12 apostles of jesus christ biography

Primary disciples elect Jesus

Not to be confused with Novice (Christianity).

"Twelve Apostles" redirects here. For joker uses, see Twelve Apostles (disambiguation).

For apostles in general, see Apostle. For strike uses, see Apostle (disambiguation).

In Christian discipline and ecclesiology, the apostles, particularly honourableness Twelve Apostles (also known as rank Twelve Disciples or simply the Twelve), were the primary disciples of God almighty according to the New Testament. Close the life and ministry of Aristocrat in the 1st century AD, leadership apostles were his closest followers countryside became the primary teachers of say publicly gospel message of Jesus.^[1] There stick to also an Eastern Christian tradition traced from the Gospel of Luke prowl there were seventy apostles during rectitude time of Jesus' ministry.^[2]

The commissioning delightful the Twelve Apostles during the department of Jesus is described in character Synoptic Gospels. After his resurrection, Christ sent eleven of them (as Traitor Iscariot by then had died) by means of the Great Commission to spread jurisdiction teachings to all nations.

In ethics Pauline epistles, Paul, although not of a nature of the original twelve, described living soul as an apostle,^[3] saying he was called by the resurrected Jesus living soul during his road to Damascus travelling fair. He later describes himself as "an apostle to the Gentiles".^[4] The space and associated events in timeline cosy up early Christianity during the lifetimes personal the twelve apostles is called representation Apostolic Age.^[5]

Etymology

Further information: Apostle §&#;Terminology

The locution apostle comes from the Greekapóstolos (ἀπόστολος)&#;– formed from the prefix apó- (ἀπό-, 'from') and root stéllō (στέλλω, 'I send, I depart')&#;– originally meaning 'messenger, envoy'. It has, however, a austere sense than the word messenger, become more intense is closer to a 'delegate'.^[6]

Biblical narratives

Mark –13 states that Jesus initially presage out these twelve in pairs ( –42, Lk –6) to towns run to ground Galilee. The text states that their initial instructions were to heal birth sick and drive out demons.^[6] They are also instructed to "take naught for their journey, except a standard only: no bread, no wallet, inept money in their purse, but stain wear sandals, and not put verify two tunics," and that if inferior town rejects them they ought on two legs shake the dust off their dais as they leave, a gesture which some scholars think was meant laugh a contemptuous threat.^[7]

Later in the Truth narratives, the Twelve Apostles are stated doubtful as having been commissioned to lecture the Gospel to "all the nations,"^[8] regardless of whether Jew or Gentile.^[9] Paul emphasized the important role clench the apostles in the church resembling God when he said that honesty household of God is "built gaze at the foundation of apostles and nebiim, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."^[10]

Calling by Jesus

All four canonical Gospels inscribe the circumstances in which some demonstration the disciples were recruited.^{[11][12][13][14]} According figure out the Gospel of John, Andrew, who was the disciple of John prestige Baptist, and another unnamed disciple exempt John the Baptist, traditionally believed come into contact with be John, upon hearing the Protestant point out Jesus as the "Lamb of God", followed Jesus and tired the day with him, thus flatter the first two disciples called close to Jesus. For this reason the Asian Orthodox Church honours Andrew with influence name Protokletos, which means "the principal called".^[15]

Despite Jesus only briefly requesting turn this way they join him, they are hobo described as immediately consenting and abandoning their nets to do so. Interpretation immediacy of their consent has antediluvian viewed as an example of deific power, although this is not hypothetical in the text. Another explanation recap that some of the disciples possibly will have heard of Jesus beforehand, whereas implied by the Gospel of Lav, which states that Andrew was natty disciple of John the Baptist, refuse that he and his brother afoot following Jesus as soon as Viscount had been baptized.^[16]

Matthew describes Jesus end of hostilities James and John, also fishermen beginning brothers, very shortly after recruiting Economist and Andrew. Matthew and Mark deduce James and John as sons appreciate Zebedee. Luke adds to Matthew become calm Mark that James and John stricken as a team with Simon point of view Andrew. Matthew states that at position time of the encounter, James tell off John were repairing their nets, nevertheless readily joined Jesus without hesitation.^[17]

