The Twelve Apostles Of Jesus
The twelve Apostles of Jesus were a band of ordinary men who were individually chosen by Christ; chosen to become extraordinary men of God who would eventually change the world. In selecting fishermen, a tax collector, and others from common backgrounds, Jesus demonstrated that the things that might seem commonplace to the world are exceptional in His love. The stories of these students have made the Scripture, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," (Philippians 4:13) come to life. These followers of Christ were living examples to the Jewish community, and eventually the world, of what God can do through His people and what the plans are for those who follow His Son. Originally known as the twelve disciples or students, they also became Apostles, ones being sent out to carry the Gospel message to the Jews first and then the Gentiles.
In Jewish tradition, students of God's Law were chosen by teachers. A religious leader, or teacher, would hand select a disciple and this man would then spend most of the day, for a period of years, at the teacher's side. Through close and consistent contact, the teacher would impart wisdom about the Scriptures, the Law, and through daily life, demonstrate to the student how a godly person would interact with the world. Perhaps the twelve disciples of Christ that were chosen had never been considered worthy of a teacher before. But when Jesus called to two brothers fishing at the Sea of Galilee to follow, we are told that they immediately left their nets and followed Christ. These fishermen became two of Christ's inner circle of disciples and they were Simon, called Peter and Andrew. The next to be chosen, John and James, were also brothers who were fishermen by trade. The twelve Apostles of Jesus also included Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot who would be the one who betrayed Christ. Not every Apostles official trade is made known in Scriptures, but we are told that Matthew was a tax collector, a career choice that was looked down upon by the religious leaders of the day.
Similar to a traditional student and teacher relationship, throughout Jesus ministry, the chosen men were at his side. In the early days when the twelve disciples traveled with Christ, they often misunderstood Christ's teachings and were inquisitive about the parables used to illustrate principles. We get a glimpse of their uncertainty early in the book of Matthew when the twelve were in a boat and a storm arose. During the turbulent storm, Christ was sleeping. At this, we read, the men were perplexed. "And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." (Matthew 8:25) Jesus rebukes his faithless companions and then miraculously calms the raging sea. The twelve Apostles of Jesus were amazed that even the winds obey their master. But once Jesus completed selecting each the students and companions who would become known simply as the twelve, he bestowed upon them miraculous powers.
Scriptures tells us that Christ gave these men power against unclean spirits and the ability to heal all kinds of sicknesses. And then Jesus told the twelve disciples to go and preach that the kingdom of heaven was near to the lost sheep of Israel, sending them to nearby towns and villages. Most theologians agree that the empowered students were sent to share their message in pairs. The mission was successful for upon their return, the men told Jesus of the wonders they'd done. From this point on in the New Testament, miracle after miracle is performed in the sight of Christ's chosen companions and throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we begin to see the spiritual growth of the twelve Apostles of Jesus.
One cannot adequately study these fascinating men without giving attention to the one that betrayed Christ, Judas Iscariot. Prior to the Last Supper, we get a glimpse of the heart of Judas. Judas complained when expensive perfume was used to anoint Christ and were told that Judas was abusing the common financial purse. Judas, overcome with greed, bargained with the religious leaders to betray Jesus. As we know, Jesus was well aware this scheme, for at the Last Supper, Jesus tells Judas to go and finish the work he'd started.
At the last supper, the Apostles received amazing insight into Gods eternal plan through the Savior of the world. But within just a few hours, all would deny Him, leaving the Savior to die on a cross abandoned. It was part of the plan, however. The death of the Teacher was just the beginning of an eternal plan that would empower the twelve disciples in extraordinary ways. The fledgling group gathered together in prayer, believing that their master had a purpose, even in death. And as we know, Jesus is raised from the dead. He then appears to His disciples on several occasions and before the ascension, He gives a final command to the eleven who stayed faithful. The risen Christ commands that the Apostles now go into all the world and make other disciples. This is what we know as the great Commission, the task the Christian community labors to complete today. An undertaking that started with twelve men has become a worldwide mission of the bride of Christ, the church. In studying the twelve Apostles of Jesus, we can learn much about Christ and the godly plans for our lives.
In Jewish tradition, students of God's Law were chosen by teachers. A religious leader, or teacher, would hand select a disciple and this man would then spend most of the day, for a period of years, at the teacher's side. Through close and consistent contact, the teacher would impart wisdom about the Scriptures, the Law, and through daily life, demonstrate to the student how a godly person would interact with the world. Perhaps the twelve disciples of Christ that were chosen had never been considered worthy of a teacher before. But when Jesus called to two brothers fishing at the Sea of Galilee to follow, we are told that they immediately left their nets and followed Christ. These fishermen became two of Christ's inner circle of disciples and they were Simon, called Peter and Andrew. The next to be chosen, John and James, were also brothers who were fishermen by trade. The twelve Apostles of Jesus also included Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot who would be the one who betrayed Christ. Not every Apostles official trade is made known in Scriptures, but we are told that Matthew was a tax collector, a career choice that was looked down upon by the religious leaders of the day.
Similar to a traditional student and teacher relationship, throughout Jesus ministry, the chosen men were at his side. In the early days when the twelve disciples traveled with Christ, they often misunderstood Christ's teachings and were inquisitive about the parables used to illustrate principles. We get a glimpse of their uncertainty early in the book of Matthew when the twelve were in a boat and a storm arose. During the turbulent storm, Christ was sleeping. At this, we read, the men were perplexed. "And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." (Matthew 8:25) Jesus rebukes his faithless companions and then miraculously calms the raging sea. The twelve Apostles of Jesus were amazed that even the winds obey their master. But once Jesus completed selecting each the students and companions who would become known simply as the twelve, he bestowed upon them miraculous powers.
Scriptures tells us that Christ gave these men power against unclean spirits and the ability to heal all kinds of sicknesses. And then Jesus told the twelve disciples to go and preach that the kingdom of heaven was near to the lost sheep of Israel, sending them to nearby towns and villages. Most theologians agree that the empowered students were sent to share their message in pairs. The mission was successful for upon their return, the men told Jesus of the wonders they'd done. From this point on in the New Testament, miracle after miracle is performed in the sight of Christ's chosen companions and throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we begin to see the spiritual growth of the twelve Apostles of Jesus.
One cannot adequately study these fascinating men without giving attention to the one that betrayed Christ, Judas Iscariot. Prior to the Last Supper, we get a glimpse of the heart of Judas. Judas complained when expensive perfume was used to anoint Christ and were told that Judas was abusing the common financial purse. Judas, overcome with greed, bargained with the religious leaders to betray Jesus. As we know, Jesus was well aware this scheme, for at the Last Supper, Jesus tells Judas to go and finish the work he'd started.
At the last supper, the Apostles received amazing insight into Gods eternal plan through the Savior of the world. But within just a few hours, all would deny Him, leaving the Savior to die on a cross abandoned. It was part of the plan, however. The death of the Teacher was just the beginning of an eternal plan that would empower the twelve disciples in extraordinary ways. The fledgling group gathered together in prayer, believing that their master had a purpose, even in death. And as we know, Jesus is raised from the dead. He then appears to His disciples on several occasions and before the ascension, He gives a final command to the eleven who stayed faithful. The risen Christ commands that the Apostles now go into all the world and make other disciples. This is what we know as the great Commission, the task the Christian community labors to complete today. An undertaking that started with twelve men has become a worldwide mission of the bride of Christ, the church. In studying the twelve Apostles of Jesus, we can learn much about Christ and the godly plans for our lives.
The Twelve Apostles Of Jesus
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