The Wednesday Notes
Apostleship
Table of Contents
Part 4, James, James, and James
Part 13, Paul
Part 1, October 30, 2002 - Apostle Peter
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [NIV]
1 Cor 12:28-30 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [NIV]
WHAT IS AN APOSTLE?
We should be able to better answer that question by looking at people in scripture who are called "apostle." The word means "one sent forth"; an envoy; a missionary, a messenger. Let’s start a list.
SIMON, PETER, CHEPAS
All the gospels indicate he was the first one to be an "apostle."
Matt 10:2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew;
Mark 3:16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);
Luke 6:13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter),
1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1 "a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ"
John 1:40-42; Matt 4:18; Mark 1:16
- fisherman
- called out by Jesus, followed Jesus
- name changed by Jesus
- left is nets
- brother of Andrew
Mark 1:36 - looked for Jesus
Luke 4:38 - mother-in-law healed
Luke 5:8-9 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,
Matt 14:29 - walked on water
Matt 15:15; 18:21; Mark 13:3; Luke 12:41
- asked Jesus questions and got answers
Matt 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20 - "You are the Christ"
Matt 16:22-23 (Mark 8:32-33) Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Matt 17:2, Mark 9:2-5; Luke 9:28 - transfiguration
Matt 19:27; Mark 10:28; John 6:68 - left everything
Matt 17:25 - coins in the mouth of fish
John 13:6-9 - foot washing
Luke 5:8; John 21:11 - catch of many fish
John 18 - drew a sword to defend
Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18 - denied Jesus
Luke 24:12; John 20
- ran to the empty tomb, discovered missing Jesus
SAW JESUS RESURRECTED
John 15:21 - feed my sheep
John 21:19 - told how he would die
1 Cor 15:5 - "appeared to Peter..."
TENDING TOWARDS LEADERSHIP:
Mark 16:7; John 21:3; Acts 1:15; Acts 2:14
BOOK OF ACTS – FIRST 12 CHAPTERS - EMPHASIS PETER
- Acts 2 Peter preached "first" sermon
- Acts 3 Healed lame man and preached again
- Acts 4 Arrested for preaching
- Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira "evangelism"
- Acts 8 Laying on of hands
- Acts 9 Raised the dead
- Acts 10-11 Holy Spirit to the Gentiles
- Acts 12 Peter in prison and released by the Holy Spirit
- Acts 15:7 Explained history of church
PETER & PAUL - Gal 2
WRITINGS: 1 & 2 Peter; some claim Mark is the gospel by Peter
TRADITION: first pope – Bishop of Rome
Part 2, November 6, 2002 - Apostle Andrew
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
WHAT IS AN APOSTLE?
We should be able to better answer that question by looking at people in scripture who are called "apostle." The word means "one sent forth"; an envoy; a missionary, a messenger.
Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist.[John 1:35, 40]
ANDREW, PETER’S BROTHER
All the gospels indicate he was the first one to be an "apostle."
Matt 10:2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew;
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
Luke 6:14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Andrew told his brother, Peter, about Jesus. [John 1:40-41]
Andrew is a fisherman [Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16]
Talked with Jesus privately [Mark 13:3]
Same town [John 1:44]
Same house [Mark 1:29]
Loaves and Fishes
John 6:8-9 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Had "better" access to Jesus.
John 12:20-22 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
Present when Holy Spirit came [Acts 1:13]
When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
From: http://www.chrysostom.org/firstcalled/life.html
LIFE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED
Andrew was at first a disciple of John the Baptizer along with John the Theologian. When the Forerunner pointed out Jesus as the Christ, they both became His disciples. Andrew took his brother, Saint Peter, to meet Jesus. He is called the Protokletos (the First Called) because he was the first Apostle to be summoned by Jesus into His service. Andrew and his brother Peter made their living as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Both men became Apostles, and while Peter symbolically came to represent the Church of the West, Andrew likewise represents the Church of the East.
The First Called, Apostle to Greece and Beyond According to ecclesiastical tradition, Andrew began his missionary activity in the Provinces of Vithynia and Pontus on the southern shores of the Black Sea. Later he journeyed to the City of Byzantium and founded the Christian Church there, ordaining the first Bishop of Byzantium, Stachys, who was one of the 70 disciples of the Lord.
After Pentecost, Andrew taught in Byzantium, Thrace, Russia, Epiros, and Peloponnese. In Amisos, he converted the Jews in the temple, baptized them, healed their sick, built a church, and left a priest for them. In Bithynia, he taught, healed their sick, and drove away the wild beasts that bothered them. His prayers destroyed the pagan temples, and those who resisted his words became possessed and gnawed at their bodies until Andrew healed them.
The First Called, Wonderworker In one of his several missionary journeys to Greece, Andrew visited the City of Patras. Through his preaching and the miracles of healing he performed, in the name of Jesus, many persons were converted to Christianity. Among those healed was Maximilla, the wife of the Roman Proconsul, Aegeates. Seeing this miracle of healing, Stratoklis, the highly intellectual brother of the Proconsul, also became a Christian, and Andrew consecrated and enthroned him as the first Bishop of Patras.
As a prophet, he foretold of the greatness of Kiev as a city and a stronghold of Christianity. In Sinope, he prayed for the imprisoned Apostle Matthias, and his chains fell from him and the cell door opened. The people beat Andrew, breaking his teeth, cutting his fingers, and left him for dead in a dung heap. Jesus appeared to him and healed him, telling him to be of good cheer. When the people saw him the next day, they were amazed and they believed. At another time, he raised a woman's only son from the dead.
