"replacement Disciple" Matthias

[kenrockthefirst]

I'm not sure if this is "serious spirituality" but in Acts 1, the eleven remaining disciples select a "replacement disciple" by drawing straws and settling on a guy called Matthias. As far as I know, that's the last we ever hear of him. Is it fair to say the the "real" "replacement disciple" / apostle was Paul? Not too deep an insight, I grant, and I'd be interested in what you think.

[CatherineM]

He was to replace Judas, who was kind of the accountant for the apostles. Maybe Matthias did the same, and was too busy with the books to do much that was bible worthy. St. Paul is kind of in his own category. He was a man who acted like Christ was returning tomorrow, and was going to hold him personally accountable for every soul he hadn't converted.

[Groo the Wanderer]

Matthias was a real and legitimate Apostle/Bishop. While he did not do anything noteworthy that is recorded in the Bible, the main reason his story is told, methinks, is to show the principle of Apostolic Succession. The Holy Spirit moved Peter (who has already been given the keys to the Kingdom and the authority that goes with them) to replace Judas. The Holy Spirit did not say 'how' to choose - that is left up to Peter.

The methods for choosing bishops (and popes) have varied greatly over the centuries. What is crucial to note is that these decisions are guided by the Holy Spirit, even when some folks choose not to cooperate. This principle was prefigured in Ps 69:25, Ps 109:8 by the way, which are the verses Peter quoted when announcing this course of action.