Most have no idea who Matthias is. There is a reason for this, and a lesson to the modern-day religious that go to the churches and don’t study the Word of God or even abide by it.

The story takes up only fifteen verses in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Within these verses the name “Matthias” only appears in two of them. This in itself should send alert signs to those that actually bother to read it. To those that study it becomes understood why this is.

Let’s look at these fifteen verses:

Acts 1:12-26 NKJV – Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.’ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Within this telling we see that the apostles took it upon themselves to pick the replacement for Judas. They state it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet the Holy Ghost does not descend upon them until after this event.

Therefore, we can come to one conclusion. Peter has once again denied Christ. Peter is confronted about denying Christ in the book of Galatians as well by forcing gentiles to circumcise.

Also note that Joseph called Barsabas Justus and Matthias had witnessed the events of Christ ministry and seen that He had ascended into heaven. In simpler terms they were of once accord and fellow followers of Christ. From other sources we find that Matthias also died a martyr’s death.

Now I made mention about Peter denying Christ once again. He also encouraged those with him to break one of Christ commandments. Therefore, becoming the second time Peter denied Christ. What was this event?

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

What was Christ commandment about how we are to pray?

Matthew 6:5-6 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Praying in a group as these did was in defiance of this command. For Christ made it very clear:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.”

This means each person is to pray by themselves to God where no human can see them. When praying in a group all present see you and thus it is sin.

This sin they committed resulted in the picking, through gambling, a false apostle. Even though he was of one accord with them.

The true replacement for Judas was someone chosen by Christ Himself and in fact hated, hunted and killed those that were the followers of Jesus Christ.

It has been proven that when someone that truly does an 180 degree turn in their beliefs, that was so totally against a cause or a religion, becomes someone that is fully and completely committed to the cause they once opposed.

Saul who was a Pharisee and truly hated those that are now called “Christians” that he killed several hundred of them. The most notable was Stephen. He wrote most of the letters that now form the New Testament.

He was not chosen by a haggle of people gathered together in pray, in defiance of Christ, but by Christ Himself. Additionally, no lots were cast.

The lesson: 1) Obey Christ in all His commandments including where and when you pray to God. 2) God chooses, not humans. 3) Peter denied Jesus Christ three more times. Therefore, is not worthy of any type of praise. Only God through Jesus Christ should be praised and honored forever and ever.