Do We Give Them Enough Credit?

The term “apostle” in the Bible originates from the Greek word “apostolos,” which means “messenger” or “one who is sent“. We study their writings, learn from their wisdom, and admire their strength. These were the individuals who walked the earth with Jesus and bore witness to His miracles. Many of them would also witness His suffering, death, and resurrection. Most of them chose to be martyred rather than renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. Why should we make the effort to comprehend their message to us today? As a starting point, none of the original apostles were self-appointed or chosen by human authority. Every individual was personally called and commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself. This divine calling sets them apart for their unique role in the founding of the early Christian Church.

(Matthew 4:18-22)¹NIV New International Version Translations – “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

The apostles would demonstrate unwavering faith and commitment to Jesus and His teachings. Their dedication, even in the face of persecution and martyrdom, should inspire us to remain steadfast in our own beliefs and values. Many apostles experienced profound personal transformations. For example, Peter went from being a fisherman to a foundational leader of the early church. This shows that anyone can change and grow, regardless of their past. The apostles were leaders who served others selflessly. Their example teaches us the importance of servant leadership, where leading involves serving and uplifting others. Each faced numerous challenges, including imprisonment, beatings, and even death. Their courage and perseverance in spreading the Gospel can encourage us to stand firm in our convictions, even when faced with difficulties.

(Philippians 1:27) – “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”

The apostle’s collaboration and sense of unity highlight the importance of working together and supporting one another in our communities. This unity has become an essential attribute for people seeking to make our world a better place. They were not perfect men. Many would make mistakes and have moments of doubt. However, they were humble and willing to repent. This teaches us the value of humility and the importance of seeking forgiveness and growth. None, however, ever lost a sense of their mission. The apostles were dedicated to spreading the message of Jesus to the world. Their missionary work reminds us of the importance of sharing our beliefs and values with others and making a positive impact in the world.

We tend to only remember the twelve apostles (disciples) chosen by Jesus in His earthly ministry. They would be given the task of spreading the Gospel and establishing the Christian church. The New Testament includes mentions of other apostles, such as Paul, who was called by the resurrected Jesus during his experience on the road to Damascus. There are also New Testament references to other individuals who were considered apostles; as many as 25 are explicitly mentioned.

When we read Scripture, it is easy to miss their individuality. Each was a unique person, just like us. Take the name “James,” for example. There were three apostles named James.

James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the original twelve apostles and the brother of the apostle John. He is mentioned in at least 21 Bible references. James worked with his brother John, his father Zebedee, and Simon Peter in the fishing business in the Sea of Galilee. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, which included Peter, James, and John. James, the son of Zebedee, was also known as “James the Greater” and had a significant mission as an apostle. There were some key aspects of his mission:

• Witness to Major Events: As a member of the inner circle, James witnessed several major events in Jesus’ ministry. These included the Transfiguration, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, the raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead, and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Teaching and Preaching: Like the other apostles, James would have been involved in teaching and preaching the message of Jesus. The apostles were sent out to spread the teachings of Jesus and establish the early Christian church.
• Martyrdom: James was the first apostle to be martyred, which occurred by order of King Herod Agrippa I. His willingness to die for his faith was a testament to his commitment to Jesus.
• Patronage: After his death, James became the patron saint of Spain. According to tradition, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, attracting Christian pilgrims from all over the world.

James, the son of Alphaeus, was often referred to as “James the Less” because he was not as well-known as James, the son of Zebedee. He is mentioned ten times in the New Testament. His father was Alphaeus, and his mother was Mary, one of the women who went to Jesus’ tomb after His burial (Mark 15:40).

Lastly, there was James, the brother of Jesus, also known as “James the Just.” He wasn’t one of the original twelve apostles, but he played a vital role in the early Christian church. Here’s what we know about him:

• Relationship with Jesus: James was a brother of Jesus, according to the New Testament. There is disagreement about the exact relationship to Jesus. Some believe he was a biological brother of Jesus; others suggest he was a “half-brother” and a son of Joseph from his previous marriage²Some traditions and apocryphal texts suggest that Joseph may have been a widower with children from a previous marriage, but these are not considered canonical or authoritative., and some theologians even propose he was a cousin of Jesus.) Jesus appeared to his brother after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). This event is significant, and it is likely the key reason why James and his brother Jude (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55) became followers of Christ and wrote the letters bearing their names in the New Testament. Of course, Jude, Jesus’ brother, is not to be confused with Jude (also known as Thaddeus or Judas, son of James), one of the original Twelve Apostles. Thaddaeus’ father, James, is not one of the apostles named James (the son of Zebedee or the son of Alphaeus). The exact identity of this James is not clearly defined in the New Testament. And this Judas is not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus.
• Role in the Early Church: James was the first leader of the Jerusalem Church of the Apostolic Age. He was known for his outstanding virtue (Example: James the Just) and “James the brother of God“. He was appointed bishop by Saint Peter, James (the Greater), and John.
• Authorship: James is the author of the Book of James. The book is a practical guide to Christian living, emphasizing the importance of living out one’s faith through actions, and it offers wisdom for enduring hardships and living a fruitful life.
• Death: Traditionally, it is believed that he was martyred in AD 62 or 69 by being stoned to death by the Pharisees on the order of High Priest Ananus ben Ananus.

Conclusion

Getting to know the early apostles reminds us that they were all very normal, average people, just like us. When they encountered Jesus Christ, their lives changed forever! Each made unique contributions to building the Christian Church. As disciples of Jesus, His mission continues through us today. Once we encounter our Savior, our lives are changed forever! As we take the Gospel into our communities and world, that original mission, established so long ago, honors Jesus’ command to us:

(Mark 16:15–16)  “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

For 10 years, a group of men from my church reenacted Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday. Each of us dressed as apostles came out to the congregation and spoke about their life with Christ. The purpose was to evoke the same feelings the apostles may have experienced at the Last Supper with Jesus. Spending many hours in rehearsal and then production gave me a unique opportunity to sit at a table with Jesus and the other apostles and reflect on what their last night together with their Savior must have felt like. I still find myself reflecting on those times whenever I partake in communion today.

Contemplations

• What do you do to spread the Gospel?
  • Ideas to Explore: Share your faith freely. Attend discipline classes at your church. Spend time in contemplation with the Lord.
• Contemplation is the technique of placing yourself in a scene. It is a very effective way to spend time with God. Have you tried it?
  • Ideas to Explore: Take your personal experiences and use them to join Jesus in thought and prayer.
• Do you have a favorite apostle?
  • Ideas to Explore: Place yourself on a biblical journey to know the early apostles. Then make friends.