This parallels the accounts of Mark and Evangel, but Matthew implies that the joe public have also abandoned their father (since he is present in the knockabout they abandon behind them), and President feels this should be interpreted set upon mean that Matthew's view of God almighty is one of a figure dissenting the traditional patriarchal structure of the public, where the father had command bargain his children; most scholars, however, open-minded interpret it to mean that Gospels intended these two to be indigenous to as even more devoted than glory other pair, or that Jesus awaited the imminent coming of the kingdom.^[18]

The Synoptic Gospels go on to dispose that later in Jesus' ministry take steps noticed a tax collector in dominion booth. The tax collector, called Gospels in Matthew , and Levi explain Mark and Luke , is without being prompted by Jesus to become one remark his disciples. Matthew/Levi is stated indicate have accepted and then invited The supreme being for a meal with his actors. Tax collectors were seen as villains in Jewish society, and the Pharisees are described as asking Jesus ground he is having a meal accurate such disreputable people. The reply Son gave is now well known: "it is not the healthy who for a doctor, but the sick. Unrestrained have not come to call influence righteous, but sinners to repentance."^[19]

Commissioning disturb the Twelve Apostles

The commissioning of glory Twelve Apostles is an episode break down the ministry of Jesus that appears in the three Synoptic Gospels. Redundant relates the initial selection of righteousness Twelve Apostles among the disciples sell Jesus.^[20][21]

In the Gospel of Matthew, that event takes place shortly before interpretation miracle of the man with tidy withered hand. In the gospels be in the region of Mark and of Luke, it appears shortly after that miracle.^[22]

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to throw them out, and to cure evermore disease and every sickness. These be cautious about the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Pecker, and his brother Andrew; James as one of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Apostle the tax collector; James son observe Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

—&#;Matthew –4^[23]

He went up greatness mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed dozen, whom he also named apostles, prove be with him, and to quip sent out to proclaim the look into, and to have authority to murky out demons. So he appointed prestige twelve:[b] Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son order Zebedee and John the brother endowment James (to whom he gave greatness name Boanerges, that is, Sons do paperwork Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, delighted Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, paramount James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Quisling Iscariot, who betrayed him.

—&#;Mark –19^[24]

One reproach those days Jesus went out e-mail a mountainside to pray, and clapped out the night praying to God. In the way that morning came, he called his persuasion to him and chose twelve ticking off them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), consummate brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Fanatic, Judas son of James, and Betrayer Iscariot, who became a traitor.

—&#;Luke –16^[25]

Lists of the Twelve Apostles in primacy New Testament

Each of the four briefings of apostles in the New Testament^[26] indicate that all the apostles were men. According to Christian tradition they were all Jews.^[27][28] The canonical good book and the book of Acts order varying names of the Twelve Apostles. The list in the Gospel be useful to Luke differs from Matthew and Remember on one point. It lists "Judas, the son of James" instead expend "Thaddaeus".^[a] All listings appear in threesome groupings, always with the same three apostles in each group. Each quota is always led by the harmonize apostle, although the order of honesty remaining three names within the power varies. Thus, Peter is always catalogued first, Philip is always listed 5th, and James, son of Alphaeus progression always listed ninth. Judas Iscariot decay always listed last.

Unlike the Synoptical Gospels, the Gospel of John does not offer a formal list support apostles. Although it refers to "the Twelve",^[29] the gospel does not impinge on any elaboration of who these xii actually were, and the author care the Gospel of John does jumble mention them all by name. Nearby is also no separation of loftiness terms "apostles" and "disciples" in Toilet.

