Bible – All the Apostles of the
Of all men of any age trained for Christian Ministry, none have been so privileged than the twelve apostles who were educated and trained personally by Jesus Himself. And of all men of any age lived, none have been so influential to the world after their death than the same twelve apostles. Their word not only was, but still is, law. From their Gospels and epistles, the church derived the doctrine and creed.
It would, therefore, be quite an interest for us to learn of these great men in our church history. Before considering the twelve in alphabetical order, it would be wise for us to first know the meaning of the word “apostle”. There are over 80 occurrences of the Greek word “apostolos” in the NT, mostly in Luke and Paul. It is from the very common verb apostellÕ, to send. So, Apostle simply means “one who is sent”.
Andrew
Although references to Andrew in the gospel are few indeed, what is recorded of him reveals him as a humble, unassuming, devoted and consistent disciple of Christ. He enjoyed a special intimacy with his Master (Mark 13:3). Andrew, whose name means “manliness” was a manly man, as were the rough and hardy fisherman of his time (Matt. ). He is the brother, probably the younger, of Simon Peter sons of Jonas or John (John )
The two brothers were of the two first disciples of Jesus, but Andrew was also a disciple of John the Baptist and met Jesus earlier. What he learned from Jesus that day convinced him that he was indeed the promised Lamb of God. Andrew met and followed the Lamb through John. He returned home with a soul ablaze witnessed Christ to Peter and in effect the spiritual father of him.
Early tradition says Andrew went to the land pf cannibals on the southern coast of the black sea. He also figured as a missionary to Russia and Scotland. The Church at Byzantium, now Constantinople, claims Andrew as its founder. A forth century account reports his death by crucifixion at Patras in Greece in the year 60 under the governor Aegeates.
Bartholomew
Bartholomew, who is Nathanael, lived at Cana of Galilee (John 21:2). All we know of Bartholomew is from seven verses in the opening chapter of John’s gospel in the Bible. Yet we know that Bartholomew is a man of Christ, knew to Him even before they met. “When you were under the fig-tree, I saw you” John 1:48
Eusebius in his Church history relates that a copy of Hebrew Gospel according to Matthew was left behind in India by Bartholomew. This apostle is also said to have ministered in Parthia, Lycaonia and Greater Armenia. He was said to have been crucified with his head downwards.
James, the son of Alphaeus
Here is an apostle who is remembered only by his name, for we do not have a single authentic word in the NT. as to the life he lived or the service he rendered.
Some ancient writers affirm Alphaeus did a great work in Spain, others in Britain and Ireland before returning to Jerusalem where he had a popedom over the whole Christian Church. A late legend of his martyrdom in Persia has no authenticity.
James, the son of Zebedee
Biblical reference to James, the son of Zebedee is fragmented. As the Gospels generally place the name of James before John, and allude to the latter as “the brother of James,” it is inferred that he was the elder of the two brothers (Matt. ; Mark ; Luke ). James may have been a near relation to Jesus Himself (Matt. 27:56; Mark ; John ). Christ surnamed him “Boanerges” or “The son of Thunder” to reflect his being hot, impulsive temper, given way to sudden outbursts of passion.
James, the son of Zebedee, together with John and Peter, were selected for closer intimacy to Jesus. He and other two were allowed to enter the chamber to witness Christ’s resurrection. Then, there was the awe-inspiring experience on the mount of transfiguration before Peter, James and John. The intimacy of James with Jesus is also found in the record of Gethsemane, for he was one of three that Jesus chose to accompany Him (Mark ).
The stirring and active zeal of James, his bold reproof of the Jews and his vigorous defense of the Christian faith brought him under the wrath of Herod Agrippa. By the brutal hand of Herod (Acts 12:2), James was the first of the twelve to suffered death. On the way to martyrdom, the officer who had guarded James was so impressed by his courage that he repented and fell at the apostle’s feet. The apostle raised up the officer embraced and kissed him, saying “Peace to be with you”. The officer publicly confessed to Christ, and was beheaded along with James.
