Acts tells us that Peter lead the early church to promote Matthias to take Judas' place as the twelfth apostle. However, some have suggested that Paul was meant to be the twelfth apostle and that the account in Acts chapter 1 is yet one more example of Peter acting rashly. It is often suggested that since Matthias is never mentioned again and Paul plays such a major role throughout the second half of Acts, that Paul would have been appointed by Christ on the road to Damascus if Matthias had not already been chosen by the early church.
However, several issues must be considered here. First, none of the apostles are mentioned by name after Acts 1, save Peter and John. Thus, the lack of mention of Matthias is no more important than the lack of mention of the other nine. Second, Luke wrote Acts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and after the ministry of Paul and Matthias were well underway. If the appointment of Matthias was illegitimate, Luke would have surely addressed the issue in his account. Third, Paul's ministry was very different from the twelve. While they primarily led the church in Jerusalem, Paul was specifically called to the Gentiles. Fourth, Paul did not meet the qualifications of the office of apostle. He was not with Jesus during His earthly ministry. He was not a witness of the resurrection until his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Fifth, the other apostles did not recognize Paul as one of them. In fact, they did not even accept that he was a genuine believer until Barnabas interceded on his behalf. (Acts 9:26-31)
With these facts under consideration, we can affirm with all confidence that Mattias was and is the twelfth apostle.
Kevin Maples
About Me
Kevin Maples is the pastor of First Baptist Church Madisonville, KY. His sermons may be heard each week at www.LivingWithTheCross.org.
He holds a Doctor of Theology in Preaching from the University of South Africa in Pretoria, South Africa; a Master of Theology in Biblical Theology from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.; a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky; and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Languages and Religion from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tn.
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While some of the posts here are independent articles, many of these discussions arise from texts in which I am preaching. Notice the sermon designated in the title. For example: (sermon Acts 1:12-26) refers to a sermon preached on this passage which can be heard at http://www.LivingWithTheCross.org. The discussion here supplements the sermon. Let me encourage you to visit the website and listen to some of the sermons.
5 comments:
In I Corinthians 15, Paul says that Christ appeared to the 12 before him. Judas was dead. Matthias was a witness of the resurrection. Paul excluded himself from the 12 in this passage and apparently Matthias was the 12th apostle as Paul's statement implies.
Link,
Thank you for your helpful comment. I agree with you fully. I have read a fair amount of literature on this subject and have not come across your point until now. I am wondering, did you discover this on your own or did you read it somewhere?
In Acts 6:2 the twelve Apostles had picked out seven additional church leaders- of which one of these men was named Steven. This was the same Steven that was stoned in Acts 7:58 for preaching Jesus. That same exact verse mentions Saul as the one to hold the stone throwers coats. Hardly an apostle yet- he could not have been one of the twelve that pick out Steven a chapter before.
The original twelve disciples were appointed, commissioned and sent by the Lord Himself. The appointment was from Him, not man.
Of course, there are apostles more than 12 referred to in The Bible but we are referring to The Twelve.
The apostles were asked to tarry in the city of Jerusalem till the promise of the Holy Ghost from on high, not to decide on replacements for the betrayer Judas. This the Lord could very well have done between His resurrection and ascension.
The criteria for selection was from Peter - not acting on the direction of the Holy Spirit's endowment, which they had been assured.
After they appointed two (using criteria they themselves set), they cast lots asking the Lord, which of the two You have chosen. Hardly they way the Spirit leads, don't you think?
As far as whether Luke would have dealt with the appointment of Matthias as illegitimate, Luke was not and did not comment on that but merely wrote down the FACTS as had occurred.
The arguments that Mathias is not mentioned later is as you state, largely irrelevant.
Jerry, interesting to say that if Paul (Saul) could hold the coats of those who stoned Steven a chapter or two before, he could hardly ever be holder of a high office in Christ.
Salvation is not a gradual process but something which happens in a flash,and you are changed to something you could not imagine you would ever be, Praise God. If the LORD makes us what we are now based on what we were before, we would be in a terrible position.
Paul was not called for glorious things. As Ananias was told by the LORD - For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
I cannot state with confidence that Paul was the Twelfth Disciple but my understanding is that Matthias is most likely not and Paul most likely the one.
Whatever, that doubt will be cleared when we see Him face to face, and sing His glories and our praise.
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