But remember, the 12 were told that what they bound on earth was bound in heaven. If they chose from the two, the one they chose was bound in heaven, also. God respected the decision. And Paul was never even part of the discussion. As he wasn’t saved until Acts 9, how could he have been?
You are right in your wise assessment. I now have a new idea thanks to you smvoice. It is not a conviction yet however. Replacement theology is a lie is recent a conviction of mine.