The 14 Apostles

 

When Jesus came to this earth he chose 12 among his disciples who would be the prime voice for Him after He left.

 

Matt. 18:18 – The apostles were given the keys to the kingdom.

 

Acts 8:14-17 – Only the apostles passed on the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 6:4 – The apostles’ primary responsibility was preaching.

 

Acts 1:8 – They were witnesses of Christ

Mark 3:13-19 – Jesus appointed 12 to be specifically with Him.

 

Mark tells us their names were: Simon (Peter), James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot.

 

Luke tells us: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot.

Luke 6:12-16

 

Matthew tells us their names were: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus (Thaddaeus), Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot.  Matt. 10:1-4

 

InActs 1:13 Luke gives us this list: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James.

 

By simple study one can determine the twelve and any name differences can be understood as surnames and descriptive names so that all would know the difference in the men.

 

We are familiar with Peter, Andrew, James, and John.  We know some of Matthew and less of Thomas and Philip.  Some think Bartholomew is Nathaniel of John.

 

John 1:43-51 – Philip went and found Nathaniel

John 21:2 – Nathaniel is here with several apostles after the death of Jesus.

 

We know next to nothing of James the son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus (Thaddaeus), Simon the Cananite.

 

Simon the Cananite or Zealot was not necessarily from Canaan.  The proper understanding is he was a zealot.  The Cananite is more correctly Cananaean.  These are described as a group of zealots for the Law of Moses that began during the Maccabaean era probably started by Judas the Gaulonite.

 

Judas the son of James is Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus.  These are surnames.  It would be necessary to differentiate him from Judas Iscariot.

 

The character of Judas Iscariot is brought out for us in the Gospels.

 

            Luke 6:16 – would become a traitor

 

            John 13:29 - treasurer

 

John 12:3-6 – criticized Mary, a thief

 

            Matt. 26:14-16 – betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver

 

            Matt. 27:3-5 – was remorseful but committed suicide

The 13^th apostle was Matthias.  He was chosen before the Day of Pentecost from among those who had been with Jesus from the beginning.

 

            Acts 1:15-26

 

The 14^th apostle was Paul.

 

            Acts 9:15 – a chosen vessel

 

Referred to as an apostle in the first verse of majority of letters

 

1 Cor. 15:7-9 – apostle born out of due time

One other was referred to as an apostle.

 

            Acts 14:14 – Barnabas was called an apostle.

 

This apostleship was not on par with the others.  While the term means “one who is sent”, Barnabas was not called out by Jesus Himself but simply called out for the work of ministry.

 

            Acts 13:2-3 – they were separated for their ministry

There are no apostles left as Jesus has not called any others to serve as apostles.  Nowhere in the New Testament do we read of the transfer of apostleship to others just as we do not read of a chief apostle other than Jesus Himself (Heb. 3:1)

 

These men served their purpose and completed their ministry and their strength and character should be an encouragement to us.

 

 

Chip Foster