A In-Depth Look at the Men Jesus Chose to Carry On His Mission

David Dycus and Trey Westmoreland

Contrary to popular belief, we do not have to be perfect to do God's work. Look no further than the Apostles whose many weaknesses are forever preserved throughout the pages of the New Testament. Jesus chose ordinary men - fisherman, tax collectors, political zealots - and turned their weakness into strength, producing greatness from utter uselessness. We will examine the Bible, history, and tradition to determine who the men Jesus chose were to find principles for today's modern disciple – you.

Likely very different than most Bible classes you’ve ever attended

Challenging New understanding of many Bible stories

Sources Bible

John MacArthur’s “Twelve Ordinary Men”

Contemporary historical accounts

Traditions

Common Sense

We will always try to distinguish when we are talking from the Bible vs. any other source

Apostle – from Koine Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), meaning one who is sent forth as a messenger

Disciple - a student that learns from a teacher (Rabbi)

Acts 1:21-22 when a replacement is being chosen for Judas Iscariot

“21So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection”

Did this apply to all the Apostles?

Twelve Apostles

Matthias (Acts 1:21-26)

Paul (II Timothy 1:1)

Others? Barnabas (Acts 14:14)

Andronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7)

Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy (I Thess. 1:1 and 2:6)

Apollos (I Cor. 4:6,9)

Seventy (or 72) apostles (Luke 10:1)

Hippolytus of Rome - ~235 A.D.

Dorotheus of Tyre - ~362 A.D.

St. Dimitri of Rostov - ~1709 A.D.

James Mark Luke Cleopas Simeon Barnabas Justus

Thaddeus Ananias Stephen Philip Prochorus Nicanor Timon

Parmenas Timothy Titus Philemon Onesimus Epaphras Archippus

Silas Silvanus Crescens Crispus Epaenetus Andronicus Stachys

Aplias Urban Narcissus Apelles Aristobulus Herodian Agabus

Rufus Asyncritus Phlegon Hermas Patrobas Hermes Linus

Gaius Philologos Lucius Jason Sosipater Olympas Tertius

Erastus Quartus Evodus Onesiphorus Clement Sosthenes Apollo

Tychicus Epaphroditus Carpus Quadratus Mark Zenas Aristarchus

Pudens Trphimus John Mark Artemas Aquila Fortunatus Archaicus

Twelve Apostles

Matthias (Acts 1:21-22)

Paul (II Timothy 1:1)

Others?

Barnabas (Acts 14:14)

Andronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7)

Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy (I Thess. 1:1 and 2:6)

Apollos (I Cor. 4:6,9)

Seventy (or 72) apostles (Luke 10:1)

Jesus (Heb. 3:1)

Apostle describes Jesus’ original Twelve, Mathias, and Paul Luke 6:13 “chose twelve whom He also names apostles”

Acts 8:9-19 – pass miraculous gifts of Holy Spirit Philip (not the Apostle) converting Samaria

Peter and John sent down and prayed that they may receive the Holy Spirit

apostle describes “one who is sent forth as a messenger” Similar to the meaning we use today for missionary

False apostles – II Corinthians 11:13

This class will focus on the Apostles

Acts 1:13

Peter

James

John

Andrew

Philip

Thomas

Bartholomew

Matthew

James (of Alphaeus)

Simon Zelotes

Judas (of James)

Matthew 10:2-5

Simon (Peter)

Andrew

James

John

Philip

Bartholomew

Thomas

Matthew

James (son of Alphaeus)

Lebbaeus (Thaddeus)

Simon (Canaanite)

Judas Iscariot

Mark 3:16-19

Simon (Peter)

James

John

Andrew

Philip

Bartholomew

Matthew

Thomas

James (son of Alphaeus)

Thaddeus

Simon (Canaanite)

Judas Iscariot

Luke 6:14-16

Simon (Peter)

Andrew

James

John

Philip

Bartholomew

Matthew

Thomas

James (son of Alphaeus)

Simon (Zelotes)

