Acts 1-2
In Acts 1:15-26, we see the Apostles gather together with the other believers and discuss their problem of what to do about the role formerly filled by Judas. Peter makes an appeal that the spot should be filled, quoting Psalms 69 and 109. A brief list of qualification was given, and two men were nominated for the job. Prayers were said, and they cast lots to determine God’s choice in the matter, and the lot fell to Matthias. He was then added to their number.
This factual account of the calling of Matthias to Apostleship has been the source of much debate over the years, with many believing that the Apostles were out of line in selecting Matthias. To justify this argument, supporters probably point to the same passage of Scripture that Peter had in mind when he began this selection process almost two thousand years ago.
In Matthew 19:28, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” This prophetic glimpse of the future prompts us to perform some simple math. Obvious to everyone, Judas would not be one of the twelve. With just eleven apostles leading into Acts 1, one of these roles needed to be filled. Peter, therefore, logically made the argument that a man should be appointed to the task, but critics of this event in Acts 1 state that later on, God would choose Paul instead as the twelfth apostle, and in doing so would show that Peter and the others acted in haste and should never have appointed Matthias to the position.
While this argument does seem to offer some merit, at least superficially, we must treat it as speculation at best. The fact of the matter is that Peter’s argument for the appointment was rooted in Scripture, as was the casting of lots. Proverbs 16:33 states, “the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” What aspects of this passage from Acts that we can corroborate from Scripture, show that the everything these believers did that day in appointing Matthias to apostleship seems to be in line with God’s Word; and there is no corresponding criticism of this action to be found anywhere in the Bible. Additionally, Luke, who is not an apostle but was a traveling companion of Paul, referred to the original eleven apostles plus Matthias as “the twelve” in at least two subsequent passages in Acts. Apparently, when he sat down and wrote the book of Acts through God’s inspired hand, he wrote as if this was a legitimate appointment, and from a personal perspective, he had more reasons to be a Paul supporter than anyone.
The only concern to be overcome then regards Jesus’ previously mentioned comment from Matthew 19 about the twelve apostles later judging the twelve tribes of Israel. When we count up the remaining eleven disciples going into Acts 1, and then add both Matthias and Paul, we wind up with a grand total of thirteen apostles. So if there are legitimately thirteen apostles remaining, it appears that Jesus’ words would mean that one of these men would have to be standing off to the side while the other twelve occupied thrones and conducted the business that was required of them. This is hardly a problem. Jesus did not say that there would only be twelve apostles in existence in this future event, he only mentioned what twelve of them would be doing there at that time. This is also backstopped by Jesus’ quote from Matthew 19 being Jewish in context – it concerned twelve apostles judging the twelve tribes of Israel. We have to remember that, while Paul was a powerhouse in New Testament events, he was also appointed by God to minister to the Gentiles, not the Jews.
I’m sure when we get to heaven, all of these things (and more) will make perfect sense to us. It may be that we’ll learn that the Apostles were hasty in the selection of Matthias, but since the only scriptural foundation that can be utilized to support this position can only come through extrapolation, we should not take this idea to be solid fact. It is much more likely that the Apostles did the right thing in the eyes of God and when we meet Matthias in heaven, many preachers and theologians are going to owe him an apology.
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