Acts 1:23

And they appointed two, Ioseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Iustus, and Matthias. Acts 1:23 (KJV)

In this verse we see the early Christian community gathered in Jerusalem after the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. The immediate background is the death of the apostle Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal left a vacant seat among the twelve. The remaining disciples recognized the vital importance of preserving the apostolic ministry, and therefore they resolved to fill the vacancy in accordance with the pattern established by the risen Christ.

The passage names the two men proposed for the office: Joseph, called Barsabas and surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Both were already members of the community, having followed Jesus during His earthly ministry and having witnessed His works firsthand. Apart from this brief mention, their names do not appear elsewhere in the New Testament, and the historical record about them is limited.

The selection of the new apostle was a communal decision. The disciples presented the two candidates to the whole group, and the community gathered to consider them. Throughout the process they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that while human judgment could propose candidates, the ultimate choice belonged to God. Their attitude reflected a dependence on divine direction rather than reliance on personal opinion.

In the subsequent verses (Acts 1:24‑26) the believers prayed, affirming that God knows the hearts of all people. They then cast lots, a practice understood at the time as a way of submitting the final verdict to God’s sovereign will. The lot fell on Matthias, who was therefore appointed as the twelfth apostle. By casting lots the early church demonstrated its trust that God would determine the appropriate successor to continue the apostolic witness.