The Crucifixion of the First Called The conversions to the Christian Faith by members of his own family infuriated the Proconsul Aegeates, and he decided, with the urging of the idolators who advised him, to crucify Andrew. The crucifixion was carried out on an X-shaped cross with the body of the Apostle upside down so that he saw neither the earth nor his executioners, but only the sky which he glorified as the heaven in which he would meet his Lord. Aegeates had him tied to the cross in this manner so that he would live longer and suffer more.
Twenty thousand of the faithful stood by and mourned. Even then, Andrew taught them and exhorted them to endure temporary sufferings for the kingdom of heaven. Out of fear of the people, Aegeates came to remove Andrew from the cross. Andrew, however, said that Aegeates could still become a Christian, but that he had already seen Jesus and he would not allow himself to be removed from the cross. Many tried to undo the knots, but their hands all became numb. Suddenly, a heavenly light illumined Andrew for about a half hour. When it left, Andrew had given up his spirit.
His body was tenderly removed from the cross by Bishop Stratoklis and Maximilla, and buried with all of the honor befitting the Apostle. Soon countless numbers of Christians made their way to Patras to pay reverence to the grave of Andrew, and when Aegeates realized that the man he had put to death was truly a holy man of God a demon fell upon him and tormented him so powerfully that he committed suicide.
Re-burial in Constaninople In the month of March in the year 357 the Emperor Constantine (son of Constantine The Great) ordered that the body of Saint Andrew be removed from Patras and be re-interred in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. With all the magnificence and honor of the Byzantine Empire and the Great Church of Christ at Constantinople, Saint Andrew was returned to the City that had first heard the message of Jesus Christ from his lips. Thus he became in death, as well as in life, the founder of the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople. His relics are in Constantinople along with the Apostle Luke and Timothy, the disciple of Paul, in the Church of the Apostles.
Patron Saint of Scotland The deeds and preaching of Andrew became known in all parts of the world. According to tradition a part of the remains of Andrew were taken to Scotland, and he was chosen as the Protector of the Scottish people. The Cross of Saint Andrew also adorns the British flag where it was placed after the union of Scotland and England. The skull of Andrew was kept in Patras until the year 1460 when Thomas Paleologos, the last ruler of the Morea, brought the skull to Rome. In 1967, under the orders of Pope Paul of the Roman Church, the skull was returned to Patras with all of the pomp and dignity of the Papal State. He remains the patron saint of Russia, Scotland and Romania to this day.
The Call of Saint Andrew
Today the voice of Saint Andrew continues to call on all Christians, especially the Orthodox Christians throughout the world, who celebrate his memory on November 30th in the liturgical year. His un-stilled spirit beckons across the centuries proclaiming: "The Savior of the world has come! He is the Christ, the Son of God!" This is the call of Saint Andrew to all men for "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow" (Hebrews 13:8).
Feast Day for St. Andrew is November 30
Pravda On-Line
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS HONOUR MEMORY OF SAINT APOSTLE ANDREW THE FIRST-CALLED
Saint apostle Andrew the First-Called is one of the Orthodox saints who are the most revered by the Russians. The highest state Order of present-day Russia was named after him, and warships of the Russian Navy carry a flag with St. Andrew's cross on their masts.
Of the twelve disciples of Christ Andrew was the first to follow the Son of God and was named First-Called for this.
Apostle Andrew preached Christianity in different countries, having passed Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia, the Crimea, and the Black Sea area. He visited also the lands where Rus came into being and shaped up later, and installed a cross on the Dnieper. According to a legend, Kiev (the ancient capital of Rus and now the capital of Ukraine) later emerged in this place.
On December 13, A.D.62 the apostle was crucified on a X-shaped cross at the Greek town of Patry for his preaching activity. On this day the Russian Orthodox Church honours the apostle's memory.
Tsar-reformer Peter I (1672-1725) honoured St. Andrew the First-Called as his favourite saint and divine patron. He called the first Russian Order after him. The Order, abolished in Soviet time, was revived in democratic Russia as the highest state award in the country.
Academician Dmitry Likhachev who was called "conscience of the nation" when he was alive, and arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov who designed the famous Kalashnikov submachine-gun were the first to be decorated with the Order of Saint Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
---------Since the 1700s, the flag for the Russian Navy is St. Andrews Cross: A blue X, corner to corner on a white field.
Part 3, November 13, 2002 - Apostle John
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
WHAT IS AN APOSTLE–so far?
- A disciple of Jesus
- Called out from the other disciples specifically by Jesus
- Forsook "all"
- Asks questions and received direct answers from Jesus
- Taught and shown be Jesus
- Specifically sent out by Jesus
- Ministers in many cities
- Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Signs and wonders – mighty miracles
- Heals the sick
- Raises the dead
- Preaches the gospel: Jesus crucified and resurrected
- Functions as an evangelist
- Functions as a prophet
- Starts churches
- Functions as a pastor
- Established "bishops" at churches
- Martyred and knows he is going to be
Peter wrote scripture–Andrew did not–John did..
APOSTLE JOHN, St John the Evangelist
John and Andrew were with the Baptist – and came to Jesus
Salome seems to be his mother (Matt 27:56 with Mark 15:40) and may have been the sister of Mary, mother of Jesus (John 19:25).
John was probably the youngest of the disciples because he sat next to Jesus during the Passover meal and leaned against his chest. (John 21:20)
John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder);
One of the "top two"
Matt 17:1-2; (Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28)
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
(Mark 5:37) Luke 8:51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.