Note: James, the son of Zebedee, was not the one who wrote the epistle of the same name, nor the one who became the president of the Council at Jerusalem.
John
John was the younger son of Zebedee and brother of James. He was the youngest among all disciple of Christ and the longest lived apostle. Some of the early writers affirm that John seems always to have led a single life. Ambrose positively declared that all the apostles were married except John and Paul.
John earned the title of “the apostle of love” because of the love life he shared with Jesus and the prominence given to love in his writings. When John was at Ephesus, being aged he would be led into the church to answer questions of faith, and that he would always answer with the same sentence, “Little children, love one another.”
The stories told of John are manifold, and it is well-nigh impossible to decide if any of them grew out of imagination or fact. What we are certain of is he was banished to Patmos because of his witness for Christ. He spent his last years in Ephesus, laboring to promote love among Christians. He died during the reign of Trajan in A.D. 98
Judas Iscariot
Judas was called to the apostleship in Mat 10:4. Probably he had been present at teaching of John the Baptist at Bethany beyond Jordan (John ), or may have met Jesus during his return through Judea (John ). Perhaps he was among those who received the call at the sea of Tiberias (Matt. -22).
Judas held a position of trust and confidence as the purse-bearer of the apostolic band. The very fact that he was given this responsibility proves that the other apostles had faith in his honesty up to the very night of the betrayal. And because of this, I would like to think that at the time of his choice to follow Jesus, Judas was no hypocrite, but enthusiasm. But the fact remains that while he might have been sincere, he was not repented. He did not become a true believer.
The Bible clearly describes the terrible death of Judas, “All his bowels gushed out” (Acts ). His was the only suicide’s grave among the apostles.
Matthew
Matthew was likely a Galilean born near Capernaum. He was the son of Alphaeus and Mary, the latter being a relative of Mary the Virgin. He was a custom officer while Christ called him to be his disciple (Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32). Because of his occupation, Matthew certainly had more wealth to forsake than other apostles of fisherman and peasants of Galilee. Yet, Dr. Alexander Whyte says that, “When Matthew rose up and left all to follow our Lord, the only thing he took with him was his pen and ink.
It is generally supposed that for eight years after the ascension of Christ, Matthew preached the Gospel in Judea. As to his death, an ancient writer affirms that he suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, being slain by the sword.
Peter
No name comes up so often as Peter after Jesus Himself in the four Gospel. No disciple speaks so often and as much as Peter. No disciple is so pointedly reproved by our Lord t than Peter. No disciple ever ventures to reprove his Master but Peter. No other disciple ever so boldly confessed and outspokenly acknowledged and encouraged our Lord as Peter repeatedly did. And no one ever intruded, and interfered, and tempted Him as repeatedly as Peter did.
Peter is believed to be finally martyred as suggested by the words addressed to him by Christ: “When you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you so not wish to go” (John ).
Philip
Philip was a Jew born in Bethsaida (John -51; ) with a gentile name. It was a common custom to name children in some part of the Roman Empire after the reigning prince. And it is possible that his parents named him after Philip the Tetrarch of Galilee at that time.
Philip is certainly not bright in comparison to the other apostles. Yet, he was chosen by Jesus for His plan and purpose. He was one of the Galileans who proclaimed the wonderful works of God (Acts ), and his name adorns one of the twelve foundations of the Holy City (Rev. 21:14). And it is again a clear example that our Lord uses the dull as well as the bright in His service.
The apostles undoubtedly journeyed far and wide often alone and seldom to Asia Minor and Hierapolis where idolatry were rampant. Traditionally, Philip was crucified to dead.
Simon the Canaanite
Simon the Canaanite has been wrongly interpreted as coming from his birth place Canaan and that as a Canaanite, he is a gentile. In fact, Canaanaean is an epithet from Hebrew word, “Kana”, which means “to be ardent or zealous”. It is exactly the Hebrew equivalent of the word for Zealot, which Luke names him Simon Zealot in Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.
Eusebius in his Church History names Simon Zealot as one of the apostolic missionaries who spread the Gospel to Egypt and Persia. He was sawn asunder as some saints were (Heb. ).
