Bruce Cooper

Was Paul God’s Choice for Replacing Judas?

I know that I am not the first person to have ever asked this question because I checked. If my estimates are correct, I would be the 8,143,484th person to have asked this question (little humour here, sorry, won’t happen again). (Pause for effect).

Actually, gotquestions.org has an article on this very question, which can be viewed here. If you read the article (go ahead, I’ll wait . . . .), you will note that the response they provide is inconclusive. I don’t disagree with their conclusion, but I do know that Saul/Paul was specifically selected by Jesus (which we know is a fact), to fulfill God’s purposes.

Can you imagine the New Testament without the letters that Paul wrote? Can you imagine the New Testament without the guidance and particulars that Paul provided? No, neither can I. I love the Gospels but what was lacking in one, at least to my mind, is provided in the other. It’s almost like the picture of a scale where the two parts form the whole, neither is complete without the other.

Can you imagine what Peter and the other apostles first thought when they came to hear and know of Paul’s witness and ministry? The fact that Paul deliberately went to Jerusalem twice to speak with Peter and the other apostles is indeed noteworthy. I found an interesting overview by Ed Bromfield of these two visits here, which I hope you will take the time to read.

And who of us hasn’t wondered about Peter’s statement about Paul as recorded in 2 Peter 3:14-16 NASB which reads as follows: “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

Interesting to note that Peter considered Paul’s written letters as Scripture (the rest of the Scriptures). That stands as a pretty authoritative acknowledgement of Paul and his witness, from my perspective. Can you even imagine the dialogue that was exchanged on their first meeting! Did they praise God? I’m sure they did. Did they hug one another? I don’t think that even deserves to be asked as a question. You just know that they did. Oh to be a fly on the wall for that meeting!

I know this, that I am indebted to God, who selected and sent Paul to be a witness to the Gentiles, of which I am. God in His wisdom, selected the right man, who God knew could and would fulfill His purposes. And who of us, as we read through his letters, does not come to admire and love this human being, who was consumed in serving Christ? One day we shall meet, and I oh so look forward to that!

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!

19 comments

  1. Hi Bruce, thanks for posting this. Interesting question I never heard before. Every time I’ve read the account of Matthias, I’ve never had an iota of reason to think otherwise. I think this is a blown-out-of-porportion issue and has no credence. I believe Matthias is absolutely legitimate.

    I agree with the gotquestions.org conclusion: “So, what name will be written on the 12th foundation in the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14)? The Bible does not explicitly say, but it likely will be Matthias.”

    Interesting topic, but not worth a lot of debate. Much thanks for running it, Bruce!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Hi David, I agree, I’m thinking Matthias’ name will be there representing the 12 tribes of Israel also. But (there is that word again) I’ve heard this question quite a few times and also wondered myself. If nothing else, it was a good leadin to give thought to Paul, whom I greatly admire. God’s grace, peace and blessings to you and yours as always!

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Interesting. I have never heard the question before since Acts is clear who it was and Paul did not meet Peter’s standard for qualification. The other issue is how many apostles were there? Apparently, a lot more than twelve.

    Shalom!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I have often wondered about the many specific callings of God with Specific people. Paul is one. Through the ages, Moses, various prophets, kings, Missionary callings after “Go ye into all the world was uttered” in jungles deserts and all over the world.
    There’s a book for you to write Bruce, down to our own individual callings with our own spiritual gifts. Do any of us fit outside the bounds (are we exempt) of God’s calling? Another question.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Gary, that would be a hard book to write because we are all different and no, I don’t think that any of us are exempt. I suspect that each is unique for a reason that often only God knows, according to His purposes. One day we will know! Blessings brother!

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      • Bruce, my prayer for the Church is that every member of the Body of Christ would know his/her calling and follow it – that none of us would be running around trying to do someone else’s ministry or sitting around waiting for someone else to do ours. Then, as all the members of the Body are in place and functioning as they should, the Body will be complete, and the work will be complete, as well.

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  5. Interesting post, Bruce.
    Knowing Peter, Paul, and likely Matthias, I am confident that none of them are going to be concerned with whose names are on the foundation. The New Jerusalem is all about Jesus, and our attention will be completely on Him.

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