Was Matthias or Paul God’s choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle? | GotQuestions.org

The Question of Matthias or Paul as Judas’s Replacement

Today's question is, was Matthias, or Paul, God's choice to replace Judas as the twelfth apostle? In this video I'll answer that question from a biblical perspective. Then afterwards, as always, I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the.

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With Judas having betrayed Christ and then committing suicide, the eleven remaining disciples decided to replace Judas with a new twelfth apostle, Acts 1, verses 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, verses 21 -22.

Matthias Chosen by Lot in Acts 1

The eleven disciples proposed two men—Joseph, called Barsabbas, possibly the same person as Barnabas, and Matthias, Acts 1, verse 23. The eleven disciples then prayed for the Lord's direction, Acts 1, verses 24 -25, and then cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, Acts 1, verse 26.

Why Some Think Paul Was the Better Choice

But was this the Lord's choice? Some propose that Paul, not Matthias, was God's choice for the twelfth apostle. They argue that Jesus had told the apostles to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, Acts 1, verse 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 twelfth apostle?

Why Matthias Still Fits the Biblical Criteria

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, verse 33. And while Matthias is never again mentioned in the New Testament, the same can be said for most of the other eleven apostles.

Church history records that Matthias died as a martyr for Christ, as did all the other apostles except John. Yes, Paul was definitely more prominent than Matthias, but Paul was more prominent than any of the twelve apostles, except for perhaps Peter and John.

Also, Paul would not have been qualified based on the apostles' criteria in Acts 1, verses 21 -22. So, a conclusive biblical case cannot be made for the eleven apostles' choice of Matthias being invalid.

God’s Sovereign Will and the Twelfth Foundation Stone

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 twelfth apostle. So, what name will be written on the twelfth foundation in the heavenly Jerusalem?

Revelation 21, verse 14. The Bible does not explicitly say, but it likely will be Matthias. Ultimately, though, we will have to wait to find out. Want to learn more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video!

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