Exhaustive Guide to the Twelve Apostles

Selection and Role of the Twelve Apostles

Original Context and Selection: Jesus Christ chose the $12$ apostles to be witnesses to his life and resurrection and to preach his gospel. They lived with him during his ministry and were chosen directly by him.
Disciples vs. Apostles: The transcript notes that Jesus Christ had many disciples beyond the $12$ who eventually became apostles. * Luke $6:13$ : This verse hints at a larger circle of followers: "And when it was day, he called his disciples and chose from them $12$ I love you all. Who he named apostles." * Delegation of Power: Jesus explained the transition from a large crowd to a smaller group of leaders by stating: "Most of you have been with me almost from the beginning. Now the crowds have grown too large for me alone, and need neck share my power will have the authority to claim my message."
Definition of Apostle: The word "Apostle" is an English transliteration of a Greek word meaning "one was sent out."

The Apostles' Creed and Church Community

Definition: The Apostles' Creed is a prayer containing fundamental Christian beliefs which summarizes the doctrine taught by the apostles.
Purpose: The creed serves as a reminder that Christians are part of a community reaching back to the birth of the church and the original appointments made by Jesus himself.

Simon Peter: The Prominent Leader

Background and Occupation: Simon Peter was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee by occupation. He was a natural spokesperson and served as the leader of the early Christian church.
Ministry Focus: His missionary and evangelistic work was conducted primarily among the Jews.
Confession of Faith: During Jesus' explanation of the Eucharist—which caused many other followers to return to their former lives out of disbelief—Jesus asked the $12$ if they also wanted to leave. Simon Peter responded: "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the holy one of God."
Preservation of Humanity: Despite his faith, Peter was human and feared persecution. When Jesus told Peter he could not follow him now but would follow later, Peter asked why he could not follow immediately, claiming, "I will lay down my life for you."
The Denial: Jesus predicted Peter’s failure, saying: "Amen. Amen. I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me $3$ times." This prophecy was fulfilled when Peter denied Jesus while being questioned by the high priest.
Martyrdom and Symbolism: Peter ultimately did lay down his life for Jesus. He was murdered on a cross but chose to die in a manner distinct from his Lord. His apostolic symbol is an upside-down cross with crossed keys.

Andrew: The Missionary and Patron Saint

Introduction to Christ: Andrew was Peter's brother and was the one who brought Peter to Jesus.
Key Moments: * Andrew was one of four apostles on the Mount Of Olives who asked about the destruction of the temple. * Before the feeding of the $5,000$ , Andrew identified the boy with food, saying: "Here is a lad with $5$ barley loaves and $2$ fish." * He is reported by John as one of the first two disciples to attach themselves to Jesus.
Legacy: Andrew is the current patron saint of Scotland. The Anglican Church maintains a yearly festival in his honor to support missionaries and the church's general mission.

John: The Beloved Disciple

Character and Works: John was known as the "beloved disciple." He was characterized as ambitious, a man of action, and very close to Jesus. He authored the Gospel of John, $1$ John, and $2$ John.
Trial and Mother Mary: John remained with Jesus from his trial until the end. Following the crucifixion, Mary (Jesus' mother) was to reside with John as family.
Apostolic Symbol: John's symbol is a chalice with a snake inside it.

James the Elder: Son of Zebedee

Privileged Witness: James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee, witnessed several significant events: * The Transfiguration. * The healing of Peter's mother-in-law. * The raising of the daughter of Jairus. * The Garden of Gethsemane on the night before Jesus' death.
Aggressive Zeal: On one occasion, when a Samaritan village refused hospitality to Jesus, James and John proposed calling down fire from heaven on them.
Martyrdom: Around $42\,AD$ , shortly before Passover, James was beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa the First (grandson of Herod the Great, who had attempted to kill the infant Jesus).
Symbols: His symbols include the sword and the shell, the staff and the wallet, or the staff and the sword crossed.

Philip: The Lover of Horses

Biblical Presence: Philip appears in all four apostolic lists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts). He has his largest role in the Gospel of John and appears very little in others.
Etymology and Gnosticism: The name Philip means "lover of horses." Writings attributed to him were important in early Christian Gnosticism; Gnostic Christians used the apocryphal Gospel of Philip and the Acts of Philip to justify their beliefs.
Ministry: He is known for bringing Nathaniel to the Messiah. He preached in Phrygia, where he was martyred.
Symbol: His symbol is a Latin cross, often pictured carrying the cross of Christ, which was the central theme of his preaching.

Bartholomew: The Faithful Missionary

Missionary Work: Bartholomew is believed to have been a missionary with Philip and Thomas, preaching in Armenia, India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Phrygia.
Traditions and Characteristics: * Tradition says he prayed $100$ times a day and $100$ times a night. * His voice was described as being like a trumpet. * It is said that angels waited upon him, he was always cheerful, and he knew all languages.
Death and Symbolism: He was tortured to death by being skinned alive. His symbol includes a knife (referencing his torture) and a representation of his faithfulness to the word of God.

Matthew: The Tax Collector

Authorship: While Christian tradition attributes the Gospel according to Matthew to him, modern scholarship suggests the text is refined in Greek and theology, likely the work of a second-generation Christian or a convert from Judaism.
Role: He is listed as an original disciple in all four Gospels and Acts. He was a tax collector when called by Jesus.
Symbol: His symbol is three money bags, representing his former occupation.

Thomas: Didymus

Naming and Duality: Thomas is also called "Didymus," a name used each of the three times he appears in the Gospel of John.
Character Arc: * Initially shown as a symbol of strength, encouraging disciples to follow Jesus to Judea despite the threat of death. * Later expressed doubts about following Jesus. * Doubting Thomas: After the resurrection, he refused to believe until he could see the nail marks and put his hand into Jesus' side. Jesus eventually invited him: "Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing."

James the Lesser and Judas Thaddaeus

James the Lesser: Also known as "James the Just," he was called "lesser" due to being younger or shorter than James the Greater. He was the son of Alpheus and Mary (the sister of the Virgin Mary). * Death and Symbol: Agesippus records that he was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and his body was sawed in pieces. His symbol is the saw.
Judas Thaddaeus: Also known as Judelebius or Jude. He was the brother of James the Less. He famously asked Jesus why he would not appear to the whole world after his resurrection. * Symbols: A ship (representing mission voyages), an inverted cross, a spear and a club, or loaves and a fish.

Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot

Simon the Zealot: Before his calling, he was a zealist nationalist who sought to drive Romans out of cities through tactics that often led to bloody conflict. * Symbol: A fish on a book, emphasizing his transition to being a "fisher of men."
Judas Iscariot: The disciple who betrayed Jesus. * The Betrayal: He approached the chief priests and agreed to hand Jesus over for $30$ pieces of silver. He eventually led armed men to a garden and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. * Characteristics: He was known as a thief was in charge of the apostles' money. * End of Life: Driven by selfish distrust and despair, he ultimately hanged himself.

The Apostolic Connection and Legacy

Historical Link: The apostles represent the connection between the living Jesus, the resurrected Jesus, and the organized church. They were recipients of Jesus' teachings, witnesses to his resurrection, and recipients of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Authority: Many modern churches base the authority of religious leaders on connections to these original apostles.
Sacrifice: These $12$ men left their jobs, homes, and families to follow Jesus fully. Their selection as disciples is viewed by the church as a mark of the divine mission of Christ and the divine origin of Christianity.
Contextual Fragment: The notes mention direct titles of songs like the $1968$ hit "Say it loud on white $12$ ."