Matthias was selected
When the disciples had gathered together after Christ Jesus had ascended, Peter arose and framed the dilemma that occurred when Judas Iscariot had arranged to sell Jesus to the chief priests and Pharisees (Matt 26:14-16; 27:3), betrayed Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:43-45; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:1-5), and went and hung himself (Acts 1:18). Then Peter stated that a replacement must be selected to work with the other eleven apostles to bear witness to Christ Jesus' ministry, sacrificial death, and resurrection.
23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1:23-26
Why was there a selection?
When Jesus began to select disciples to assist Him in His earthly ministry Jesus taught and prepared them before sending them out. Jesus then sent them out in pairs, two by two, to tell fellow Israelites about Him and that He was coming to their town or village (Mark 6:6-7, 56; Matt 9:35; Luke 13:22). Jesus did likewise with seventy more disciples a little later (Luke 10:1). This set a pattern or template for the ministry work of the disciples representing the Lord Jesus. These men were to serve in pairs.
What was not stated directly was that some of these men were already married. Their wives traveled with them or were agreeing to this ministry work when these men were absent from the family unit. Many years later Apostle Paul brought up this very detail as part of his argument about financial support for those who minister the gospel to others (1 Corinthians 9:4-6).
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 9:5
Peter was addressing the glaring problem that the eleventh disciple was unable to do his full part of witnessing because he had no ministry partner. God had emphasized in the garden of Eden that man should not serve alone but with a suitable partner for the intended work. In Adam's case that need was for a woman to help him be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. In this circumstance the focus was not population growth but of telling others about the Saviour of the world. They were to share the good news that by the simple choice of exercising faith in Christ Jesus all men, women and children could have eternal life through His sacrificial life, death, and subsequent resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-6). Peter was asserting that this ministry of the gospel was to proceed and not be impaired by Judas Iscariot's departure and death. Peter was asking for their help to find a suitable partner for Judas the brother of James (Luke 6:16), or Simon the Canaanite (Matt 10:4), or whichever was the former ministry partner of Judas Iscariot. [Perhaps these two texts just cited conveyed to us these twelve apostles did not always work with the same ministry partner thereby learning to be more versatile.]
The body of believers agreed and offered two capable men, Joseph called Barsabas who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they turned to the Lord in prayer and asked His help to select a ministy partner for the eleventh apostle. After this the disciples cast lots to select one of those two men (Acts 1:23-26).
Did this make Matthias an apostle in the same category and level as the other eleven chosen men? The two men selected for consideration came by the choice of man. After prayer, one was chosen by lot above the other. But did these disciples intend to make Matthias into an apostle directly selected by the Lord Jesus? Jesus had done this for the original twelve and again for the seventy a little while later? Nothing was stated in scripture other than this, "and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Did that mean, in the mental conception of the early disciples, a working partner or twelfth apostle? So little was recorded about Matthias that nothing was directly given to answer that question. However, we have a very important event in Acts chapter nine, Paul's subsequent statements, along with numerous examples of ministry to consider. Then using the whole body of text in a consistent manner this can be answered.
Paul was a "chosen vessel"?
There were many verses in the New Testament that emphasized the specific calling and special capacity given to Saul of Tarsus. He was very instumental in the growth of the scattered Jewish people in Grecian and Roman areas and specially so amongst the gentiles in those areas. But first Saul had to be converted from his previous ardent persecution of those who trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas [Joses, Acts 4:36] took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Acts 9:1-30
5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. Acts 22:5-21
12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:12-18
After a period of learning and growth Saul began to serve in new and challenging ways to build Christ's church. "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon." (1 Corinthians 3:10). The following descriptions are consistent with that.
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Galatians 1:15-17
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Romans 1:1
1Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: 3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Paul began to fulfill his calling to be a witness to having seen and heard the Lord Jesus after his resurrection. But that brought adversity and persecution leading to an attempt to kill Paul. So Paul was sent to Tarsus, his native area in the Roman empire, to let this animosity subside.
29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts 9:29-31
Barnabas was sent or apostled
The ministry of the apostles and early disciples began to flourish so much that more workers were needed. "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch" (Acts 11:22). After assessing the need Barnabas "exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord" (Acts 11:23). Then Barnabas sought for special help.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26
But circumstances changed and a believing prophet Agabus prophesied of a great famine, a "great dearth throughout all the world" that was quickly coming.
27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:27-30 [In Galatians 2:1 Paul stated that Titus accompanied them.]
