are told elsewhere that it was Jesus’ choice.

(Joh 6:70) Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” (Joh 15:16) “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (Act 1:1) The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach (Act 1:2) until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. Jesus quietly ignored the vote of the eleven and made his own choice for the successor of Judas; Jesus chose Paul. How do we know this? Paul’s Calling / Choosing THE APOSTLE JUDAS (ISCARIOT) Privacy Policy The Apostle Judas ( Iscariot ) Judas Iscariot should be stated "Judas of Kerioth." Kerioth was a small town a few miles south of Hebron.

He was the only one of the Twelve Apostles who was not a Galilean, but a Judean. His father's name was Simon. Perhaps the most significant thing that can be said of Judas Iscariot, was, that, in feeling sorrow for his crime of betrayal, he did not seek to atone for his sin to the One (Jesus) whom he had wronged, but , rather, went to his accomplices in crime (the priests) and there sought to set himself aright. Because those whom he had served in his selfishness failed him at the end (the priests), he went out and hanged himself. The apostle Matthias assumed Judas' apostolic position after Judas' suicide. Purchase Online (The Search for the Twelve Apostles) The information above is compiled from the book "The Search for the Twelve Apostles" by William Steuart McBirnie Ph.D, Copyright 1973

Question: Who was elected by the Apostles to replace Judas?
Answer: MATTHIAS