22 beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day in which he was received up from us, one of these to become with us a witness of his rising again.' 23 And they set two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias, 24 and having prayed, they said, 'Thou, Lord, who art knowing the heart of all, shew which one thou didst choose of these two 25 to receive the share of this ministration and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, did fall, to go on to his proper place;' 26 and they gave their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 1:22-43
Commentary on Acts 1:15-26
(Read Acts 1:15-26)
The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world, was, Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. The apostles were ordained, not to wordly dignity and dominion, but to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection. An appeal was made to God; "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men," which we do not; and better than they know their own. It is fit that God should choose his own servants; and so far as he, by the disposals of his providence, or the gifts of his Spirit, shows whom he was chosen, or what he has chosen for us, we ought to fall in with his will. Let us own his hand in the determining everything which befalls us, especially in those by which any trust may be committed to us.