Here Barnabas was recorded as leading according to the charge of service given to him by "the church which was in Jerusalem". When Barnabas and Saul, using his Hebrew name, delivered the charitable gift to the church which was in Jerusalem they also gave a full report of the activities of teaching and service at Antioch. "And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark." (Acts 12:25). After their return and a season of service a message came from the Holy Spirit to the body of believers, "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (Acts 13:2). In Acts 13:3-8 Barnabas was recorded as taking the lead position but after the episode with Elymas the sorcerer Luke reported that this leadership position changed by stating, "Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia" (Acts 13:13).
Thereafter the description was of Saul, now identified as Paul in this dominant Grecian and Roman area, taking the lead and then Barnabas was his helper in Acts 13:43, 46, 50 and in Acts 15:2, 22. Now Luke used a unique phrase in Acts 14:14 saying, "the apostles, Barnabas and Paul". This was consistent with the charge of service that was given to them when sent out from Antioch to declare the gospel amongst the scattered Jewish synagogues like those in Acts 13:1-5 and to interested gentiles like those in Acts 13:6-12.
Remember that Barnabas was originally sent out by the Jerusalem church to serve and help the church at Antioch. Barnabas had a much longer ministry at Antioch than Saul [hereafter Paul] had. Barnabas had proven himself earlier at Jerusalem and again when sent to Antioch (Acts 11:19-22). Barnabas was therefor given the leading charge by the Holy Spirit and the church at Antioch (Acts 13:2-3). Consistent with this in Acts 11:30-12:25 Barnabas and Paul gave a report to the Jerusalem church about Barnabas' original commission at Antioch. Because Barnabas was directly commissioned and more fully known among them he was named first.
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. Acts 15:12
After this report at Jerusalem Paul began to use more fully and excel in his gifts as demonstrated with Elymas in Acts 13:8-11. Luke and many other brethren recognized that (Ephesians 3:7; Galatians 2:9).
8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. 10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Acts 13:8-11
11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Acts 19:11-12
9And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. Acts 20:9-11
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:4
Thus Luke reported their further ministry work with the expression "Paul and Barnabas" beginning in Acts 13:43 and restated again in Acts 13:46, 50.
2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. 6And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Acts 13:2-6
8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. Acts 14:8-10
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, Acts 14:14
2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 22Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Acts 15:2-22
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Acts 15:35
Why was the expression "apostle", or its derivatives, used of Matthias in Acts 1:26, of Barnabas in Acts 14:14, and of various others?
First let us examine the scriptural use of apostle in its various forms. The Greek word ἀπόστολος, Strongs G652, a masculine noun, meaning "a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders" has been specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ and in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers and also to some lesser known individuals. This word "apostle" and its derivative Greek expressions, often translated "sent", were used to point to the significant purpose for which these indiviudals were sent to declare, teach, promote, and clarify the gospel message and the proper order and functioning of the various new testament churches. There were many similar events recorded that will help us to understand how God used Matthias in connection with the eleventh apostle that he was paired with. Various examples of individuals commissioned to do specific tasks follow. Compare the work of Barnabas, Timothy, Silvanus, Titus and others.
Barnabas: Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. ... 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul Acts 11:22, 30
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Acts 12:25
Timothy / Timotheus: 1 Timothy 1:18; 6:20
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. Acts 19:22
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. Romans 16:21
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 1 Corinthians 4:17
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Corinthians 1:1
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 2 Corinthians 1:19
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Philippians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, Colossians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 1 Thessalonians 3:2
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:1
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 1 Timothy 1:18
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 1 Timothy 6:20
Silvanus: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 2 Corinthians 1:19
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:1
By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 1 Peter 5:12
Titus: Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:6
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 2 Corinthians 8:16
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:23
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 2 Corinthians 12:18
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus 1:4
Judas: We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. Acts 15:27
Silas: We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. Acts 15:27
Erastus: So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. Acts 19:22
Tychicus: And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 2 Timothy 4:12
These capable servants were given responsibility to carry out various ministry aspects of teaching, encouraging, correcting, guiding, and of witnessing to the power of Christ in them. Most of them were used by Paul the apostle to expand and increase the effectiveness of his ministry. They were sent out by a primary apostle to fulfill the directives given to them as a secondary apostle. They served under Paul as an extension of Paul to reach as many as possible and to build the believers up in the common faith.