Mark 13:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 14:33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. (Matt 26:33)
Luke 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer-at three in the afternoon.
The apostle John rose to a position of influence within world-wide Christianity and shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, he moved to Ephesus.
Exiled to Patmos where Revelation was written. Returned to Ephesus. Died peacefully of old age.
MISTAKES OF JOHN
Luke 9:49 – "we tried to stop him
Luke 9:54 - "may we call fire down and burn them up?
Mark 10:37 – They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
SCRIPTURE
Gospel of John "It is in fact he who wrote it, and we know his testimony is true"
1 John "we have heard it, seen it and felt it"
2 John "the Elder"
3 John "the Elder"
Revelation "John, who, in telling all that he saw, has born witness..."
Part 4, November 20, 2002 - Apostle(s) James
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles,...
James
(brother of John; son of Zebedee) [http://www.biblepath.com/]The apostle James was the eldest brother of the apostle John and their father's name was Zebedee (their mother's name was Salome.) There is also some evidence that James was the first cousin of Jesus the Messiah and had been acquainted with Him from infancy. It is believed that his mother Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother Mary.
Not much is known of his ministry after the Lord's resurrection, but it is believed that he lived another 14 years before his martyrdom. It is believed that within this 14 year period, James visited the Jewish colonist and slaves in Spain to preach the Gospel. James was the first apostle to suffer martyrdom (Acts 12:2). By order of Herod Agrippa I, James was beheaded in Jerusalem about the feast of Easter, 44 AD.
James
(Son of Alphaeus) [http://www.biblepath.com/]The apostle James ( the son of Alphaeus), who is also called "Less" [smaller] or "Younger," was a brother of the apostle Matthew and the son of Mary, wife of one Cleopas. He, too, was a tax collector.
Not much is known about the later ministry of this apostle, however, Aziz S. Atiya, in his "History of Eastern Christianity" says," The seeds of Syrian Christianity had been sown in Jerusalem during the Apostolic age and the contention has been made that the first bishop of the Syrian church was none other than St. James of the Twelve Apostles, identified as 'St. James the Less'."
It has also been said that James (son of Alphaeus) was stoned in Jerusalem for preaching Christ and buried by the Sanctuary.
James
(brother of Christ, author of epistle, Bishop of Jerusalem)[Dictionary of the Bible, Edited by James Hastings, Schribners]
Like the rest of the Lord’s brothers, James did not believe in Him while He lived, but acknowledged His claims after the Resurrection. Some traditions have James as a step-brother from an earlier wife of Joseph. (Jude is James’ brother.) James was won to faith by a special manifestation of the risen Lord (1 Cor 15:7). Thereafter he rose to high eminence in the church. He was the head of the Church at Jerusalem and figures in that capacity on three occasions. (1) Three years after his conversion, Paul went up to Jerusalem to interview Peter, and , though he stayed for 15 days with him, he saw no one else except James (Gal 1:18-19). So soon did James’ authority rival Peter’s. (2) After an interval of 14 years Paul went up again to Jerusalem (Gal 2:1-10). This was the occasion of the historic conference regarding the terms on which the Gentiles should be admitted into the Christian Church; and James acted as president, his decision being unanimously accepted (Acts 15:4-34). (3) James was the acknowledged head of the Church of Jerusalem, and when Paul returned from his third missionary journey he waited on him and made a report to him in presence of the elders (Acts 21:18-19). He was Bishop of Jerusalem for about 30 years.
According to extra-canonical tradition, James was surnamed “the Just”; he was a Nazirite from his mother’s womb, abstaining from strong drink and animal food, and wearing linen; he was always kneeling in intercession for the people, so that his knees were callous like a camel’s; he was cruelly martyred by the Scribes and Pharisees: they cast him down from the pinnacle of the Temple and as the fall did not kill him, they stoned him, and he was finally despatched with a fuller’s club.
APOSTOLIC ACTIVITY
Acts 2:42-43 The Church: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
WHAT IS AN APOSTLE-so far?
• Called out-set apart-by Jesus; has seen Jesus
• Ministers in many cities and/or to specific city
• Filled with the Holy Spirit
• Functions as a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, and teacher
• Preaches the gospel boldly
• Signs and wonders
• Establishes churches and bishops in cities
• Martyred and knows he is going to be
• Dedicated to prayer
• Dedicated to ministering the Word (Apostolic teaching)
Part 5, November 27, 2002 - Apostle Philip
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, ...
Philip was another type of apostle--a Hebrew with a Greek name-with an inquiring spirit. Different from Philip, the Evangelist (one of the deacons in Acts). And there is some confusion in traditions between the two such as both had un-married daughters who were prophetesses [Acts 21:8-9].
PHILIP AND THE 12
Matthew 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
Luke 6:14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
“COME AND SEE”
Philip went for the hard evidence: written and visible.
John 1:43-46 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip.
- Jesus went and found Philip before leaving the area
- Jesus told him, “Follow Me”
- Philip was from the same home town as Peter and Andrew
- Philip went and found Nathanael
- Philip knew the books of Moses and how they relate to Messiah
- Philip knew the prophets and how they relate to Messiah
- Philip knew about the genealogy of Jesus
- Philip had the “let me show you” attitude
PHILIP SEEMS TO BE PRAGMATIC, ANALYTICAL TYPE
John 6:5-7 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
GREEK CONNECTION
They were comfortable approaching him.
