6. Roman Catholicism points to Matthias being chosen to replace Judas as the 12th apostle in Acts chapter 1 as an example of "apostolic succession," but it is nothing of the kind. While Matthias did indeed succeed Judas as an apostle, this is hardly an argument for apostolic succession. Rather, this just shows the divine determination to launch the New Testament Church with 12 Apostles (just as the Old Testament had had 12 tribes of Israel). Matthias being chosen to replace Judas is only an argument for the church being prepared to replace ungodly leaders (such as Judas), where necessary. The scant Acts 1 references to Matthias being appointed as apostle never say enough to establish an 'apostolic succession' argument upon. Neither, by the way, is this an argument that churches should only operate through 12 leaders, as a few now teach.
I would note that actually God had chosen a replacement for Judas.. permission for the apostles to replace him is not found anywhere in scripture... God had already chosen Paul.. A major author of the NT and teacher in the New testament church ...where as the selection of the apostles is never heard of in the scriptures again
The idea that the selection of Matthias as the Apostle to replace Judas was somehow out of line, out of order, impermissable, "not what God wanted," etc., is also not found in Scripture. It's a rather bizarre Protestant "tradition of men" which nullifies the Word of God.
Incidentally, 2 Tim 2:2 clearly implies apostolic succession. Who do you think ordained the first generation of episcopoi in the Church? Do you think they ordained themselves? Hardly; in fact, Paul specifically talks about the authority he conferred on Timothy through the laying-on of hands.
***I would note that actually God had chosen a replacement for Judas.. permission for the apostles to replace him is not found anywhere in scripture... God had already chosen Paul.. A major author of the NT and teacher in the New testament church ...where as the selection of the apostles is never heard of in the scriptures again****
Where exactly in Scripture does it say that God had chosen Paul as a replacement for Judas?
As for the fact that Matthias is not heard from again, there were twelve Apostles and of those twelve, only Matthew, Peter, James, John and Jude wrote anything included in the NT. Two of the Gospels were not written by Apostles, but by close associates of them. There were gospels written by other Apostles that were not included in the canon of Scripture.
What do we hear of the others in the NT?
Andrew, never mentioned after Acts.
James, Son of Alphaeus, mentioned only four times in the NT and then only in the lists of the Apostles.
Philip, never mentioned after Acts.
Bartholomew, never mentioned after Acts.
Thomas, never mentioned after Acts.
Jude/Thaddeus, rarely mentioned in NT. Some believe he may have written the Epistle of Jude, some disagree with that finding.
Simon, the Zealot, only mentioned in lists of Apostles, not in any other way.