The Apostles of : Men on a Mission

feet of Jesus were merely their days in training. The decades after Jesus’ ascension were the days they trained for. As we read through each of the , we witness the transformation of men who were as common as common could be (always considering the exception of ) which was nothing short of miraculous. This is the story of that special band of men, the chosen disciples, The Apostles of Jesus Christ: Men on a Mission.

THEIR PURPOSE The idea of discipleship was not unusual in the days of Jesus. At that time there were other master teachers who had specially chosen groups of followers. The unique thing about these men was that they were chosen to serve their master, not merely while he lived with them but especially after Jesus had died. They were to witness to everyone of the love, hope, forgiveness, and assurance of eternal life that Jesus of Nazareth had brought from his throne in heaven. Jesus himself told the A MASTERPIECE disciples, “You also must testify, for you have been As one reads the story of Jesus’ life, with me from the beginning” (:27). And one cannot help but notice those he touched. again, “You will be my witnesses in , and Beginning with his earthly mother and father and in all and , and to the ends of the the shepherds and Magi; up to the many who were earth” (Acts 1:8). The Twelve faithfully fulfilled healed such as the daughter of Jairus, the Canaanite these commands as they told the story of their woman, the soldier, and blind Bartimaeus; master. Peter wrote, “We did not follow cleverly to those who ministered to him at his death: Mary invented stories when we told you about the power Magdalene, , , and and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were of Arimathea—all these people were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16), and brushstrokes in the masterpiece that was the life of John said, “We proclaim to you what we have seen Jesus here on earth. But perhaps the people who and heard, so that you also may have fellowship were closest to Jesus and knew him better than all with us” (1 :3). the rest were his chosen apostles. These men In but a short time, less than it takes to educate carried on their shoulders the weight of the a pastor today, the Lord molded and fashioned these fledgling Christian church. The Holy Spirit men into an army of preachers who rose from equipped these men with faithful determination and common-day laborers to mighty evangelists, from unending courage so that the gospel message was shy and intimidated witnesses to fearless preached throughout the world and there was a , from disappointing deserters to brave renewed hope for all people. . Jesus had a righteous plan and a direct Although the story of their training and purpose in mind for special men when he said, preparation is important, their real work began after “Come, follow me . . . and I will make you . . .” Jesus’ ascension. The three years they spent at the (:17). THEIR CALLING monotonous routine of casting nets, mending nets, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called and cleaning their catch. There was a despised tax to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He collector, a Hebrew puppet used by the Romans to appointed twelve” (:13,14). The impression carry out the dirty work of cheating his fellow men. often given today is that for a person to be In the opposite vein, there was another who was a important, he or she must have a Ph.D., or at the former member of the , a group determined very least a degree in something. Politicians must to overthrow Roman rule. The crafts and have law degrees, and doctors must be certified to occupations of the remaining men are not even practice their vocation. Teachers must also be able mentioned. Paul artfully sums up their collective to show their qualifications to be allowed into a backgrounds when he writes, “Brothers, think of classroom. Such was also true in Jesus’ day. The what you were when you were called. Not many of educated were the elite in society. They were the you were wise by human standards; not many were ones who lived in Judea, especially in the capital influential; not many were of noble birth. But God city of Jerusalem. That was the place of noblemen, chose the foolish things of the world to shame the the popular and best-educated rabbis, the wealthy, wise; God chose the weak things of the world to the powerful, and the influential. However, Jesus shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this spent much of his ministry traveling throughout the world and the despised things—and the things that northern areas of , home of the uneducated, are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no the rural, and lower-class people. (See Matthew one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). 21:11; :70; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:7). All of Jesus wanted these men to take his yoke upon them Jesus’ disciples (with the exception of Judas and learn from him, without prior misgivings; Iscariot) were from Galilee. None of the Twelve minds already made up; attitudes that were were teachers, , , rabbis, scribes, unmovable; or stone-hard prejudices, opinions, or priests, rulers, or nobility. Herman Lockyer writes, habits. “Suppose the Master had made up his first church It is significant that these men were chosen not out of the cultured, rich, rare and elevated nature— for their extraordinariness, but for their mere those who never would have doubted what he said, ordinariness. These were the pieces of clay the or flinched from peril, or acted on the lower motive Savior wanted to shape. And shaping they needed! when a higher was possible. How much we should As we follow the gospel commentaries, we find 12 have lost! To us, the apostles were not exceptional men who suffered from lapses of faith, rash men, strangers to our weaknesses, temptations and judgments, dim-wittedness, misstatements, and very difficulties. Jesus chose twelve typical foolish comments and questions. Even Jesus’ representative men, and as we study their patience was tested by these men, for we hear him personalities we instinctively know them as bone of tell them, “Do you still have no faith?” (Mark our bone” (#1; p. 15). 