Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Acts 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
Judas hanged himself and according to Mat 27:5, perhaps the limb broke for in Acts 1:18 he fell headlong to the ground. It is not how he died that matters, it is that he went to eternity not forgiven, having sought forgiveness in the wrong place.The high priests he sought for forgiveness were equally guilty. There is but one way given to man in which we may be saved.
Judas was with the disciples when Jesus showed them the way.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
This criteria is used as the qualifications of an apostle. They must have been with Jesus and learned from him. Peter adds that they must have been with him through his entire ministry. This disqualifies any future apostles, if we use these criteria. These were Peter's best reasonings, yet the thoughts of Peter.
Paul became an Apostle, having seen Jesus and he was taught by him, by revelation, but was not with him during his ministry. So the true qualifications for an Apostle are to have an encounter with Jesus, and to be sent to a new ministry. There are no new apostles, nor any new addition to the Bible.
Jesus had personally chosen his disciples, after the Father gave them to him. In Jesus' absence and without the Holy Spirit, how shall we make a replacement for Judas? What is the procedure?
Peter comes up with a common sense solution. Perhaps this is what Jesus wanted, and again perhaps he should have waited for the promise to come. The Holy Spirit of truth, then he would truly have the mind of Christ.
Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Wisely they prayed first, my question is if we limit God to two choices when we pray, is this his perfect will? The request was a good one, show us which one, but they wanted a quick answer. My thoughts are they were being like Sarah who in her own mind chose a way for the promised son to be born, seeking another way then God's plan, having grown impatient in waiting.
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
They used the old testament way of choosing, throwing lots. Are we to rely on this method of choice now that the Spirit of truth has come? Do we open the Bible and point at a passage, by chance finding God's will? We have the word to study and the Holy Spirit of truth and prayer to guide us. Often we must wait.
The disciples were in obedience when they chose, they were in fellowship, they were in prayer, they were in the Word, they wanted to do God’s will, they used sanctified common sense, and they did what they could do to rely on God without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Soon the Holy Spirit would come, and they would be fully equipped to serve in Spirit and in truth.
Perhaps Paul was God's choice for the replacement of Judas? Paul considered himself an apostle, but one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
An Apostle was to build on the foundation which is Jesus Christ the word.
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