THE TWELVE APOSTLES

“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.  Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have power to heal sickness and to cast out demons…” (Mark 3:13-14)

The 12 apostles of Jesus were the foundation stones of His early church!

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Many of the apostles wrote portions of the Bible.  These twelve lived with Jesus, ate with Him, and most importantly listened to Him.  They witnessed His ministry and joined together with Jesus to proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of God.  After the resurrection of Jesus, the apostles were empowered with the Holy Spirit and sent out to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Great Commission).

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In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that God attaches great importance to these twelve men:

Andrew

Brother of Peter

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Nathaniel (Bartholomew)

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James

Son of ZebedeeBrother of John.  1st martyr of the twelve who wrote letter, James

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James

Son of AlphaeusBrother of Matthew 

John

Son of ZebedeeBrother of James.  Wrote the Gospel, 1/2/3 John, and Revelation

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Judas Iscariot

Betrayed Jesus (not a true believer) for 30 pieces of Silver

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Thaddaeus

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Matthew

Tax Collector who wrote the first Gospel

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Simon Peter

Fisherman who wrote 1/2 Peter

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Philip  

Simon

the Zealot

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Thomas

Name means “twin”, Doubted Jesus’ resurrection

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Matthais

Replaced Judas by the other Apostles (Acts 1:15)

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Paul (Saul)

Not an apostle, but a major disciple who wrote many NT books