4:40), “Don’t you understand this parable? How It should be noted that not only was Christ then will you understand any parable?” (Mark accepted among the people of Galilee, but by the 4:13), “Do you still not see or understand?” (Mark time he called the Twelve to follow him, he was 8:17), “What were you arguing about on the already at odds with the leaders of Jerusalem. As road?” (:33), “Do you still not understand? John writes in John 1:11, “He came to that which . . . How is it you don’t understand that I was not was his own, but his own did not receive him.” talking to you about bread?” (Matthew 16:9,11), This was illustrated at the very beginning of his “Stop grumbling amongst yourselves” (:43). ministry when he drove out the money changers Four times in Matthew when speaking to the from the temple in Jerusalem the first time (John Twelve Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you 2:14-16), several months prior to choosing the so afraid?”; “You of little faith . . . why did you apostles. By the time he selected his own chosen doubt?”; “You of little faith, why are you talking twelve, the authorities in Jerusalem had set their among yourselves?”; and “You have so little sights on putting Jesus to death. faith.” (Matthew 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20). Yet Not only weren’t the Twelve from the same Jesus makes it perfectly clear that it was not these noble cookie-cutter background, but their men who chose to follow him, rather it was Jesus personalities were entirely different from each who handpicked each one of them: “You did not other. There were at least four fishermen who spent choose me, but I chose you . . . to go and bear day after day in the hot sun practicing their fruit” (John 15:16). Even the despised Judas was mentioned as being one of the called long before the meal in the upper room: “Have I not chosen .”; Luke six times: “Whom he also designated you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John apostles . . .”; and John never uses the term at all.) 7:70). The role of apostle carried with it a special We read in 1 16:7, “The LORD does designation that these men were to be full-time not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at leaders of the Christian church that was to be the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the established after Christ’s ascension. Their work as heart.” Jesus knew these men before they were apostles took on great significance when Jesus born. He had chosen them at creation to be his commissioned them to “go and make disciples of instruments. He would shape them into his mold. all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Twenty-eight times He would teach them to pray, share with them his the book of Acts mentions the apostles and their inner thoughts, tell them of the future, teach them work. humility and how to forgive, and even use them as his ambassadors to heal the sick and drive out THE CALLING OF TWELVE demons. All the while he would make it clear that Sometimes we have the impression that the the power and strength that they would possess apostles were with Jesus from the very start of his would not be of their own making, rather their ministry. Although partially true, there was a timed effectiveness would lie solely in the Word of God. progression during Jesus’ ministry in which the Theirs would never be the glory. Rather their Twelve were trained. It wasn’t until the middle of calling in life and death would be that of giving the second year of Jesus’ three-year ministry in glory to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These which they were formally chosen to be called his were the men handpicked to carry the fire of the apostles. That means that their personal, formal, gospel to the corners of the world. As one writer so focused training period was only about 18 months, aptly put it, “These men were chosen to turn the far less than any legitimate pastor receives today. world upside down,” or, as Luke wrote, “These men John records already in chapter 1:35-49 the who have caused trouble all over the world have calling of the first disciples. This takes place the now come here” (Acts 17:6). day after pronounced Jesus as the Lamb of God—the time that Jesus’ ministry begins. FIRST DISCIPLES, THEN APOSTLES John the Baptist had his own gathering of disciples, As mentioned earlier, the idea of having or followers, but on that day two of them, John and followers called disciples was not new when Jesus Andrew, left the Baptist’s flock, spending the day began his ministry. We read in :18 that not with Jesus instead. Soon Simon Peter was only John the Baptist but also the Pharisees had introduced to Jesus. The next day Philip and followers who were known as disciples: “How is it Nathanael were added. This was prior to Jesus that John’s disciples and the disciples of the performing his first miracle at the wedding at . Pharisees are , but yours are not?” In Matthew 4, we have the names of the two Sometimes Jesus’ followers were called disciples brothers, James and John, sons of . (Greek: mathetes), which simply means “learners”, However, it isn’t until that we read of or “students”. Jesus had many disciples while he the the tax collector. moved from village to village preaching and These disciples were called to follow Jesus; teaching. The Twelve were among the many other although throughout this entire time they were still disciples who followed Jesus during his early engaged in their occupations, for we read of them ministry. However, the Twelve were specifically returning to their boats and nets to continue their called to be those designated not only as his work. It was during one of their fishing excursions present-day followers but also as his apostles. that Jesus was sailing with Peter, Andrew, James, The Greek term apostoloi means “messengers” and John when they made a miraculous catch of or “ones who were sent.” They were given the fish. At that point Jesus told them to follow him unique calling to be Christ’s ambassadors not only and we read, “So they pulled their boats up on during his time here on earth but afterward as well. shore, left everything and followed him” (Luke The four gospel writers mention this term sparingly. 