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There was a particular set of criteria that qualified Matthias to be the next apostle.
In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter discusses who should replace Judas. He then begins to go through a set of criteria before praying to God for guidance, ultimately choosing Matthias.
In a homily of St. John Chrysostom that is featured in the Church’s Office of Readings, we learn there were very specific requirements that the replacement needed to meet before they were even considered.
Lived in our company
So, he goes on, we must choose from those men who lived in our company. Notice how insistent he is that they should be eyewitnesses. Even though the Spirit would come to ratify the choice, Peter regards this prior qualification as most important. Those who lived in our company, he continued, all through the time when the Lord Jesus came and went among us. He refers to those who had dwelt with Jesus, not just those who had been his disciples. For of course from the very beginning many had followed him.
It was important for Peter that the replacement be someone who was there with them and who similarly walked with Jesus and learned directly from him.
Continued below.
Why Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as an apostle
In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter discusses who should replace Judas. He then begins to go through a set of criteria before praying to God for guidance, ultimately choosing Matthias.
In a homily of St. John Chrysostom that is featured in the Church’s Office of Readings, we learn there were very specific requirements that the replacement needed to meet before they were even considered.
Lived in our company
So, he goes on, we must choose from those men who lived in our company. Notice how insistent he is that they should be eyewitnesses. Even though the Spirit would come to ratify the choice, Peter regards this prior qualification as most important. Those who lived in our company, he continued, all through the time when the Lord Jesus came and went among us. He refers to those who had dwelt with Jesus, not just those who had been his disciples. For of course from the very beginning many had followed him.
It was important for Peter that the replacement be someone who was there with them and who similarly walked with Jesus and learned directly from him.
Continued below.
Why Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as an apostle