Jesus had directly selected Paul
As detailed earlier in Acts 9:1-30, Acts 22:5-21, and Acts 26:12-18 the risen Lord Jesus had intervened in Paul's journey to Damascus and chose him as a vessel of His mercy (Acts 9:15). Before this intervention Paul had sought to bring charges against and to punish those who followed "the way" (Acts 24:14; 2 Peter 2:2) of salvation through Christ Jesus. Paul affirmed his selection by his words of testimony in the introduction to his epistles and sometimes later on in his letters to the various churches. Paul had seen and heard the risen Lord Jesus, received various visions and messages from Him (2 Corinthians 12:1-7; Acts 22:9; 2 27:22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24), manifested the spiritual gifts (Hebrews 2:4), suffered much willingly (2 Corinthians 6:4-6), and broadly testified to the resurrection of Christ Jesus (Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-12). Paul gave us the most detailed explanations of the way of salvation, of faith in Christ, of the working of the church body, and of future prophetic things, to name a few. Here are some portions of Paul's testimonials.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God Romans 1:1
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office Romans 11:13
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 1 Corinthians 1:1
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 1 Corinthians 9:1
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 9:2
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 Corinthians 15:9
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia 2 Corinthians 1:1
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 2 Corinthians 12:12
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) Galatians 1:1
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Galatians 1:15-17
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, Colossians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 1 Timothy 1:1
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 1 Timothy 2:7
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:1
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 2 Timothy 1:11
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; Titus 1:1
None of the original eleven apostles took such pains to describe their calling, their ministry, their apostleship, and their capacity like Paul of Tarsus did. We can therefore understand clearly there was a difference between a generic apostle sent for a specific temporary purpose and the specific twelve apostles who shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Those twelve men were elevated to a higher calling of leadership and service (Revelation 21:14) than any other type of apostle called into a specific term or type of service.
We differentiate between the twelve chosen apostles and any others called and sent out to a specific type and or period of service. We use a capital or uppercase "A" when speaking of the twelve [A]postles and we use a lowercase "a" when speaking of any other kind of temporary [a]postle or [a]postleship. We use a lowercase "a" even if it may pertain to Apostle Paul when sent out from Antioch with Barnabas. This was because that was done in a manner placing Barnabas and Paul under the charge of the sending church body for a season of time and purpose that started in Acts 13:2-4 and was completed in Acts 14:26.
During this ministry period Paul did not serve solely and fully independently as a direct representative or Apostle of Christ Jesus. But he often used his Apostleship position with its significant gifts while in that service when sent out by the church at Antioch. However, during his second and third missionary journey Paul initated these by his Apostolic authority (Acts 15:36) and chose his helpers to assist him in various ways as needed at various times and circumstances. As detailed above, many were asked to serve as apostles on behalf of Paul the Apostle to more effectively extend the impact of the gospel message and expand the worldwide church of Christ Jesus for His glory.
How then do we understand the selection of Matthias?
Before the day of Pentecost came with the Holy Spirit's indwelling and infusion of special gifts in Acts chapter two Matthias was selected. From the large body of text reviewed we can understand that the sole purpose was to provide a suitable ministry partner for the eleventh Apostle. God had instructed Israel that a single witness against someone was not to be accepted but that two or three witnesses were necessary to bring a charge against an individual (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16 also 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28).
That in principle also meant that a single witness to such an astounding event as the resurrection of Christ was also unacceptable. Thus the immediate need for the unpaired Apostle to have another working partner to verify their message by also being an eye witness. Their combined statements would include that Jesus was the Christ, that he died according to the scriptures, was buried, was raised again to life according to the scriptures (Acts 17:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8), had ascended again to their Heavenly Father (Acts 1:1-11; 7:55), and sits on God's right hand upon His throne (Acts 2:33; 5:31).
The same expression, "apostle," was used of Matthias in Acts 1:26 and of Barnabas in Acts 14:14. That meant they were both commissioned by a lower authority as an [a]postle and not by Christ's sovereign authority as an [A]postle. Matthias went in and out with the other Apostles working alongside them but under their authority. He had a very privileged position and with it came great responsibility.
Matthias: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1:26
This was the underlying reason for the selection of two very capable men and the incipient church asking God to chose the end result by casting lots. No more was given regarding the specific work of Matthias. Many of the Apostles were only mentioned in generic terms of prayer and teaching. The three Apostles that were more fully detailed were Peter, John, and Paul. While the death of James was explained, no other details of his ministry were given.