The apostles did not reason philosophically why Judas betrayed his Master Jesus, but believed in God’s just judgment. They did not look back long, nor did they stand shaken in their feeling, but went ahead, and thought of the duty of preaching the world. They wished, through their prayers, to ask Jesus for the complete number of their apostolic circle that those commissioned might not be reduced when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them.
The person qualified to be nominated as an apostle must have been a constant companion of Jesus from the beginning and a witness of his life and works who had experienced him who was raised from the dead personally. The twelve disciples did not wander alone with Jesus, but there were many others of his followers with them. Jesus had sent seventy disciples to Galilee and commissioned them for service. So they defined the conditions of the apostolic service with more strictness in order that the nomination for this service might be limited to a small number of those who adhered discipleship with John the Baptist, continued with him, and confessed their sins before him, waiting for the performance of the kingdom of God. In fact, an abundant number of John’s disciples heard his call: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” and therefore they left their teacher of the baptism of water for the remission of sins, and followed him who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit, and confirm them in the feasts of rejoicing of the New Testament.
We may suppose that he who had followed Jesus incessantly must have become better and more prudent than the others. However, the disciples’ conduct proves the contrary. No one is fit for true faith, warm love, and extensive hope except with the Holy Spirit. The disciples heard Jesus’ words, but their hearts remained proud. They saw his glory after his resurrection, but were empty from eternal life, for the Holy Spirit had not yet dwelt in them. Some commentators think that choosing Judas’ successor was a godless, human, hasty work, for the Lord chose Paul in due time as an apostle who had received Judas’ service and authority to preach the Gentiles.
Yet the eleven disciples did not think first of preaching the world, but of renewing the twelve tribes of their people. So Peter behaved in harmony with the other apostles, and called for a big meeting of Jesus’ followers, asking them all to nominate the candidates. Then they placed the final choice in the hands of the Lord as the searcher of the hearts who knows the purposes of the soul. It is observable that Peter did not behave in supremacy as a bishop, nor was the election performed in a democratic way favoring the choice of the majority, but they all came together to God, seeking his divine judgment and immediate interference.
To receive God’s voice, they used lots before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But thereafter when they chose the seven deacons, the apostles gave the church all the option. It happened in Antioch that the Holy Spirit himself chose Barnabas and Paul, while the elders prayed with fasting, seeking Christ’s interference and guidance. In fact, the history of the Acts.of the apostles is the history of Christ who was raised from the dead, and his works are an accomplishment of the spreading of the kingdom of God. We do not live in church under a papal authority, or political democracy, or socialistic dictatorship, but under the direction and guidance of Jesus Christ realized through the power of the Holy Spirit who works in the hearts of the believers.
It is good when we entrust church responsibilities to deacons, elders, and assistants not to rely on our minds, will, or family ability, but on prayer firstly and lastly that Jesus himself might choose his ministers, not according to their money, abilities, or social level, but according to his pleasure alone. Then the Lord’s work is done, and the Lord’s ministers are filled with the Holy Spirit. Success is provided to a priest, elder, or bishop not through his degrees in Theology, relationship with parties, or denominational schools, but through his meeting with Christ who is raised from the dead, and his immediate call by him. He who serves the Lord without this call is subjected to the danger of falling to hell at once.
The eleven apostles were not willing to distribute Christ’s services and authorization independently, for they were aware that no one knew the hearts, tempers, talents, and faithfulness in what is least. A hundred and twenty men prayed together that the Lord might choose one of the candidates for the service of grace, and qualify him with power to carry out his service, for if the Son of God did not interfere in the appointment of the gospel’s minister all his service would be useless.
They nominated two for this office, and we no detailed information about these two equally qualified candidates. We do not know how lots were cast to choose between them. However the one chosen was not the first, but the unknown Matthias who was called through this choice to bear his responsibility as a member of the apostolic college. Not many days after, Christ filled this substitute with his Holy Spirit, and confirmed his joining the kingdom of God. We have no other information about the chosen Matthias.