Judas (of James)

Judas Iscariot

Many historians actually group the Apostles into subgroups of 4

We know Jesus has the “inner four”

Based on order listed in all writings

Natural groupings that make sense

Separate tax collector from the fishermen he collected on

Separates zealot from a tax collector

Keeps friends/family together

Matthew 10:2-5 Mark 3:16-19 Luke 6:14-16 Acts 1:13

Simon (Peter) Simon (Peter) Simon (Peter) Peter

Andrew James Andrew James

James John James John

John Andrew John Andrew

Matthew 10:2-5 Mark 3:16-19 Luke 6:14-16 Acts 1:13

Simon (Peter) Simon (Peter) Simon (Peter) Peter

Andrew James Andrew James

James John James John

John Andrew John Andrew

Philip Philip Philip Philip

Bartholomew Bartholomew Bartholomew Thomas

Thomas Matthew Matthew Bartholomew

Matthew Thomas Thomas Matthew

Matthew 10:2-5 Mark 3:16-19 Luke 6:14-16 Acts 1:13

Simon (Peter) Simon (Peter) Simon (Peter) Peter

Andrew James Andrew James

James John James John

John Andrew John Andrew

Philip Philip Philip Philip

Bartholomew Bartholomew Bartholomew Thomas

Thomas Matthew Matthew Bartholomew

Matthew Thomas Thomas Matthew

James (of Alphaeus) James (of Alphaeus) James (of Alphaeus) James (of Alphaeus)

Lebbaeus (Thaddeus) Thaddeus Simon (Zelotes) Simon Zelotes

Simon (Canaanite) Simon (Canaanite) Judas (of James) Judas (of James)

Judas Iscariot Judas Iscariot Judas Iscariot

Know that Jesus’ ministry was around 3 years Begins with baptism and ends with crucifixion Baptism recorded in Matt. 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, and Luke 3:21-

23

Jesus began gaining many disciples Luke’s gospel written most from historical standpoint After Jesus Baptism, we have:

Temptation of Jesus (4:1-13) Rejection in Nazareth (4:16-30) Public Ministry in Capernaum (4:31-44) Miracles performed (5:1-26, 6:6-11) Calling Matthew (5:27-32)

Then Commissioning of the Twelve Apostles does not occur until Luke 6:12-16

Most historians agree that this was about 18 months into Jesus’ Ministry

Disciples – people that were already following him

Not current day religious leaders Many do however appear to have been very religious

Variety of Backgrounds Fishermen

Tax Collector

At least one zealot and potentially an assassin

Possibly some family members

Some historians believe one of the Apostles was even of noble birth

Possibly sons of a Priest or relatives of the High Priest

Controversial Ministry from early on Hometown tried to kill him (Luke 4:28-30) Rejected by his own family (Mark 3:20-21)

Popular Ministry with the people “the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God.”

(Luke 5:1) “taught as one with authority” (Matt. 7:29)

Apostles misunderstood true meaning of Jesus’ ministry Power struggles Belief that they were going to overthrow the Roman occupation

Jews had a misunderstanding of the Messiah

Fully Committed Left jobs and family Went from running away from Jesus at the arrest and trial to

proudly proclaiming the Gospel at Pentecost Historical tradition tells us that all (except Judas Iscariot) remained

faithful to death with all except John being martyred

Soften their personalities

Fishermen and zealots

Peter cuts off Malchus’ ear

21st Century glasses

Messiah was not what the expected

Full revelation

Who were they? Name

Family

Profession

Job in Jesus’ Ministry

Bible Various levels of description

History tell us Life

Ministry

Death

Practical Applications

Week 1 – Introduction

Week 2 – Andrew

Week 3 – Peter

Week 4 – James

Week 5 – John

Week 6 – Philip

Week 7 – Thomas and Bartholomew

Week 8 – Matthew

Week 9 – James and Thaddeus

Week 10 – Simon and Matthias

Week 11 – Judas Iscariot

Week 12 – Paul

Week 13 - Review