Scripture References: Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 10:35; Luke 9:49; John 1:35, 2:9-10, 12:21-22; Acts 3:1-11; Revelation 1:9
Summary: Our look at the twelve apostles continues with the “inner circle,” or most notable in the Scriptures due to their words and work.
The list of the twelve ordinary men commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel always lists Simon Peter as the first due to his character, his devotion to Jesus, and his task of being the leader of the twelve and his role of both the pastor and teacher to the “sheep” and “lambs” that would become part of Christ’s flock. The next apostle listed is the exact opposite of Peter’s brash personality, and that person was his brother Andrew. He was quiet, inquisitive, and always seeking the spiritual life. He is also noted for bringing people to Jesus. He was a master of what would become personal or one-on-one evangelism.
The name Andrew means “manly” in Aramaic, which was the common language of the community around Galilee. In Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written, his name is translated as “Andreas.” He was a native of Galilee, specifically from the town of Bethsaida, and a fisherman like his brother. They were in a partnership with James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Andrew had originally been a disciple of John the Baptist. The Baptist introduced Jesus to the community (John 1:35) and told both Andrew and John to leave him and to follow Jesus instead. They ended up spending an entire day with the Lord (John 1:38). Andrew brought Peter to meet Jesus (John 1:42).
He brought the boy who had loaves and fish to Jesus, who used them to feed 5,000 or more men, women, and children, a miracle that is recorded in all four gospels (John 6:8-9). He also brought Greek inquirers to meet Jesus (John 12: 21-22). He was one of the apostles who asked Jesus about the end times (Mark 13: 31). Andrew was later martyred for his preaching about Jesus. Traction tells us he witnessed to the wife of a Roman official, who ordered to have him whipped and nailed to an “X” shaped cross. For three days while slowly dying, he pleaded with anyone who passed by to come to Christ for salvation. Andrew would become the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia.
The next apostle listed is James. He is the brother of John, not to be confused with James, the half-brother of Jesus, the author of the letter that bears his name. He became pastor of the church at Jerusalem. James, the brother of John, was known for his fiery temperament and nicknamed “the son of thunder.” He was called by Jesus while working with his father Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:14; Luke 5:10). He was an eyewitness to the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28). He also witnessed the daughter of Jairus raised to life by Jesus (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51) and was in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Lord on the night of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33).
After the resurrection of Jesus, his temper and animosity toward those who opposed Jesus gave way to becoming a dedicated preacher of the Gospel and a soul winner (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8-11, 2:1-4). Tradition states that he traveled to Spain to preach the Gospel as well as in Judaea and Samaria. He was put to death by Herod Agrippa in AD 44. He was the first apostle to die a martyr. The “son of thunder” became a saint of God.
The last member of the apostolic “inner circle” was John. He would write five books of the New Testament. This includes his Gospel, three letters, and Revelation. He played a major role in the first-century church, bringing the Gospel to Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), and served as pastor of the church of Ephesus, which had been founded by the apostle Paul.
John’s writings put an emphasis upon love, specifically a Christian’s love for Christ, Christ’s love for the church, and love for one another. In his early years, he had been a disciple of John the Baptist like Andrew (John 1). He was called from his father’s fishing business by Jesus soon afterward (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:18). Like his brother James, he was also known as a “son of thunder” and at times demonstrated pettiness and vindictiveness toward anyone outside of the twelve (Mark 9: 38-41; Luke9: 49-50, 54-56).
In his later ministry with Jesus, he was an eyewitness to the raising of Jairus’ daughter and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37, 9:2: Luke. 8:51, 9:28). He also learned humbling lessons about true greatness (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45). As Jesus ministered and demonstrated His love not only to His people but to the Gentiles (non-Jewish) (John 4; Matthew 15:21–28; Mark 7:24-30), John learned to love others as well, and he and Jesus forged a bond of devotion that is found throughout his Gospel.
In the later ministry with Jesus, he was at the Last Supper (John 13: 23), cared for Jesus’ mother (John 19:25-27), and was an eyewitness to the empty tomb (20: 2, 8). His life and work became a living testimony to the early church and believers throughout history (21:20-25). He was active in the development and leadership of the first-century church, as recorded in the book of Acts, and in his later years, even when he was sent to the island of Patmos as a punishment from Rome for preaching about Jesus (Revelation 1:1, 9). He was the only apostle to die a “natural” death. He died of old age in Ephesus around 98 AD. With his death, the apostolic era came to an end. The Canon of Scripture was completed, and the full record of God’s actions and words was established forever.
The next group of apostles is not as prominent in the New Testament, but they were chosen by the Lord Jesus to accomplish His will and carry on His mission. That is in itself an honor. We are the heirs of that honor as He still commands us to go and preach the Gospel to every living creature until He returns. Our study of the other apostles and their work will continue in the next message.