[Forest Keeper]

When Matthias was 'selected' by lots (talk about the clueless disciples, 'so, God, You who know the hearts of ALL men, select one of these two we disciples have brought before you') by a group of men who were still in the dark prior to Pentecost. Matthias got the short or long straw and was never heard from again. Was he one of the twelve? Would he have been had the disciples waited until Pentecost to replace Judas? The selection Jesus made on the road to Damascus tells us that Paul was the correct choice for what God intended the disciples-turned-Apostles at Pentecost to accomplish.

Excellent post, MHG. I feel the same way. I instinctively believe it had to be Paul, but I can't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. And Paul much better fits the definition of the meaning of the word "Apostle" from what we are told in scripture. For a related comment, see 6,293.

[MHGinTN]

That drawing of lots without waiting until the Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost reminds me so much of the pow wow Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar had in their impatience to fulufill what God had promised He would do. It’s also a lot like a board of decons meeting don’tchaknow!