5:11). (Matthew only once: “These are the names of the Still, however, we have not heard the names of twelve apostles . . .”; Mark uses it twice: “He the remaining disciples, and the word apostle has appointed twelve—, designating them apostles . . yet to be used. That takes place in , Mark 3, and . This was the formal ordination of the twelve men who were chosen to respectable number of inner-circle followers. But be the inner circle of Jesus’ followers. These would twelve was highly unusual. To see Jesus enter a be the men chosen for full-time service to preach, village followed by twelve of his closest men was teach, and write the good news of salvation after an imposing sight to see. Yet there are symbolic Jesus’ earthly ministry had ended. These were to be reasons that the number twelve was significant. the apostles of Jesus Christ. The main purpose was their connection to the The calling of the twelve apostles did not come twelve tribes of Israel. Judaism had run amuck at about lightly or on a whim of Jesus. As we read the this time in history. The church of the Old account in Luke, we discover several things that Testament had lost its focus on the need for a were important to this choosing. Luke 6:12 tells us Savior and had instead turned to a religion of laws that the naming of the Twelve took place on “one of and traditions. The twelve Jesus appointed those days.” What type of days were they? represented the new covenant with his people. gives us the answer. Here we see in Luke 5:17-26, These men represented the new twelve tribes of his the Pharisees (first mentioned here in Luke) took people. “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, at exception with Jesus, accusing him of blasphemy. the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits Luke 5:27-32 describes how Jesus was accused of on his glorious throne, you who have followed me eating with sinners when Jesus went to Matthew’s will also sit on the twelve thrones, judging the house. Luke 5:33-39 tell us the Pharisees were twelve tribes of Israel’” (Matthew 19:28). “The upset that Jesus’ disciples did not fast and pray. wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them Luke 6 continues the onslaught when the Pharisees were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” accused Jesus’ disciples of eating grain on the (Revelation 21:14). And just as among the original Sabbath. Luke 6:6,7 continues with the accusation tribes, Levi was the tribe of priests, so Christ would of Jesus healing on the Sabbath. One after another, be the priest who would offer up the final sacrifice Luke mentions the assaults that Jesus bore. This of his body for the redemption of all. That is why it was what the days were like just prior to naming the was so important after Judas committed suicide for Twelve. That’s why it is so revealing to see Jesus the remaining eleven to quickly appoint a twelfth go up into the hills for an all-night prayer session member to once again retain the number twelve as with his Father. Why? Jesus knew that his death Christ’s ambassadors. “Therefore it is necessary to was now less than two years away. He needed to choose one of the men who have been with us the appoint worthy men who would carry on his whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among ministry. We can sense this urgency, because the us. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; first thing Jesus did the following morning was to so he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts name the twelve specially selected men to serve as 1:21,26.) his full-time apostles. Simon (Peter) THEIR NAMES Andrew Matthew 10, Mark 3, Luke 6, and Acts 1 James the Greater list the names of the twelve apostles. In each of John the lists, the order of names is strikingly similar Philip beginning with Peter in each listing and ending Nathanael (Bartholomew) Thomas (Didymus) with Judas Iscariot. (Acts does not include Matthew (Levi) Judas because he was no longer living at that time.) It seems that the Twelve are also Judas (Jude, Thaddaeus, Lebbeaus) divided into several groupings, with group one showing Peter and his brother Andrew and Judas Iscariot James and his brother John. Of these four The choice was difficult. Jesus had many Peter, James, and John were especially close to disciples from whom to choose. But these twelve Jesus, witnessing the transfiguration, the raising stood out as exemplary men who became part of of Jairus’ daughter, and getting special Jesus’ ministry. From this time forward Jesus spent recognition in Gethsemane. These four men much of his teaching time alone with these twelve were all fishermen and likely friends before chosen men. Why twelve? Some writers point out that three they met the Savior. Group two is always led and perhaps as many as six men would have been a by Philip and includes Bartholomew, Matthew, and Thomas. The third group is led by James accurately, though he knew only the baptism of the Less, with Simon the Zealot, Judas the son John” (Acts 18:24,25). of James (also called Thaddeaus or Lebbaeus), and lastly Judas Iscariot. The profile and importance seems to flow from Peter at the top