Thaddaeus
Thaddaeus is the only disciple who has three names – Thaddaeus (Matt. 1:3); Lebbaeus (Matt. 1.3); and Judas (Luke ). All we are told about this apostle apart from his three names is that one day he asked Jesus a brief question: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22)
Thaddaeus is believed to be taken prisoner and martyred in the province of Schavarschar, Armenia.
Thomas
Thomas is a Hebrew name with its Greek equivalent Didymus, meaning “Twin”. Tradition saying is that his other twin was a sister called Lysia. He was a Jew from Galilean (Acts).
Life was changed for Thomas from the hour he met Christ. And he went forth a messenger of the Master, receiving power over all kinds of diseases, rejoicing that even the demons were subject unto him (Luke 10:17-26).
Thomas went out to labor in India and ended his career on the Indian coast near Bombay. He was martyred by a lance thrust through his body while he was kneeling in prayer.
These are the twelve apostles Jesus chose and disciple them throughout His three years ministry on earth. But there are also others whom Jesus chose and send forth too. There were for instance, the “other seventy also…” (Luke 101).
Others apostles who were called and sent we read in the Bible are:
Andronicus
Andronicus was the apostle described as being “of note among the apostles” (Rome 16:7). He was one of the traveling evangelists who preached the Gospel from place to place and was likely one of the most prominent and successful envoys of the early Church.
Apollos
Apollos seems to have a remarkable ability to expound the scriptures (Acts -28). Paul also includes him along with himself in the apostolate (1 Cor. 4:6, 9) and recommended him to Titus in Titus 3:13.
Barnabas
Although Barnabas was not one of the twelve, he stands out as the most important early apostle to the gentile after Paul. He is the central figure in the affair of the infant church (Acts ). He also received frequent mention in Paul’s epistles (1 Cor. 9:6; Gal. 2:1, 9, 13; Col. 4:10).
Epaphroditus
It has been questioned whether Epaphroditus should be numbered among the apostles. But Paul answered this clearly in Philippi 2:25-30 by naming him as your messenger. The two Words, messenger and apostle, are the same original word in Greek.
James, the Lord’s brother
Paul mentioned of this apostle in Gal, “But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lords brother”. James was converted at the resurrection and joined the company of the believer. He was made an authority in the Jerusalem church as bishop as implies in Acts 12:17.
Junias
Junias was among the first converts after Pentecost (Acts ). He is well known to the apostolate circle and is distinguished as apostle in the widest sense as missionary (1Cor. 15:7). He was faithful and sacrificial envoy of the Gospel as Paul’s description of him testifies.
Matthias
Matthias was appointed to take the place in the apostolate which Judas vacated according to Acts 1:26. Apart from this, we do not know any that is authentic.
Paul
Paul is known as the apostle to the gentiles. The three missionary journeys of Paul and an account of cities and towns he visited are clearly indicated in Acts and Pauline epistles.
Because of his daring missionary journeys to the unknown land, Paul anticipated the early end of his earthly sojourn. Sentences like, “I have finished my course”; “I am now ready to be offered”; “To die is to gain”; “We that are in this tabernacles do groan,” indicates that Paul was under no delusion as to the nearness of his possible martyrdom.
Tradition has always been cleared that he was beheaded in the reign of Nero in Rome in A.D. 68.
Silas
The authority that makes Silas, “the merry singer” as has been called, among the apostate is Paul himself. Paul wrote about the “apostles of Christ,” referring to Timothy, Silas and himself (1 Thess. 1:1, 2:6; 2 Thess. 1:1).
Silas was a faithful friend of Paul traveled together with him in Philippi, Thessalonica and places to witnessed Christ.
Timothy
Timothy was not a Christian until he was converted probably during Paul’s first visit to Iconium Lystra (2 Tim. -11). He had a gentile father and a Jewish mother which made his witness to the gentile rather natural. Although a minor apostle alongside of a major apostle like Paul, Timothy nevertheless exercises an apostolic ministry.
And these are all the apostles named in the Holy Bible.