Acts 1:15-17 – “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters ,the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ 21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Let’s look at Vs 15-17 “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters ,the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” As we have seen the group of about one hundred twenty people had stayed together eagerly anticipating the power from the Holy Spirit that was going to empower them for ministry. They were being obedient and excitedly waiting. As they were waiting Peter stood up to speak to the group. He referred to them as family in Christ, as “adelphos.” The Spirit of God had united them.
Peter reminded them of a couple verses from Psalms of David that Peter attributed to Judas the betrayer, Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” and Psalm 109:8b “…may another take his place of leadership.”
Peter says that Judas had been one of them, “numbered” as one of the twelve and had shared in the ministry of being an apostle. An apostle is one who is “sent with orders.” In Matthew 10:1-4, V1 states that Jesus called his “twelve disciples” to Him. In V4 Judas is included as one of Jesus’s apostles. Judas was definitely one of the twelve apostles as Peter states here in V17. Judas was not present when the disciples received the Holy Spirit from Jesus. He had already been possessed by the devil and driven to betray Jesus (Luke 22:3-6). The Apostle John wrote in John 6:70 that Jesus said that He chose Judas to be one of his twelve disciples (Jesus calls them “the Twelve”). Jesus chose Judas even though He recognized what Jesus would do. Family, Judas had every opportunity to do right. He was a disciple and one elected to be one sent to the world to the spread the Gospel. Judas was offered a very rich blessing and instead chose an evil path.
“21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” Peter reminded them that the betrayer would be replaced. He decided that they would need to do that. None of the verses that state the betrayer would be replaced state that man would replace him, but in fact David was asking God to act. Although opinions differ, many believe that Peter and the rest jumped the gun by calling for lots to select between two men that the disciples had decided upon to be the replacement for Judas. They decided that they needed to help the process along and Matthias was selected. Does that mean that God chose Matthias? They threw lots, one of the two were going to be selected. They did not leave a space for another unknown person to be selected. Many people will note that Matthias was not noted again in the Word. However, Jesus Himself did appoint another Apostle (Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1, Acts 9:1-6). Now if Peter was correct in pushing the appointment who was Matthias, now that Jesus Himself had added Paul as an Apostle that would mean that there were now thirteen Apostles. However from Revelation 21:14 we know that in the end, only twelve are acknowledged. That would mean that either one Apostle lost his place (not stated in the Word), or that either Matthias or Paul were not true Apostles. The Word of God is clear that Paul was a true Apostle who was called and appointed by Jesus and “sent” out by Jesus to preach the Gospel. It seems clear that when Matthias was named an Apostle that He was it was not the will of God.
Some may say “But the lots were cast and it fell to Matthias. Let’s consider that man (Peter) decided that he and his mates would take it upon themselves to select who was qualified and present them to God. They chose Barsabbas and Matthias. Then they put these two before God and asked Him to choose between these two. Family, haven’t we acted likewise. We think that the proper way to go, the proper job offer to accept, the right person to pursue for marriage, is one or another and we ask God to choose between what we think is best and all the while neither of the options we ask God to choose between are what the Lord knows if best. So then, perhaps, neither of the options we gave to God worked out. We are disappointed. Was it not best to perhaps phrase our prayer more like “Lord I am thinking that you are leading me in one of these two ways. If one of these is your choice for me, then please let me know which one to choose. However if neither of these are your choice for me, then please show me what is your choice. Not my will, but yours.”
It is okay to ask God for specific answers, but who are we to limit God to two, or to a thousand choices. We ought to always remember that we are speaking to the only omniscient One, God Himself. We may think we have only one of two ways, but what we think may be wrong. It may be something different from the two. Therefore, we must not limit God by offering to Him the choices we think are best, but rather patiently and persistently press in for what He says is best. One way leads us to an all but forgotten Matthias and the other leads us to a Paul, who God used to write most of the New Testament.
Peter was right, God was going to replace Judas. He just jumped-the-gun instead of waiting on God. May we not make the same error, though I know I already have done so too many times. Family, let us decide to choose to not limit God with our thoughts, but to always persevere for the will of God for our lives. God’s choice is clearly and utterly superior. God intends to bless us. He is good and He loves us. Let us find the peace and security of His will. Let us wait for it. May we not “jump-the-gun.” Let us walk in His superior will for His life. Praise our God who loves and cares for us! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.