Barnabas is a well-known and to Judas Iscariot at the bottom. coworker of the apostle Paul. We first meet him in Acts 4:36 where he is called “Joseph, a Discuss: Why was it important for Jesus to choose Levite from Cyprus.” He sold a field and common men to serve as his apostles? Why were brought the money and put it at the apostles’ there so many from Galilee? On Thursday evening, Jesus and his followers celebrated the feet. Tradition says that he was one of the 72 Passover. What thoughts do you think ran through mentioned in :1. Acts 15 tells the sad the minds of these men just a day later? story of a serious disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. When Paul wanted to revisit OTHER APOSTLES some of the churches he had established, In this study, whenever reference is made Barnabas wanted to take with them. to the apostles, it means the twelve apostles Paul disagreed, and consequently, they parted whom Jesus called to be his specially chosen ways. Barnabas took John Mark with him and missionaries. Since, however, the term apostle sailed for Cyprus, and Paul chose to go can also be used as a general term simply with him to Syria and Cilicia. meaning “one sent,” the speaks of others who were called apostles but were not of the chosen twelve. Certainly they were no Epaphroditus, or , was a trusted less important than the Twelve, in fact some of messenger between Paul and the churches. “I them did mighty things and withstood terrible think it is necessary to send back to you hardships during their ministries, but they were Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and not necessarily followers of the Savior during fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, his time on earth. The following is a list of whom you sent to take care of my needs. Indeed some of those mentioned as apostles in the he was ill, and almost died. But God had infant Christian church. mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. He Andronicus and Junias almost died for the work of Christ, risking his Both of these men were mentioned only life to make up for the help you could not give once in Scripture, so very little is known of me” (Philippians 2:25-30). them. “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. James–Brother of Jesus They are outstanding among the apostles, and James, the brother of Jesus, is a very they were in Christ before I was” (Paul interesting man who became quite influential speaking in Romans 16:7). within the early Christian church. He is mentioned several times in the gospels as Jesus’ brother: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Apollos comes to light with the mention of Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his Aquila and Priscilla. He was a well-educated, brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? cultured Alexandrian Jew. “Meanwhile a Jew Aren’t all his sisters with us?” (Matthew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to 13:55,56). It is quite probable that Mary and Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a Joseph had other children. However, thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had throughout Jesus’ ministry, his brothers and been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he sisters were not included in the list of faithful spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus followers: “Even his own brothers did not believe in him” (:5). Yet as the infant church grew, we find the name of James apostle of Jesus Christ. “So do not be ashamed surfacing quite regularly. “They all joined to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his together constantly in prayer, along with the prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us his brothers” (Acts 1:14). “I saw none of the and called us to a holy life—not because of other apostles—only James, the Lord’s anything we have done but because of his own brother” (Galatians 1:19). Very likely this is purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:8,9). the same James who is credited with writing the of James. It is interesting in his A GREATER CHANGE TAKES PLACE opening statement how he acknowledges his The Twelve matured during their short brother Jesus. “James, a and of time with the Savior and many transformations the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes took place. In just a matter of months, a rag- scattered among the nations” (James 1:1). tag group of men became focused on the message and meaning of Christ’s life. With the Paul exception of Judas Iscariot, men who were Paul (Saul) repeatedly considered himself once laborers became evangelists, cheaters personally called by Jesus to be one of his changed to givers, haters became lovers of apostles. This of course happened at his good, those quick to judge changed to patient conversion. He begins his to the and understanding men. Not that the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, transformation was by any means complete, but Colossians, and to Timothy with the same a change can certainly be seen among these statement: “Paul, an apostle of the Lord men. Yet through it all, there were still many Jesus.” basic concepts regarding Jesus’ ministry that they just could not get their arms around. Silas However, that confusion would not last long. Following the Council at Jerusalem The Lord would see to it that they were all of whereupon it was agreed that the need one mind and ministry when they took hold of not follow the custom of circumcision, Silas is the reigns of the newly established church mentioned as one of those chosen to take the known as Christianity. A greater change was message to the other established churches: about to take place at . “They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Thursday night before the , Silas, two men who were leaders among the Jesus covered a wide range of topics while