John 12:20-22 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
“SHOW US THE FATHER”
John 14:8-14 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
1. A source of the Jesus Only thinking.
2. A source of prosperity teaching
3. The ONE thing the church does not do: “greater things”
PHILIP AND THOMAS
In this list preceding Pentecost, Philip is next to Thomas rather than Bartholomew.
Acts 1:13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
TRADITIONS:
- traveled with his sister Mariamme and Bartholomew.
- preached against the “writhing serpent” who has “no substance”
- Gifts of the Spirit evident in disciples / followers / new converts
- hanged with head downward; ankles and heels pierced with spikes
Part 6, December 4, 2002 - Apostle Bartholomew
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, ...
Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
John 1:44-51 ... Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Acts 1:13 ... Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
1st century; feast day in Epternach and Cambrai is August 25 and in Persia, June 13. The only things that we know with certainty about Saint Bartholomew can be found in the Scriptures. He is one of the 12 apostles. His name, a patronymic, means "son of Tolomai" and scholars believe he is the same person as Nathanael mentioned in John, who says he is from Cana and that Jesus called him an "Israelite . . . incapable of deceit." The surprised Bartholomew asked, "How do you know me?" And Jesus answered, "Before Philip called you, I saw you sitting under a fig tree."
Bartholomew's earlier skepticism disappeared. He said to Jesus, "Teacher, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel." To this Jesus responded: "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he did. But Jesus continued, "Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." Bartholomew lived to see the Resurrection.
The Roman Martyrology says that Bartholomew preached in India and Greater Armenia, where he was flayed alive and beheaded by King Astyages at Derbend on the Caspian Sea. Tradition has the place as Abanopolis on the west coast of the Caspian Sea and that he also preached in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt. Pantenus of Alexandria (2nd century) is said by Eusebius to have found in "India" a Gospel of Saint Matthew attributed to Bartholomew and written in Hebrew. The Gospel of Bartholomew is apocryphal and was condemned in the decree of Pseudo-Gelasius.
His relics were said to have been interred on the island of Lipara and eventually translated to Benevento, Italy, then Rome, where the church of Saint Bartholomew on Isola San Bartolomeo in the Tiber claims them. One of his arms was said to have been given to Canterbury in the 11th century by King Canute's wife, Queen Emma (Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Farmer).
In art, Saint Bartholomew is portrayed as a bearded, sometimes middle-aged, sometimes venerable man, with a book and a butcher's knife used for his flaying. At times he holds his own flayed skin.
BARTHOLOMEW
The apostle Bartholomew was led to Christ in the region of Galilee, possibly by the apostle Philip and his latter ministry belongs more to the eastern churches than it does to the western churches. There is a very interesting personal description of Bartholomew which says that He had black curly hair, white skin, large eyes, a straight nose, hair that covered his ears and a long grizzled middle height beard. Bartholomew is said to have worn a white robe with a purple stripe and a white cloak with four purple gems at the corners. For twenty-six years he wore these and it is said that they never grew old. In fact, It was also reported, that his shoes lasted the same as his clothing. Of Bartholomew, it is said that he prayed a hundred times a day and a hundred times a night. It is also said that his voice was like a trumpet, angels waited upon him and that he was always cheerful and knew all languages. In the company of the apostle Philip, the apostle Bartholomew went to Asia Minor and labored in Hierapolis, near Laodicea and Colosse, in what is modern day Turkey. While in Hierapolis, it is said that the wife of the Roman proconsul was healed by the apostles Philip and Bartholomew, that she became a Christian and that her husband ordered Philip and Bartholomew to be put to death by crucifixion. Sadly, Philip was crucified, but Bartholomew escaped martyrdom, when for some special reason, the magistrates caused him to be taken down from the cross and dismissed. From there, Bartholomew went eastward to India and then to greater Armenia. A popular tradition among the Armenians is that the apostle Jude (Thaddaeus) was the first to evangelize their region throughout the years of 43 to 66 AD and that the apostle Bartholomew joined him in 60 AD (eight years before Bartholomew was martyred). It is also said that Bartholomew carried with him a copy of the apostle Matthew's Gospel. This copy was reported to be found at a later time and a converted stoic philosopher by the name of Pantaenus is said to have brought it to Alexandria. Bartholomew is reported to have labored in the area around the south end of the Caspian Sea, in the section that was then called Armenia. The modern name of the district where he died is Azerbaijan and the place of his death, called in New Testament times Albanopolis, is now Derbend which is on the west coast of the Caspian Sea. The apostle Bartholomew is said to have been martyred in the year 68 AD.
Part 7, December 11, 2002 - Apostle Thomas
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, ... [NIV]
AN APOSTLE:
- is called by Jesus and sent with the Gospel to many cities
- has seen, talked to, and been taught by Jesus
- establishes churches and appoints bishops and pastors for them
- is accompanied by signs and wonders (miracles) such as resurrections
- is anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power
Matthew 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; [NIV]
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot [NIV]
Luke 6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, [NIV]
3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THOMAS
LAZARUS IS DEAD -- "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
John 11:16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." [NIV]
MANY MANSIONS -- “We don’t know where you are going”
John 14:4-5 You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" [NIV]
DOUBTING THOMAS -- “My Lord and my God”.
John 20:24-29 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." [NIV]
AFTER DECLARATION -- Listed right after Peter.
John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. [NIV]
Acts 1:13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. [NIV]
THOMAS
(tom'-as) (Thomas; ta'om, "a twin" (in plural only): One of the Twelve Apostles.
