Acts 1:16 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…. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us
There is a great deal of discussion whether or not the promises to OT Israel remain to be fulfilled or, rather, if the promises to OT Israel have been fulfilled in how Israel flowered into the Church as God’s people. This is one passage that is overlooked in that debate.
With this passage we see the Apostle’s convinced that there is a necessity that Judas be replaced. The explanation for this absolute necessity is that this moment of redemptive history marks the beginning of the fulfillment of the Spirit prophesied intentions for the new and better “Israel of God.” Israel in its OT infancy is being replaced by Israel in its NT maturity and so as there were twelve patriarchs who anchored the origin of God’s Israel in infancy, so the Israel of the new and better covenant is to have a twelve apostolic anchor serving as the foundation for the Israel of God in its maturity. The old has passed the new has come.
The Gospel of Luke underscores this interpretation wherein Jesus says in 22:30 to the new Apostolic patriarchs that they would “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” This statement coupled with the action of replacing the traitor Judas underscores a pivotal transition in redemptive history away from OT Israel toward the NT “Israel of God — The Church.” Here we see both continuity and discontinuity. The continuity is found in the necessity to retain a twelve-man patriarchy. The discontinuity is found inasmuch as the patriarchy ruling over the “the kingdom of God has now been taken from OT Israel and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it (Mt. 21:43).”
Peter’s insistence cited in Acts 1 concerning the need for a replacement for Judas, consistent with OT prophecy, is another flag indicating that the redemptive historical moment has occurred wherein the old covenant is eclipsed for the new covenant. God is done with the old covenant Israel and is establishing the new Israel of God. The replacement of Judas is just one indicator of old and worse covenant now being fulfilled in the new and better covenant. There are no promises left for OT Israel.
God is done with them as a nation state, though individuals may certainly enter into the Kingdom of God.
