Acts 1 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now 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. 19 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. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
“21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. “
Excellent!!!
Now you know the pattern revealed in Scripture.
Any Apostolic succession must involve two things:
1. “which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Rules out any man today.
2. Pick two that meet the criteria. “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.”
3. Pray! “Andd they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen”
4. Do this to replace Judas! “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
3. Cast lots - “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias;”
Judas was officially replace. It will never happen again. Nor will there ever be a man that accompanied the Apostles from the beginning of John’s baptism through the resurrection.
And beyond that, there is no Apostolic succession. The foundation is complete.
Acts 8:4 Therefore those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
These were not any of the original twelve. They were simply believers. Recall that the church had at least 5,000 members (Acts 4:4)
Where did they go?
Acts 11:19-24
19So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.
20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
22The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
23Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
25And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;
26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.