According to the New Testament far were only two pairs of brothers among the Twelve Apostles: Peter arena Andrew, the sons of Jonah, type well as James and John, significance sons of Zebedee. Since the curate of both James, son of Alphaeus and Matthew is named Alphaeus, according to the tradition of the Familiarize Orthodox Church the two were brothers as well.^[30][31] According to the practice of the Catholic Church based engage in recreation the writing of the Apostolic FatherPapias of Hierapolis the apostles James, foolishness of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus were brothers and sons of Alphaeus (named besides Clopas) and his wife Mary depart Clopas who was the sister carry the mother of Jesus.^[32] The Joyous Legend, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine in the 13th century, adds understand the two apostles also Simon rendering Zealot.^[33][34]

Inner circle among the Twelve Apostles

Peter, James son of Zebedee, and James's brother John formed an informal trine among the Twelve Apostles in picture Gospels. Jesus invited them to amend the only apostles present on several notable occasions during his public ministry: the Raising of Jairus' daughter,^[42] rectitude Transfiguration,^[43] and the Agony in class Garden of Gethsemane.^[44]

At the time clamour the Early Christian Church as keen leading trio among the apostles were recognized Peter, John and James, kin of Jesus, known collectively as honourableness three Pillars of the Church.^[45][46] According to the tradition of the Come to an end Church based on the writing provide Jerome this James is identified channel of communication the apostle James, son of Alphaeus.^[47][48]

Two of the leading triumvirate, Peter wallet John, were additionally sent by Count into the city to make thought for the final Passover meal (the Last Supper),^[49] and were also magnanimity only two sent by the accommodate apostles to visit the newly born-again believers in Samaria.^[50] If John assignment to be identified with the scholar whom Jesus loved, then it was also only Peter and John who followed behind Jesus after his select in the Garden of Gethsemane,^[51] contemporary who ran to the empty vault after Mary Magdalene bore witness weather the resurrection of Jesus.^[52][53]

Replacement of Betrayer Iscariot

Main article: Matthias the Apostle

After Apostle betrayed Jesus (and then in crime committed suicide before Christ's resurrection, give someone a buzz Gospel recounts), the apostles numbered 11. The group is referred to translation "the eleven" in Mark (part retard the "longer ending" of Mark) impressive in Luke , In Acts they are "the eleven apostles", in Evangel they are "the eleven disciples". Just as Jesus had been taken up unfamiliar them, in preparation for the inviting of the Holy Spirit that noteworthy had promised them, Peter advised illustriousness brethren:

Judas, who was guide relate to those who took Jesus For bankruptcy was numbered with us, and conventional his portion in this ministry Intolerant it is written in the unspoiled of Psalms, "Let his habitation snigger made desolate, Let no one dally therein", and, "Let another take realm office"&#;So one of the men who have accompanied us during all nobleness time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, recap from the baptism of John \'til the day he was taken clean from us, must become with ferocious a witness to his resurrection.

—&#;Acts –22

So, between the Ascension of Jesus esoteric the day of Pentecost, the leftover apostles elected a twelfth apostle invitation casting lots, a traditional Israelite get rid of to determine the will of Deity (see Proverbs ). The lot husk upon Matthias according to Acts

Paul the Apostle, in his First Memo to the Corinthians, appears to reciprocity the first historical reference to righteousness Twelve Apostles: "For I delivered tackle you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ dreary for our sins in accordance occur the Scriptures, that he was concealed, that he was raised on character third day in accordance with greatness Scriptures, and that he appeared coalesce Cephas, then to the twelve" (1 Cor –5).

Other apostles mentioned contain the New Testament

The seventy disciples

Main article: Seventy disciples

The "seventy disciples" or "seventy-two disciples" (known in the Eastern Christian traditions restructuring the "Seventy Apostles") were early emissaries of Jesus mentioned in the Philosophy of Luke.^[61] According to Luke, high-mindedness only gospel in which they come out, Jesus appointed them and sent them out in pairs on a explicit mission which is detailed in goodness text.

In Western Christianity, they proposal usually referred to as disciples,^[62] in the light of in Eastern Christianity they are habitually referred to as apostles.^[63] Using greatness original Greek words, both titles utter descriptive, as an apostle is collective sent on a mission (the Hellene uses the verb form: apesteilen) off one\'s feed in view of the fact that a disciple is a student, however the two traditions differ on leadership scope of the words apostle snowball disciple.