In Apocryphal Literature: According to the "Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles" (cf Budge, The Contendings of the Apostles, II, 50), Thomas was of the house of Asher. The oldest accounts are to the effect that he died a natural death . Two fields are mentioned by apocryphal literature as the scene of Thomas' missionary labors. (1) According to Origen, he preached in Parthia, the according to a Syrian legend he died at Edessa. The Agbar legend also indicates the connection of Thomas with Edessa. But Eusebius indicates it was Thaddaeus and not Thomas who preached there. (2) Along with these are other sources identifying Thomas with India. Thus, "The Acts of Thomas" , a Gnostic work dating from the 2 nd century, tells how when the world was partitioned out as a mission field among the disciples, India fell to "Judas Thomas, also called Didymus," and narrates his adventures on the way, his trials, missionary success, and death at the hands of Misdai, king of India. The "Preaching of St. Thomas" relates still more fantastic adventures of Thomas in India, and the "Martyrdom of St. Thomas in India" states that on his departure toward Macedonia he was put to death as a sorcerer.
Of the two, the former is the more probable. An attempt at reconciliation has been made by supposing that the relics of Thomas were transported from India to Edessa, but this is based on inaccurate historical information. The additional names "Judas" and "Didymus" have caused further confusion in apocryphal literature in regard to Thomas, and have led to his identification with Judas of James, and hence, with Thaddaeus, and also with Judas the brother of Jesus (compare Matt 13:55). Thus in the "Acts of Thomas" he is twice called the "twin brother of the Messiah." Another legend makes Lysia the twin sister of Thomas. A Gnostic "Gospel of Thomas" was known to Irenaeus
COLIN M. KERR (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)
Part 8, January 8, 2003 - Apostle Matthew
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, ... [NIV]
AN APOSTLE:
- is called by Jesus and sent with the Gospel to many cities
- has seen, talked to, and been taught by Jesus
- establishes churches and appoints bishops and pastors for them
- is accompanied by signs and wonders (miracles) such as resurrections
- is anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Matthew 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
Luke 6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,
Acts 1:13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
MATTHEW
Meaning "the gift of Jehovah," contracted from Mattathias. The evangelist and apostle. Son of Alphaeus (not the father of James the Less, for Matthew and James are never coupled as brothers). Mark (Mark 2:14, compare Mark 3:18) and Luke (Luke 5:27, compare with Luke 6:15) veil his former less honorable occupation of a PUBLICAN (which see) under his original name Levi; but Matthew himself gives it, and humbly puts himself after Thomas, an undesigned mark of genuineness; whereas Mark (Mark 3:18) and Luke (Luke 6:15) put Matthew before Thomas in the list of apostles. As subordinate to the head farmers of the Roman revenues he collected dues at Capernaum on the sea of Galilee, the route by which traffic passed between Damascus and the Phoenician seaports. But Matthew is not ashamed to own his identity with "the publican" in order to magnify Christ's grace (Matt 9:9), and in his catalogue of the apostles (Matt 10:3). Christ called him at "the receipt of custom," and he immediately obeyed the call. Desiring to draw others of his occupation with him to the Savior he made in His honor a great feast (Matt 9:9-13; Luke 5:29; Mark 2:14). "Many publicans and sinners" thus had the opportunity of hearing the word; and the murmuring of the Pharisee, and the reply of our Lord "they that be whole need not a physician but they that are sick ... I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance," imply that his effort was crowned with success. With the undesigned propriety which marks genuineness Matthew talks of Jesus' sitting down in "the house" without telling whose house it was, whereas Mark mentions it as Levi's. He was among those who met in the upper room at Jerusalem after our Lord's ascension (Acts 1:13). Eustathius (H. E. iii. 24) says that after our Lord's ascension Matthew preached in Judaea and then in foreign nations (Ethiopia, according to Socrates Scholasticus, H. E. i. 19).
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
FEAST (Notice the differences in the accounts)
Matt 9:10-13 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
[Matthew quotes Hosea 6:6]
Mark 2:13-17 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
WRITER OF THE GOSPEL
- Frequently quotes O.T. prophecies fulfilled or scriptures quoted
- Follows outline of Mark and parallels Luke
- Gospel written before AD 64
MATTHEW http://www.biblepath.com/matthew1.html
The apostle Matthew, also called Levi, was the son of Alphaeus and the brother of the apostle James the Less, or, James, son of Alphaeus. By profession, Matthew was a tax collector before being called by Jesus to follow Him.
Matthew probably remained in the Holy Land, as tradition says, for 15 years and after this, encouraged by the reports of the success of other Christian leaders among the Jews (the Diaspora) and, also, among the Gentiles, he went forth on several missionary journeys. It is certain that he went to Persia and the mysterious area in Persia known as "Ethiopia." It is, also, possible that he traveled to the Ethiopia in Africa as the Roman Catholic tradition indicates and there is, also, a belief that Matthew was martyred in Egypt upon his return from Ethiopia in Africa, but, this, is not certain. There is a tradition which says that Matthew was martyred in Parthia.
Matthew was a gifted writer, an ardent disciple and was perhaps the best educated of any of the Twelve Apostles. He was the writer of The Gospel of Matthew.
Part 9, January 15, 2003 - Apostle Thaddaeus
A.K.A. JUDAS, SON OF JAMES or JUDE LEBBAEUS
Judas (not Iscariot) [John 14:22] Check out the question he asks.
Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, ... [NIV]
Matthew 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
Luke 6:15-16 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Acts 1:13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
FROM: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=127
St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.
Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. According to Eusebius, he returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem.
He is an author of an epistle (letter) to the Churches of the East, particularly the Jewish converts, directed against the heresies of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics. This Apostle is said to have suffered martyrdom in Armenia, which was then subject to Persia. The final conversion of the Armenian nation to Christianity did not take place until the third century of our era.
Jude was the one who asked Jesus at the Last Supper why He would not manifest Himself to the whole world after His resurrection. Little else is known of his life. Legend claims that he visited Beirut and Edessa; possibly martyred with St. Simon in Persia.
JUDE LEBBAEUS, THADDAEUS. Jude calls himself "servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of JAMES", namely, the apostle James "the Lord's brother" (a title which James omits in humility, as he was strictly only cousin of Christ), bishop of Jerusalem (compare Gal 1:19). Similarly Jude was both an apostle and brother of our Lord. All Christ's brethren were not apostles, only James and Jude, sons of Alphaeus or Clopas and Mary. James being better known, Jude designates himself "brother of James." Like Paul in epistles to Philippians, Thessalonians, and Philemon, Jude omits his apostleship. A forger would have been sure to head the epistle with the designation "apostle." Jude is distinguished from Judas Iscariot by the names Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus, i.e. courageous, from Hebrew leeb "heart," thad "breast," or hodah "praise" (Adai is the name in Syriac): Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18. Luke and John writing later, when no confusion with Judas Iscariot was likely, call him "Judas." The only notice of him is in John 14:22, where, not understanding Jesus' promise (John 14:21), Judas (not Iscariot) asked "Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us and not unto the world?" His position in the last group of four among the twelve implies, like his question, low views at that time of the spirituality of Messiah's kingdom.
Hegesippus states that when the emperor Domitian inquired after David's posterity, grandsons of Jude "the Lord's brother" were brought before him; they stated their possessions were 39 acres, and that they paid him taxes thereout and lived by labour, pointing as a proof to their hard hands. They added, Christ's kingdom is not of this world, but heavenly, and will be manifested when He shall come again in glory. (from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
FROM: http://wesley.nnu.edu/noncanon/acts/actthad.htm
In those times there was a governor of the city of Edessa, Abgarus by name. And there having gone abroad the fame of Christ, of the wonders which He did, and of His teaching, Abgarus having heard of it, was astonished, and desired to see Christ, and could not leave his city and government. And about the days of the Passion and the plots of the Jews, Abgarus, being seized by an incurable disease, sent a letter to Christ by Ananias the courier, (2) to the following effect:--To Jesus (3) called Christ, Abgarus the governor of the country of the Edessenes, an unworthy slave. The multitude of the wonders done by thee has been heard of by me, that thou healest the blind, the lame, and the paralytic, and curest all the demoniacs; and on this account I entreat thy goodness to come even to us, and escape from the plottings of the wicked Jews, which through envy they set in motion against thee. My city is small, but large enough for both. Abgarus enjoined Ananias to take accurate account of Christ, of what appearance He was, and His stature, and His hair, and in a word everything.
And Ananias, having gone and given the letter, was carefully looking at Christ, but was unable to fix Him in his mind. And He knew as knowing the heart, and asked to wash Himself; and a towel (4) was given Him; and when He had washed Himself, He wiped His face with it. And His image having been imprinted upon the linen, He gave it to Ananias, saying: Give this, and take back this message, to him that sent thee: Peace to thee and thy city! For because of this I am come, to suffer for the world, and to rise again, and to raise up the forefathers. And after I have been taken up into the heavens I shall send thee my disciple Thaddaeus, who shall enlighten thee, and guide thee into all the truth, both thee and thy city.
And having received Ananias, and fallen down and adored the likeness, Abgarus was cured of his disease before Thaddaeus came.
And after the passion, and the resurrection, and the ascension, Thaddaeus went to Abgarus; and having found him in health, he gave him an account of the incarnation of Christ, and baptized him, with all his house. And having instructed great multitudes, both of Hebrews and Greeks. Syrians and Armenians, he baptized them ... Presented history of Jesus
...And the multitudes having heard this, brought together their sick and demoniacs. And Thaddaeus, having gone forth along with his disciples, laid his hand upon each one of them, and healed them all by calling upon the name of Christ. And the demoniacs were healed before Thaddaeus came near them, the spirits going out of them. And for many days the people ran together from different places, and beheld what was done by Thaddaeus. And hearing his teaching, many believed, and were baptized, confessing their sins.
Having therefore remained with them for five years, he built a church; and having appointed as bishop one of his disciples, and presbyters, and deacons, and prayed for them, he went away,
Part 10, January 22, 2003 - Apostle Simon (Zealot)
Matthew 10:4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. [NIV]
OR Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. [KJV]
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
OR And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, [KJV]
Kananaios (kan-an-ahee'-os); a member of a fanatical, Jewish, nationalistic, political sect: a Cananean, a Zealot, a revolutionary. And Kana (kan-ah'); Cana, a place in Palestine:
Luke 6:15-16 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Acts 1:13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
Zelotes (dzay-lo-tace'); a Zealot, i.e. (specially) partisan for Jewish political independence:
Simon ( the Zealot ) was believed to have preached the Gospel throughout North Africa, from Egypt to Mauritania, and even into Britain.
