What do you make of the deal with Matthias? I think, under possible correction, we'd take that as precedent for the whole "passing on" thing.
Matthias was chosen by the casting of lots. I would hope that priests are chosen based on a little more than that. :) However, I did read that the Jews considered casting of lots as an appeal for God's guidance. But still, this does not appear to be a reliable method, especially without the indwelling Holy Spirit. :)
In any event, the replacement of Judas was much more than naming a new member of the clergy. For lack of a better way to say it, for "Jewish" purposes there was a special significance to there being not more and not less than 12 Apostles (see Luke 22:28-30, Rev. 21:10-14). Therefore, I wouldn't be able to make a comparison among choosing THE new Apostle, and Apostolic succession.
But I wasn't talking about the manner so much as the perceived need and authority. The eleven thought they had to and they thought they could.
And I don't think the distinction between apostle and clergy is a great as you seem to think it is. YEAH there's a distinction, but it's not all that great to me.
The NOT Rev. Mad Dawg.
The OT has examples of how the Jews handled some decisions - casting lots was one of them.
Normally our priests attain a minimum of a 4 year college degree followed by 4 years of seminary training. Probably a tad more sophisticated than casting lots. But in light of how some individuals got through, maybe not sophisticated enough. :(