So what was Peter doing? What is the "office" occupied by Matthias?
God wanted 12 apostles in place.
And Paul made 13.
If your hypothesis were true, however, then we would see a replacement for James after he was killed by Herod and for every apostle that was killed.
True enough, if the Acts of the Apostles were a highly detailed history book in the 21st century manner of historical documentation.
Then we could put aside all the discussion and get down to the real work, prayer.
And James the brother of the Lord would have made 14, but my comment was that 12 seemed to be required to be in place for the start of the church (Acts 2). No doubt reflecting the nation of Israel (12 tribes) which the church would replace.
True enough, if the Acts of the Apostles were a highly detailed history book in the 21st century manner of historical documentation.
If we are using scripture for a basis of our arguments, it doesn't make much sense to discount it when it doesn't support our assumptions. But since the NT is the only 'inspired' word that we have, that's the only evidence we may use for such conclusions. If it were that important, would God have been silent since Judas' replacement?
Then we could put aside all the discussion and get down to the real work, prayer.
Amen. I merely answered the question that was being asked in the post as I see it defined in scripture.