There is a church tradition which says that he was crucified by the Romans in Caistor, Lincolnshire, Britain and subsequently buried there on May 10, circa 61 A.D. This cannot be confirmed, however, as there is also a strong tradition which says, that having left Britain, Simon, at some point , went to Persia and was martyred there by being sawn in two.
If Simon was a Zealot (articles following suggest that is not what original languages mean) he would have been the extreme opposite of what Matthew was: Zealots opposed Romans to the point of assassination, tax collectors worked for Romans. This “fanaticism” is nice sermon material, but may be stretching reality to an extreme. Simon may have been closer to a Saul (Phil 3:4-6) than a radical, militant, political Jew. HOWEVER, he may indeed have been almost an assassin of Romans. Maybe that is why he placed next to Judas in the lists.
The name of Simon occurs in all the passages of the Gospel and Acts, in which a list of the Apostles is given. To distinguish him from St. Peter he is called (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18) Kananaios, or Kananites, and Zelotes (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). Both surnames have the same signification and are a translation of the Hebrew qana (the Zealous). The name does not signify that he belonged to the party of Zealots, but that he had zeal for the Jewish law, which he practised before his call. Jerome and others wrongly assumed that Kana was his native place; were this so, he should have been called Kanaios. The Greeks, Copts, and Ethiopians identify him with Nathanael of Cana; the first-mentioned also identify him with the bridegroom of the marriage of Cana, while in the "Chronicon paschale" and elsewhere he is identified with Simon Clopas. -- above text Copyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton Company
FROM:http://www.rosebud.bravepages.com/The%20Twelve%20Apostles/Simon.html
ST. SIMON is surnamed the Cananaean or Canaanite, and the Zealot, to distinguish him from St. Peter, and from St. Simeon, the brother of St. James the Less, and his successor in the see of Jerusalem. From the first of these surnames some have thought that St. Simon was bom at Cana, in Galilee. Certain modern Greeks pretend that it was at his marriage that our Lord turned the water into wine. It is not to be doubted but he was a Galilaean: Theodoret says, of the tribe either of Zabulon or Nepthali But as for the surname of Cananaean, it has in Syro- Chaldaic the same signification which the word Zelotes bears in Greek. St. Luke translated it, the other evangelists retained the original name; for Canath in Syro-Chaldaic, or modern Hebrew, signifies Zeal, as St. Jerome observes. Nicephorus Calixti, a modern Greek historian, tells us this name was given to St. Simon only from the time of his apostleship, wherein he expressed an ardent zeal and affection for his Master, was an exact observer of all the rules of his religion, and opposed with a pious warmth all those who swerved from it. As the evangelists take no notice of such a circumstance, Hammond and Grotius think that St. Simon was called the Zealot, before his coming to Christ, because he was one of that particular sect or party among the Jews called Zealots, from a singular zeal they professed for the honor of God, and the purity of religion. A party called Zealots were famous in the war of the Jews against the Romans. They were main instruments in instigating the people to shake off the yoke of subjection; they assassinated many of the nobility and others, in the streets, filled the temple itself with bloodshed and other horrible profanations, and were the chief cause of the ruin of their country. But no proof is offered by which it is made to appear that any such party existed in our Savior's time, though some then maintained that it was not lawful for a Jew to pay taxes to the Romans. At least if any then took the name of Zealots, they certainly neither followed the impious conduct, nor adopted the false and inhuman maxims of those mentioned by Josephus in his history of the Jewish war against the Romans. St. Simon, after his conversion, was zealous for the honor of his Master, and exact in all the duties of the Christian religion; and showed a pious indignation towards those who professed this holy faith with their mouths, but dishonored it by the irregularity of their fires. No further mention appears of him in the gospels, than that he was adopted by Christ into the college of the apostles. With the rest he received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, which he afterwards exercised with great zeal and fidelity. Nicephorus Calixti, and some other modern Greeks, pretend, that after preaching in Mauritania, and other parts of Africa, he sailed into Britain, and having enlightened the minds of many with the doctrine of the gospel, was crucified by the infidels. But of this there appears no shadow of probability, and the vouchers, by many inconsistencies, destroy the credit of their own assertion. If this apostle preached in Egypt, Cyrene, and Mauritania, he returned into the East; for the Martyrologies of St. Jerome, Bede, Ado, and Usuard place his martyrdom in Persia, at a city called Suanir, possibly in the country of the Suani, a people in Colchis, or a little higher in Sarmatia, then allied with the Parthians in Persia, which may agree with a passage in the Acts of St. Andrew, that in the Cimmerian Bosphorus there was a tomb in a grot, with an inscription, importing that Simon the Zealot was interred there. His death is said in these Martyrologies to have been procured by the idolatrous priests. Those who mention the manner of his death say he was crucified. St. Peter's church on the Vatican a Rome, and the cathedral of Toulouse are said to possess the chief portions of the relics of SS. Simon and Jude.
APOSTLESHIP CONSISTS OF
- Seen Jesus; been taught by Jesus; presented Gospel of Jesus; sent out by Jesus
- Filled with Holy Spirit; did signs and wonders including healing and resurrection
- Established churches; placed bishops and deacons in churches to maintain them
Part 11, January 29, 2003 - Apostle Judas Iscariot
Matthew 10:4
Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.Mark 3:19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
Luke 6:16 ...Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
But he was still an apostle. Acts 1:17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
BUT Psalm 109:1-20 and 2 Peter 2; Matt 7:21-23 'I never knew you. ...
