Yes — Peter saw the need because the apostles were still expecting the Kingdom and twelve apostles were needed for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Peter acted because Jesus had promised the Twelve that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. With Judas gone, only eleven remained, so Peter saw the vacancy as something that had to be filled before the Lord's return. Les Feldick teaches that Peter was not out of line; he was acting in perfect accord with the will of God.
Acts 1:20-22 — This passage contains Peter's own explanation that Judas's office had to be filled by a qualified eyewitness of Jesus's ministry and resurrection.
Matthew 19:28 — Jesus's promise of twelve thrones explains why twelve apostles were the expected number.
The book of Acts records Peter addressing the group of about 120 believers after Judas's death. In Acts 1:20, Peter says, "For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take." He then declares that one of the men who had accompanied them all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, beginning from the baptism of John to the day He was taken up, must be ordained as a witness with them of His resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). Jesus had earlier promised the Twelve, "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). In Acts 1:6, the disciples still ask Jesus whether He would "at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel."
Les Feldick teaches that Peter was not out of line, nor was he running ahead of God. In fact, Les says Peter was "right on" and "in perfect accord to the will of God" when he immediately took steps to fill the twelfth slot. The reason is that the apostles had been left expecting the Lord's return in short order; they did not see 1,900 and some years down the road. Les points out that Jesus had promised the Twelve they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. With Judas gone, only eleven remained, so the vacant position had to be filled. Les also insists that Paul was never intended for that slot. Paul had absolutely no connection with the twelve, he did not meet the qualifications in Acts 1:21, and he was called separately as the apostle of the Gentiles.
Les Feldick says no. He has read good men who castigated Peter and thought he was out in left field by not waiting for Paul. But Les argues that Paul wouldn't have fit in that slot any more than a square peg in a round hole. Paul had no connection with the twelve, and Peter was in perfect accord to the will of God when he moved to fill Judas's place.
Peter said the replacement had to be one of the men who had accompanied them all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, beginning from the baptism of John to the day He was taken up, and had to be a witness of His resurrection. Les emphasizes that the man had to have been converted from John's baptism, been a follower of Jesus throughout His three years of ministry, witnessed His resurrection, and heard Him speak in the forty days before His ascension.
Jesus had promised the Twelve that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel when the Kingdom was set up. The disciples had not been told the Kingdom would be postponed, so they were expectant. With Judas gone, only eleven remained, and the number needed to be restored to twelve for the promise to be fulfilled.
What Really Happened at Pentecost? Acts 2 Explained
Now realize these are not authored books, they are just word for word transcriptions from what I�m saying here in the class, and maybe someday we�ll take the time to put all this into an authored book where we can have the footnotes and the bibliography and all the rest. But so far these booklets are just transcriptions.
Filling the Vacant Position
Les explains that with only eleven apostles left, the first order of business was filling Judas's place because Peter expected the Lord's return soon, not centuries later.
Qualifications for Judas's Replacement
Les explains that the replacement had to be a man who had followed Jesus from John's baptism, through the resurrection, and heard Him in the 40 days before the ascension.
Twelve Thrones for Twelve Tribes
Les says the disciples had not forgotten Jesus's promise that they would sit on twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel, so the number twelve mattered.
Promise of Rule Over Israel
Les notes Jesus promised the Twelve they would rule the twelve tribes from Jerusalem when the kingdom was set up, so they were eager and expectant.
Paul Not One of the Twelve
Les argues Paul had no connection with the twelve, and Peter was not wrong to fill the place with Matthias rather than waiting for Paul.
Paul Did Not Qualify
Les says Saul of Tarsus would never have filled the qualifications in Acts 1:21 because he was not part of that group, and God called him as apostle to the Gentiles.
Expectation of the King's Return
Les says the twelve men were so expectant of the King setting up His Kingdom that Peter burned himself out preaching to Israel that their crucified King was indeed their Messiah.
Acts 1:20: For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Peter applies this psalm to Judas and says another must take his office.
Acts 1:21-22: Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
The Bible records the qualification Peter set for Judas's replacement.
Matthew 19:28: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This is the promise that made the number twelve significant.
Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
The disciples' question shows they still expected the kingdom to be restored to Israel at that time.
No, according to Les Feldick. He says Peter was right on and in perfect accord with the will of God because the apostles expected the Lord's return in short order and needed twelve men for the twelve tribes. Paul would not have fitted that slot.
Les says Paul had absolutely no connection with the twelve. He did not meet the qualifications Peter laid down in Acts 1:21—being with Jesus from John's baptism to the ascension—and God called him separately as the apostle of the Gentiles.
Jesus promised the Twelve they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. With Judas gone, only eleven remained, so the vacant spot had to be filled to restore the promised number.
Watch the Teaching: What Really Happened at Pentecost? Acts 2 Explained