My preacher said that Paul was the true replacement for Judas instead of Mathias. What do you think?
While I have heard this line of thought spoken of before, I do not believe that Paul was supposed to be the replacement for Judas. Paul’s apostleship was of an entirely different nature than that of the twelve. Not until Israel’s complete failure had been demonstrated in the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 was Paul called, and then not of men, but by revelation of Jesus Christ as we read in Galatians 1:1, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead).” Let’s also read Paul’s words concerning Christ in His resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 which says, “And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” Paul is expressing the proper order of his calling as an apostle.
Let’s look in the Word of God to see what it says about the choosing of Mathias. Acts 1:15-26 tells us, “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 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. 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. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
I encourage you to read the entire chapter to see how the Lord physically ascended into Heaven previously in this chapter and all the disciples met in an upper room. Here Peter stands up to address the 120 people who were with him concerning the scriptures that taught that someone must take the place of Judas. In verse 16, we see that Peter understood that a prophecy from David needed to be fulfilled. Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit realized that Psalm 69:25 and 109:8 were in reference to Judas and he combined those verses in 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.” Convinced they were acting in accordance to the Word of God and being led by the Spirit, these disciples set out to decide who it would be that would take Judas’ place. They determined that this man must have been with their company since the beginning of the Lord’s earthly ministry. Of course, this would have disqualified Paul immediately.
They chose two men, “Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. (Verse 23). We then read in verse 26, “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” “Casting lots” was an accepted form of determining the Lord’s will that was used in the Old Testament. (Read 1 Chronicles 24:5-7, Proverbs 16:33, and Luke 1:9). So, the Lord chose Mathias and made it manifest to the disciples by the casting of the lots that he was the one who would take the place of Judas, thus making it twelve apostles once again. After this, we never read of another apostle being chosen to replace another one. (CC) (607.2)