Acts 1:26

And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

'GAVE LOTS FOR THEM'-A practice often used in the O.T. (Numbers 2:55; Joshua 2:14; 1 Samuel 2:20; Leviticus 16:8; Proverbs 16:33. 'A specially marked stone was place among other stones in. cloth (like we place slips of paper in. hat), or in. container of some kind, and then drawn out, or shaken out..This is the only instance of the use of lots in the New Testament.' (Reese p. 31)

Points to Note:

Bruce wisely observes, 'It should be observed that they did not cast lots haphazardly; they first selected the two men whom they judged worthiest to fill the vacancy. It may well be that there was nothing to choose between Joseph and Matthias...was. very reasonable way of deciding on one of the two.' (p. 51)

In addition, we often forget that Jesus may have commanded the disciples to use this method when He was instructing them concerning the Kingdom of God. It appears that this whole section is simply the disciples carrying out. command of Jesus before the Spirit comes.

'HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE ELEVEN APOSTLES'-'the statement of Luke..was written long after the inspiration of the twelve, and it expresses their final judgement in the case...All was now in readiness, and the next section of the story opens with the advent of the expected Spirit.' (McGarvey pp. 17-18)