Question:

Was Paul chosen by God to replace Judas?

Answer:

No, Judas was replaced by Matthias to make up the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. Paul was chosen and commissioned by the Lord to establish the Gentile church, something Peter and the others were not inclined to do. It was necessary for Paul to be free of the control of Jerusalem and all thing’s related to temple and sacrifice in order to establish the gospel of grace in the pure form God intended. Peter acknowledged Paul’s Apostleship but never intimated that Matthias was not officially accepted into the circle of twelve.