Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
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24 February 2012
+ Matthias, Apostle +
24 February, New Testament
After the Ascension of Our Lord, Jesus' followers at Jerusalem chose Matthias to replace Judas: "And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)" Apart from the information given in the first chapter of Acts (vv. 12-26), we know nothing about him.
One extra-biblical account says that Saint Matthias was slain by cannibals in Ethiopia; another traditions claims that he was stoned and then beheaded by Jews in Jerusalem. This account lends itself to his customary symbol in religious art: The sword from his beheading is superimposed over a book or scroll representing Holy Scripture.
Lection
Psalm 134
Isaiah 66:1-2
Acts 1:15-26
Matthew 11:25-30
Collect
Lord God, heavenly King, whose chose apostles have witnessed to us regarding Your resurrection, grant that Your Church, ever preserved from false teachers, may praise Your wonderful works and walk in the power of Your resurrection; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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After the Ascension of Our Lord, Jesus' followers at Jerusalem chose Matthias to replace Judas: "And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)" Apart from the information given in the first chapter of Acts (vv. 12-26), we know nothing about him.One extra-biblical account says that Saint Matthias was slain by cannibals in Ethiopia; another traditions claims that he was stoned and then beheaded by Jews in Jerusalem. This account lends itself to his customary symbol in religious art: The sword from his beheading is superimposed over a book or scroll representing Holy Scripture.
Lection
Psalm 134
Isaiah 66:1-2
Acts 1:15-26
Matthew 11:25-30
Collect
Lord God, heavenly King, whose chose apostles have witnessed to us regarding Your resurrection, grant that Your Church, ever preserved from false teachers, may praise Your wonderful works and walk in the power of Your resurrection; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Technorati Tags: Saint Matthias | St. Matthias | Apostle Matthias | Matthias | Judas | apostle | martyr | martyrdom | Church Year | liturgical calendar | Christian | Lutheran | commemorations | biography | hagiography | historical theology | Church history | Aardvark Alley ¶ 00:01 |
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Here is why I believe Peter made a mistake when he initiated the election of Matthias to replace Judas:
1. Apostles are chosen directly by our Lord, John 15:16 “You did not choose me but I chose you.”
2. The second Bible quotation Peter uses to justify the election is from Psalm 109:5 “May his days be few; may another seize his position.” The Psalms clearly states that this is said by “wicked and deceitful mouths,” in order to destroy a righteous person – exactly the opposite of what should be taking place here.
3. In Acts 2:14, shortly after the election of Matthias, Luke writes, “But Peter, standing with the eleven …” By this the writer seems to disregard the election of Matthias. No linguistic explanations will make this go away.
4. Our Lord Himself chose St. Paul to be an Apostle. St. Paul refers to himself as “an Apostle” 16 times in his writings.
5. There are some who suggest that Matthias and St. Paul both could be Apostles. The problem with that is that in Revelation 21:14 we read, “And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
It seems to me that Acts 1 shows that the Apostles were like ordinary people even after they had received the Holy Spirit on Easter Sunday. What they were lacking was “the power”, which our Lord had promised them just before His Ascension, Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you …” This was the unique gift which they received on Pentecost for the successful beginning of the Church.
Finally, I have no doubt that Matthias was a very fine person, much better than I will ever be. It is just that he was the victim of Peter’s impatience.
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
1. Apostles are chosen directly by our Lord, John 15:16 “You did not choose me but I chose you.”
2. The second Bible quotation Peter uses to justify the election is from Psalm 109:5 “May his days be few; may another seize his position.” The Psalms clearly states that this is said by “wicked and deceitful mouths,” in order to destroy a righteous person – exactly the opposite of what should be taking place here.
3. In Acts 2:14, shortly after the election of Matthias, Luke writes, “But Peter, standing with the eleven …” By this the writer seems to disregard the election of Matthias. No linguistic explanations will make this go away.
4. Our Lord Himself chose St. Paul to be an Apostle. St. Paul refers to himself as “an Apostle” 16 times in his writings.
5. There are some who suggest that Matthias and St. Paul both could be Apostles. The problem with that is that in Revelation 21:14 we read, “And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
It seems to me that Acts 1 shows that the Apostles were like ordinary people even after they had received the Holy Spirit on Easter Sunday. What they were lacking was “the power”, which our Lord had promised them just before His Ascension, Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you …” This was the unique gift which they received on Pentecost for the successful beginning of the Church.
Finally, I have no doubt that Matthias was a very fine person, much better than I will ever be. It is just that he was the victim of Peter’s impatience.
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
# posted by 
: 19:21
: 19:21
George, although we have no canonical resource to absolutely prove it, I've thought the same thing for years and bring it up from time to time, especially in studies of Acts or if I happen to be preaching on St. Matthias Day.
When you look at the impetuosity of the Eleven, particularly Simon, it's a minor miracle that they ever acknowledged Paul as an Apostle, since to do so was to tacitly admit that they were wrong in their pre-Pentecost election of Matthias.
When you look at the impetuosity of the Eleven, particularly Simon, it's a minor miracle that they ever acknowledged Paul as an Apostle, since to do so was to tacitly admit that they were wrong in their pre-Pentecost election of Matthias.
Orycteropus Afer: thank you. I am utterly stunned. I expected a serious reprimand. You are the first person to suggest I might be right on this. Your comment brings to mind the other side of the coin: Paul’s concern about whether the Gospel he was preaching was, in fact, the Gospel. It must have been an awesome moment when (Gal. 2:9), “they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship …” I have believed for a long time that this story speaks about the fundamental purpose of the Church: to proclaim the Gospel and “to remember the poor.”
It also suggests that, if I am right about Matthias, there may be other places in Scripture where a story is told without comment and we make the pious assumption that what took place was right and proper. Maybe they are there so that the people of God can exercise that “spiritual discernment” St. Paul speaks about? For instance, I have wondered for along time why a grand spectacle was good one day, and a “still quiet voice” on another in the famous story of Elijah.
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
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It also suggests that, if I am right about Matthias, there may be other places in Scripture where a story is told without comment and we make the pious assumption that what took place was right and proper. Maybe they are there so that the people of God can exercise that “spiritual discernment” St. Paul speaks about? For instance, I have wondered for along time why a grand spectacle was good one day, and a “still quiet voice” on another in the famous story of Elijah.
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
# posted by : 00:01
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