Page 11 - Acts Student Textbook

1:20 - The quotations Peter cited as reason for replacing Judas

Here Pratte makes an important observation, “Peter’s conclusion that Judas should be replaced is
based on two Old Testament passages — Psa. 69:25 and 109:8. It does not appear obvious from the
context of the passages that they were referring to Judas. But just like many other Old Testament
prophecies, these too had multiple fulfillments. In any case, Peter’s example shows that we can and
should base our practice on the Scriptures, even though they are hundreds of years old and were
directly addressed to other people. It also shows how the Old Testament prophecies help us
understand New Testament practices, for Peter had said this action should be taken because of what
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the Old Testament had prophesied (v16).”

Where the apostles’ actions wrong in choosing Matthias?

Since this action occurred before the apostles were baptized in the Spirit (chap. 2), some have
wondered whether the apostles were right in this action. They argue that God had intended some
other means of choosing the one to take Judas’ place (such as Paul). I do not think that the apostles
were wrong in the timing, the manner, or the person they chose to replace Judas for the following
reasons: First, the apostles had already received some form of guidance of the Spirit, even if not the
baptism (John 20:19-23). Second, Matthias met the qualifications of an apostle as stipulated by
Peter. Third, no body objected, before or after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Fourth, had the
apostles erred in this, when the Holy Spirit did come He would surely have corrected them for the
error. Fifth, Matthias was counted among the apostles, making twelve of them. These twelve
including Matthias - received Holy Spirit baptism and worked together as apostles -1:26; 2:14; 6:2 (cf.
2:42; 4:35; 5:12; etc.). Sixth, In 1 Cor. 15:5,7,8, Paul distinguished himself from the “twelve”
“apostles.” finally, the method of prayer and casting lots was a common method for inspired men to
ask God to reveal His will.

Qualifications of an apostle

There are lots of people today who claim to be ‘apostles,’ and what they mean is that they have the
same divine appointment by God as that of the 12. Some congregations have even gone further to
having the ‘apostlesses’ (women apostles). The brownie points question is, are they right or wrong?
If the apostles, even in the very first Century considered a specific strict grid as a means of accepting
or denying one to be an apostle, we too will be fine to consider the apostles method as prescribed in
the Scriptures. Let’s consider the qualifications: “So one of the men who have accompanied us during
all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 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" Acts 1:21-22 (ESV). Such men, because of these qualifications, had the right to
formulate doctrine. The only people picked out of the one hundred and twenty to have met that
criteria were two. Even so, the apostles did not say “since the two men meet the qualifications, we
will just accept both of them.” They had to pick one. See, not even the mother of Jesus, nor His
brothers were picked yet they were present (v. 14). Going by the qualifications given above for an
apostle, the only way a person could qualify today is if they have lived for over two thousand years
and have met the criteria above. Since we do not have such men, then no one qualifies to be an
apostle in that sense. Some would say how about Paul?

Every bible scholar/theologian accepts that Paul qualified to be an apostle for few reasons: first, he
saw the risen Lord, Second, he was handpicked by Jesus himself just like the way He chose the
twelve, Third he was directly commissioned by Christ in that capacity (Acts 9:3-6; 22:14,15; 26:16-18;

5 David E. Pratte, Commentary on the Book of Acts: Bible Study Notes and Comments, 2013, (p. 21).
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