brothers” (Acts 15:22). Just one chapter later, trying to teach, to comfort, to warn, and to Silas (probably a Roman citizen) was in prison predict what was about to come. Jesus knew with Paul in the account of the jailer whose the disciples’ weaknesses, their confusion, and family was baptized and believed. Silas also their feelings of helplessness. “I have much was a very dear friend of the apostle Peter: more to say to you, more than you can now “With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a bear” (:12). His purpose was to assure faithful brother” (1 Peter 5:12). them that all that was about to take place was under his divine control. Timothy Jesus took special time to prepare them for Timothy, of course, was a dear friend and the coming of the Holy Spirit. “Now traveling partner of Paul. He is specially going to him who sent me. Because I have said known as the youth who left all behind him to these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell join Paul on his missionary journeys. Timothy you the truth: It is for your good that I am was a child of godly heritage, with a mother going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor and grandmother who faithfully raised him will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him from little on. Paul was especially fond of to you. . . When the Spirit of truth comes, he Timothy and trained him to be an effective will guide you into all truth. . . . The Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to able to speak in new dialects and you” (John 16:5-16). These words were languages. No doubt this was a great confusing to his followers. Where was he blessing for the apostles when we notice going? What was about to happen? Little did how many foreign countries they they know that in less than one day, their leader apparently visited with their message. and master would be dead on a cross. 4. After Pentecost there was no more Forty days later, the apostles found jockeying for position. Prior to the themselves on the Mount of Olives looking up crucifixion, the subject of who was into the sky as their ascended Lord disappeared greatest and most important often found into the clouds. Now the work was about to its way into their conversations. begin. Moments before the ascension, we still Afterward we see a new harmony see their confusion because they again asked guided them in their work: “All the Jesus if the time had come to restore the believers were one in heart and mind” kingdom of Israel. Yet the Lord gently assured (Acts 4:32). them, “You will receive power when the Holy 5. The confusion surrounding Christ’s Spirit comes on you; and you will be my death brought out the cowardly witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and character of his followers. Once afraid Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts to admit that they even knew the Savior, 1:8). How did they respond? “They . . . after the Spirit filled them with power, returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke they had a renewed boldness to suffer 24:52). imprisonment, torture, and even painful Ten days later while celebrating the Feast death proudly as Christ’s followers. of Harvest, or Pentecost, the Holy Spirit Now their standard read, “We must entered their realm with the tools for the obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). greatest harvest ever. He was about to equip “They had been counted worthy of these men for the real mission, the blossoming suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts of the Christian church. 5:41). How did this change the apostles? 6. Where once the apostles lacked the power to do remarkable and 1. Prior to Pentecost, the apostles retained extraordinary things, we now know that the concept that Jesus had come to “the apostles performed many reestablish the once glorious miraculous signs and wonders among nationalistic church on earth. Now they the people. Crowds gathered also from realized that the redemption of God’s the towns around Jerusalem, bringing people would not bring about a renewed their sick and those tormented by evil religion but the blood that Jesus shed spirits, and all of them were healed” would redeem all people from the curse (Acts 5:12,16). of sin and death. They understood the message of the cross. Thus we find the Twelve—now joined by 2. Following Pentecost, they could clearly Matthias—organizing, proclaiming, sharing, relate to the miracles, prophecies, and and even dying for the message of preaching messages that Christ brought. They Christ crucified. These were now truly men on would no longer be confused but would a mission! speak boldly and clearly of what they had seen and heard. Discuss: Why is Pentecost so important? What do 3. After Pentecost the apostles spoke to you think went on in the first few meetings among the individuals and crowds in a bold and apostles? knowledgeable way. They were even

The remarkable similarities in the listings of the Twelve Shown in the order they are listed.

MATTHEW 10:2-4 MARK 3:16-19 LUKE 6:14-16 ACTS 1:13

Simon (who is called Peter) Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) Simon (whom he named Peter) Peter

Andrew (Peter’s brother) James (son of Zebedee) Andrew John

James (son of Zebedee) John (along with James named Boanerges) James James

John (James’ brother) Andrew John Andrew

Philip Philip Philip Philip

Bartholomew Bartholomew Bartholomew Thomas

Thomas Matthew Matthew Bartholomew

Matthew (the tax collector) Thomas Thomas Matthew

James (son of ) James (son of Alphaeus) James (son of Alphaeus) James (son of Alphaeus)

Thaddaeus Thaddeaus Simon (who was called the Zealot) Simon (the Zealot)

Simon (the Zealot) Simon (the Zealot) Judas (son of James) Judas (son of James)

Judas Iscariot (who betrayed him) Judas Iscariot (who betrayed him) Judas Iscariot (who became a traitor) (Matthias added)