The Twelve and apostolic witness
Jesus chooses the Twelve; Acts presents them as witnesses to his resurrection. Their foundational witness is not simply identical to the later office of bishop.
Scripture
- Mark 3:13-19 — Jesus appoints the Twelve to be with him and be sent.
- Acts 1:21-22 — The replacement witness must have accompanied Jesus' ministry and witnessed the resurrection.
Primary sources
Peter states the criterion:
Acts states the criterion that one must become 'with us' a witness to Jesus' resurrection.
of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection
Passage context and translation
Peter describes the qualifications for the person who will be numbered with the eleven after Judas's death: accompaniment from John's baptism through Jesus' ascension and witness to the resurrection.
Before the excerpt
beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us,
After the excerpt
They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas ... and Matthias.