What Did Early Christians Teach About Matthias?
Early Christians said Matthias was chosen to replace Judas and was counted among the Twelve apostles. Acts 1 gives the clearest account, and writers like Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Cyprian, Origen, Lactantius, and the Apostolic Constitutions repeat it. Most of their comments are short, but they agree on the main point: Matthias took Judas’s place by God’s choice. The focus is on his appointment, not on a long biography.
109 early-church witnesses · 182 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about matthias the Apostle?
Early Christian writers said Matthias was the apostle chosen to replace Judas and counted him among the Twelve. Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Cyprian, Origen, Lactantius, Tertullian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all repeat this basic teaching in different ways. The strongest witness is Acts 1, where Matthias is chosen by lot and numbered with the apostles, while the fathers use that passage to defend the apostolic roster and to answer heretical claims.
The evidence is broad and steady across the second and third centuries, though most references are brief and focus on Matthias’s appointment rather than giving many details about his later life. A few nearby references are only background or duplicate wording, so the main claim rests on a cluster of direct statements about his replacement of Judas and place among the apostles.
Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Matthias was understood as Judas’s replacement among the Twelve.
- Acts 1 is the main Bible passage, and early Christian writers use it often.
- Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Cyprian, Origen, Lactantius, and the Apostolic Constitutions all treat Matthias as a real apostle.
- Most early references are brief and centered on his appointment, not later stories about his life.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians teach that Matthias replaced Judas?
The compiled sources consistently say Matthias was chosen to take Judas' place and was counted with the apostles. This is stated plainly in Acts and repeated by several early Christian writers.
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Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Direct teaching
At that time, His apostles numbered eleven. Then Matthias was added in place of the traitor Judas, and later Paul was added. Then they were scattered throughout all the earth to preach the Gospel, just as the Lord their Master had commanded them. For twenty-five years, until the beginning of the reign of the Emperor Nero, they devoted themselves to laying the foundations of the Church in every province and city. And while Nero was reigning, the Apostle Peter came to Rome. Through the power of God given to him, he worked certain miracles. By turning many to the true religion, he built up a faithful and steadfast temple for the Lord. When Nero heard these things, and saw that not only in Rome but in every other place, a great multitude was turning away daily from the worship of idols and, condemning their old ways, was going over to the new religion, he, a detestable and destructive tyrant, rushed forward to tear down the heavenly temple and destroy the true faith. He was the first who persecuted the servants of God. He crucified Peter and killed Paul. Nor did he escape without punishment, for God looked on the suffering of His people. Therefore the tyrant, stripped of authority and
More related quotations from this section 2 shown
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
But if they claim that Judas in his destruction was the image of her Enthymesis, even then the image will not accurately reflect the truth it supposedly represents. The Enthymesis, after being separated from the Æon and then given shape by Christ, participates in intelligence through the Savior and creates everything outside the Pleroma in the likeness of what is within the Pleroma. It is said that Enthymesis was eventually received back into the Pleroma and united with the Savior who was formed from all. However, Judas was completely cast away and never returned to the group of disciples; otherwise, someone else would not have been chosen to replace him. Furthermore, the Lord declared regarding Judas: "Woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed," and "It would be better for him if he had never been born;" He also called him the "son of perdition." If they claim that Judas was a type of Enthymesis, but not as separated from the Æon—rather, of the passion associated with her—then neither can the number twelve be considered an appropriate type of the number three. In Judas’s case, he was cast out, and Matthias was appointed in his place; whereas with the Æon, she was in danger
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
Judas, the twelfth disciple, was not a representation of the suffering Æon, nor of the passion of the Lord, because these two things are completely different and incompatible in every way. This difference applies not only to the aspects I’ve already talked about but also to their numbers. It is agreed by all that Judas the traitor is the twelfth, because the Gospel names twelve apostles. However, this Æon is not the twelfth but the thirtieth. According to the views in question, not just twelve Æons were created by the Father's will, nor was she the twelfth to be sent forth. Instead, she is counted as being created in the thirtieth place. How, then, can Judas, the twelfth, be the symbol and reflection of that Æon who is the thirtieth?
Was Matthias chosen by lot in Acts?
Acts says the apostles cast lots, the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. The surrounding verses show the prayer and the requirement that the replacement witness had to have followed Jesus from the beginning.
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Tertullian, De Anima (On the Soul) Supporting witness
Judas likewise was for a long time reckoned among the elect (apostles), and was even appointed to the office of their treasurer;
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
and Simon the Canaanite, Matthew 10:2 and Matthias, who instead of Judas was numbered with us;
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Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness
That Judas, who was chosen among the apostles, who was always of one mind and faithful in the house of God, himself subsequently betrayed God.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
For that Judas the traitor is the twelfth in order, is agreed upon by all, there being twelve apostles mentioned by name in the Gospel.
How did the early church fathers talk about Matthias?
The fathers who mention Matthias present him as part of the apostolic body, chosen in Judas' place. Some also use his appointment when arguing against heresies or defending the apostolic succession of the churches.
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Acts 1:23 Direct teaching
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
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Acts 1:25 Direct teaching
to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
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Acts 1:26 Direct teaching
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
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Acts 1:24 Supporting witness
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
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Acts 1:22 Supporting witness
beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
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Acts 1:21 Background
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Common Questions
Was Matthias considered one of the apostles?
Yes. Early Christian writers consistently call Matthias the one who took Judas’s place and was numbered with the apostles.
How was Matthias chosen?
In Acts 1, the apostles cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, who was then numbered with the eleven apostles.
Which early Christians mention Matthias?
Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Cyprian, Origen, Lactantius, Tertullian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all mention him.
Source Index for Matthias the Apostle
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 153 ranked source links from 182 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 153 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 109
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 73 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.