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But I will add that the Disciples had already received the Spirit in John 20:22. In Acts 1:8 they "receive power". The power of the Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost and Peter and the others amazed their Jewish brethren from other nations, as they heard them speak in their own language. (Acts 2:7,8).

John 20:22 says "And when he said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." This was BEFORE the day of Pentecost, when they received power. In John 20:22 they were given their commission and given the power- of- attorney to do the works of Christ. This included the keys to the kingdom, retaining and remitting of sins, and the power to "whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matt. 16:19.

When they met to choose a replacement for Judas, they had the power of attorney to bind in heaven what they were binding on earth.

Because of this power of attorney they had been given by Christ, I don't understand how they could be "wrong" about their choice of Matthias.

But at the same time, I do not want you to think I am arguing a point with you..:) I am just reading their commission differently than you, I suppose.:)

Again, thank you for sharing your views, dear smvoice!

But again I aver that what matters is Who did the choosing.

In Acts 1, they gave God a choice between two, Joseph and Mattias. That was a false dichotomy (emphasis mine.)

and having prayed, they said, `Thou, Lord, who art knowing the heart of all, shew which one thou didst choose of these two - Acts 1:24 (Young's Literal)

It would be like a faithful Christian maiden asking God whether she should marry Bill or John and then flipping a coin for His answer.

She may never have imagined God would want her to marry horrifying Harold. But God knew. Her coin toss was a false dichotomy.

John 20:22 says "And when he said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." This was BEFORE the day of Pentecost, when they received power. I

We have to approach this very carefully ..

Until the day of Pentecost, until the birthday of the church, the Holy Spirit did not indwell men. The Holy Spirit all throughout the OT (with one exception) was ON THEM not IN THEM

So the Spirit was on them as He willed for His purpose

When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on to the Apostles it was ON THEM not IN THEM

Remember Jesus saying He had to go away so that the Holy Spirit could come?

The apostles did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit when they chose the replacement.. that indwelling Spirit was poured out on not only the apostles but all the disciples on Pentecost.. it is Christ's gift to the church

As the redeemed we have the Holy Spirit in us, that does not mean every decision we make is correct..

Matthias was chosen by men, and did the work of an apostle in bringing the message.. He was a faithful messenger.. But Christ had already selected His replacement for Judas.. Paul

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

This appears to be an account written about the incident in John 20:22 prior to its occurrence...And the Apostle Thomas wasn't included in the bunch...

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Whether they received 'power' immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit or at Pentecost is possibly in question...

And this indwelling of the Holy Spirit was apparently before the 12th Apostle was chosen by the disciples...We are told all Christians will be indwelt with the Holy Spirit but not everyone will be 'filled' with the Holy Spirit...