In John 6:70 Jesus refers to Judas Iscariot as a devil, and elsewhere the scriptures refer to Judas as the “son of perdition.” The word perdition has to do with ruin and damnation which results from apostasy.

For instance, the man of sin, also referred to by some as the anti-Christ, is referred to as the “son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

In John 17:12, as Jesus prayed, He said to the Father; “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gave me I have kept, and NONE OF THEM IS LOST, BUT THE SON OF PERDITION; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

The Old Testament had prophesied that Jesus would be betrayed (Psalm 41:9).

After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, while the apostles waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit, they came together to select Judas Iscariot’s replacement.

Acts 1:15- 26 records how they chose Judas’ replacement.

15 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,)

16 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.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 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.

19 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.

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.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 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.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 THAT HE MAY TAKE PART OF THIS MINISTRY AND APOSTLESHIP, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was NUMBERED with the eleven apostles.

The apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas at the leading of the Lord. Yet, there are some people who attempt to disqualify Matthias because they claim that Paul was the one whom God had chosen while Matthias was the apostle’s selection.

However, Paul was not qualified to take the place of Judas because the one who was to take Judas’s place had to be someone who had been an eye witness of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection.

Matthias was chosen from among the men who had been with the disciples (apostles) and had been “a witness” of the resurrection of Jesus as the verses above indicates.

Luke, the author of the book of Acts says, Matthias was “numbered with the eleven.”

In Acts 2:14 the Bible says “Peter, standing up WITH THE ELEVEN, lifted up his voice…”

Peter plus the other eleven apostles (including Matthias) equals twelve. Then in Acts 6:2, Luke the writer of Acts tells us; “Then THE TWELVE called the multitude of the disciples unto them…” The twelve in Acts 6:2 is a reference to the 12 apostles (including Matthias).

In 1 Corinthians 15:4-8 the apostle Paul endorses Matthias when he says the following:

And that he (Jesus) was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), 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 makes mention of “the twelve” and “all the apostles” who saw the Lord after his resurrection, which is evidence that he endorsed the selection of Matthias by the other apostles.

Interestingly, Paul never refers to himself as an apostle to the Jews. He did preach the gospel to the Jews but he always speaks of his apostleship as being to the Gentiles.