Did not believe from the beginning but he did “all” that the disciples did (Luke 9:1)
betrayer; devil; thief; greedy; schemer; liar
BREAD OF LIFE TEACHING STARTED BETRAYAL - and many disciples left.
John 6:60-71 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. ... Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
PERFUME INCIDENT GALVANIZED BETRAYAL (misguided “benevolence”)
John 12:4-6 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Matt 26:14-16 [Mark 14:10-11] Then one of the Twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Luke 22:1-6 ...2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
FOOTWASHING (doesn’t save or purify you)
John 13:2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
John 13:10-11 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
BREAD (doesn’t save or purify you)
Matt 26:20-26 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." ...
John 13:26-30 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION (son of perdition)
John 17:12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. What scripture? Psalm 41:9 [“son of perdition” also used in 2 Thess 2:3]
John 18:2-3 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Luke 22:47-48 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
REMORSE OF JUDAS
Matt 27:3-10 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me." [Jeremiah is the first book of the prophets as they were grouped in that day so the other prophets would be identified by “Jeremiah” (Ryrie) - Zech 11:12-13 and Jer 18:1-4; 19:1-3 refer to “potters”]
REPLACEMENT
Acts 1:15-20 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus- 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms,
"'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' [Ps 69:25]
and, "'May another take his place of leadership.' [Ps 109:8]
Part 12, February 5, 2003 - Apostle Matthias
Acts 1:20--26 "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms,
"'May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,'
and,
"'May another take his place of leadership.'
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Orthodox Church in America
From: http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Feasts-and-Saints/August/Aug-09.html
The Holy Apostle Matthias was born at Bethlehem, and was a descendent of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood he studied the Law of God in accord with the Books of Scripture under the guidance of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver. When the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the world, Saint Matthias believed in Him as the Messiah, followed constantly after Him and was numbered amongst the Seventy Disciples, whom the Lord "did send by twos before His face" (Lk 10:1). After the Ascension of the Saviour, Saint Matthias was chosen by lot to replace amongst the 12 Apostles the fallen-away Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15-26). After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Matthias preached the Gospel at Jerusalem and in Judea together with the other Apostles (Acts 6:2, 8:14).
From Jerusalem he went with the Apostles Peter and Andrew to Syrian Antioch, and was in the Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope. Here the Apostle Matthias was locked into prison, from which he was miraculously freed by the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The Apostle Matthias journeyed after this to Amasia, a city on the shore of the sea. During a 3 year journey of the Apostle Andrew, Saint Matthias was with him at Edessa and Sebasteia.
According to Church tradition, he was preaching at Pontine AEthiopia (presently Western Gruzia / Georgia) and Macedonia. He was frequently subjected to deadly peril, but the Lord preserved him alive to further preach the Gospel.
One time pagans forced the apostle to drink a poison potion. The apostle drank it and not only did he himself remain unharmed, but he also healed other prisoners which had been blinded by the potion. When Saint Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain -- since he had become invisible to them.
Another time, when the pagans had become enraged intending to kill the apostle, the earth opened up and engulfed them. The Apostle Matthias returned to Judea and did not cease with the enlightening of his countrymen with the light of Christ's teachings. He worked great miracles in the Name of the Lord Jesus and he converted a great many to faith in Christ.
The Jewish High-Priest Ananias hated Christ and earlier had commanded the Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, to be flung down from the heights of the Temple, and now he ordered that the Apostle Matthias be arrested and brought for judgement before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. The impious Ananias uttered a speech in which he blasphemously slandered the Lord. By way of answer, the Apostle Matthias pointed out in the prophesies of scripture that Jesus Christ -- is the True God, the Messiah promised Israel by God, the Son of God, Consubstantial and Co-Eternal with God the Father.
After these words the Apostle Matthias was sentenced to death by the Sanhedrin and stoned. When Saint Matthias was already dead, the Jews, to hide their malefaction, cut off his head as being an enemy of Caesar. (According to several historians, the Apostle Matthias was crucified on a cross, and indicate that he instead died at Colchis.) The Apostle Matthias received the martyr's crown of death for Christ in about the year 63.
Biblical Selection Process LOTS, CASTING OF
A way of making decisions in Bible times, similar to drawing straws or casting a pair of dice to determine what course or direction to follow. The word lots occurs 70 times in the Old Testament and seven in the New Testament. Most of the occurrences were in the early period when little of the Bible was available and when God apparently approved of this means for determining His will.
For example, the high priest separated the SCAPEGOAT from the one he sacrificed by casting the lot (Lev 16:8-10). The practice occurs most often in connection with the division of the land under Joshua (Josh 14-21), a procedure that God directed several times in the Book of Numbers (Num 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2).
Various offices and functions in the Temple were also determined by lot (1 Chron 24:5,31; 25:8-9; 26:13-14). The sailors on Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:7) also cast lots to determine who had brought God's wrath upon their ship. Only once in the New Testament did the casting of lots happen with God's approval. This occurred in the selection of Matthias to fill the spot vacated by Judas among the apostles (Acts 1:26).
In spite of the many references to casting lots in the Old Testament, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They could have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones like coins, or some kind of dice; but their exact nature is unknown.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
LOT. 1. (Heb. goral, a "pebble"; hebel, "measuring line, portion"; Grk. lanchano, to "cast lots," Luke 1:9; kleros, "pebble, bit of wood"; to cast lots with, Acts 1:26). The custom of deciding doubtful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity, recommending itself as a sort of appeal to the Almighty, secure from all influence of passion or bias, and is a sort of divination employed even by the gods themselves
(from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
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