Problem: Roman Catholic apologists argue that Judas’ replacement by Matthias supports the notion of papal succession. That is, instead of having a first century apostleship, this is carried on from generation to generation. Catholic apologist David Currie writes,
This is presupposed in what the apostles did in Acts 1. The fact that there was no discussion of the matter so soon after Jesus had been teaching them lends credence to the Catholic position. Christ himself must have provided for succession when he taught the apostles during the time between his Resurrection and his Ascension.[1]
Is the replacement of Judas support of papal succession?
Solution: We have already written on the topic of papal succession (see “Papal Succession”). Additionally, we do not believe that this passage supports this doctrine for a number of reasons:
First, this is not an explicit teaching on papal succession. At best, this is a biblical example—not a biblical teaching. Why don’t we have Jesus’ explicit teaching on papal succession, rather than just an assumption like this? Would God really leave such an important teaching to the level of a biblical example?
Second, the one who was replaced (Judas) was never really a believer. Judas was never a believer (Jn. 6:70; 17:12). This doesn’t fit with the Roman Catholic doctrine of papal succession, which states that a believing pope is replaced by another believing pope.
Third, in the Roman Catholic system, there is one pope—not twelve. For this passage to fit with papal succession, it would need to be Peter who was replaced—not Judas. Or we would need to have 12 popes in the Roman Catholic Church today.
Fourth, later, when other apostles were killed, there was no motion to replace them. For example, James of Zebedee is never replaced after his death (Acts 12:2).
[1] Currie, David B. Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic. San Francisco [Calif.: Ignatius, 1996. 66.
“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. (Acts 1:15-26)”
