Acts 1: Matthias is chosen as Apostle #12

                We learn that Jesus continued to teach for forty days after His Resurrection. Jesus continued to instruct His Apostles and while doing so, one of the Apostles asked Jesus: “…Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” and His response was; “…It is not for you to know the times of the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:6-7) After He had said these things, Jesus was taken up into the clouds and the Apostles looked up and marveled. Two men who were presumably angels stood dressed in white and said; “…why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

The Apostles then returned to Jerusalem where they went into an upper room to pray about who should be the next Apostles, because Judas had betrayed Jesus and was no longer an Apostle. One Apostle explains what was the end of Judas; “…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. 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 1:18-19)

                Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and felt so bad about doing it, he committed Suicide. The Apostles therefore in replacing him, chose two men who had been with them ‘Joseph Justus’, and ‘Matthias’ and this is the manner in which they chose between the two men; “…they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship…” (Acts 1:24-25) After much praying they came to the conclusion that Matthias was the Lord’s choice and he would be ordained to be an Apostle for the Lord’s church. Today in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, the Apostles follow something similar to choose new Apostles when older ones finish their mission on the earth.