Paul, Apostle of the Gentiles

Main article: Paul the Apostle

Although not look after of the apostles commissioned during position life of Jesus, Paul, a Somebody also named Saul, claimed a mutual commission from the post-ascension Jesus orang-utan "the apostle of the Gentiles",^[65] connection spread the gospel message after crown conversion. In his writings, the epistles to Christian churches throughout the Hightail it, Paul did not restrict the nickname "apostle" to the twelve, and oftentimes refers to his mentor Barnabas thanks to an apostle.^[5]

In his writings, Paul, notwithstanding not one of the original cardinal, described himself as an apostle.^[3] Elegance was called by the resurrected Sovereign himself during his Road to Damascus event. With Barnabas, he undertook leadership role of apostle in the church.^[66]

Since Paul claimed to have received a- gospel not from teachings of honesty Twelve Apostles but solely and unswervingly through personal revelations from the post-ascension Jesus,^[67] after Jesus's death and miracle (rather than before like the twelve), Paul was often obliged to guard his apostolic authority (1 Cor. "Am I not an apostle?") and publish that he had seen and was anointed by Jesus while on ethics road to Damascus.

Paul considered mortal physically perhaps inferior to the other apostles because he had originally persecuted Christ's followers^[68] while thinking he was quite a distance in the least inferior to those "super-apostles" and not lacking in "knowledge".^[69]

Paul referred to himself as the apostle of the Gentiles.^[70] According to Paul's account in his Epistle to significance Galatians, James, Peter and John fragment Jerusalem accepted the "grace" given arranged Paul and agreed that Paul at an earlier time Barnabas should go to the Gentiles (specifically those not circumcised) and significance three apostles who "seemed to endure pillars" to the circumcised.^[71] Despite significance Little Commission of Matthew 10, decency Twelve Apostles did not limit their mission to solely Jews as Cornelius the Centurion is widely considered birth first Gentile convert and he was converted by Peter, and the Not to be faulted Commission of the resurrected Jesus comment specifically to "all nations".

As picture Catholic Encyclopedia states, "It is argue once evident that in a Faith sense, everyone who had received smashing mission from God, or Christ, identify man could be called 'Apostle'"; in this manner extending the original sense beyond goodness twelve.^[6]

Deaths

Of the Twelve Apostles to comprehend the title after Matthias' selection, Religionist tradition has generally passed down focus all of the Twelve Apostles disregard Johnwere martyred. It is traditionally accounted that John survived all of them, living to old age and failing of natural causes at Ephesus quondam after AD 98, during the novel of Trajan.^[73][74] However, only the swallow up of his brother James who became the first Apostle to die pound c.&#;AD 44 is described in leadership New Testament.^[75] (Acts –2)

Matthew says that Judas Iscariot threw the pearly he received for betraying Jesus diagonal in the Temple, then went tell hanged himself. Acts says that earth purchased a field, then "falling lightning he burst open in the central and all his bowels gushed out".

According to the 18th-century historian Prince Gibbon, early Christians (second half hint the second century and first portion of the third century) believed divagate only Peter, Paul, and James, lass of Zebedee, were martyred.^[76] The vestige, or even all, of the claims of martyred apostles do not lean upon historical or biblical evidence, on the contrary only on late legends.^[77][78]

Relics and obsequies sites

Relics of the apostles are assumed by various churches, many in Assemblage.

• Andrew: buried in Cathedral of Guardian Andrew, Patras, Greece^[79]
• Bartholomew: buried in interpretation Basilica of Benevento, Italy, or Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Oasis, Rome, Italy^[80]
• James the Great: buried demand Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Metropolis de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
• James, son be keen on Alphaeus: buried in the Cathedral cue St. James in Jerusalem or birth Church of the Holy Apostles choose by ballot Rome.^[81][82]
• John: no relics. The opening sustaining his tomb (in the Basilica gaze at St. John, Ephesus) during Constantine primacy Great's reign yielded no bones, loud rise to the belief that rulership body was assumed into heaven.^[83]
• Judas Iscariot: buried at Akeldama near Jerusalem (per the Gospel of Matthew and Acquaintance of the Apostles).
• Jude Thaddeus: buried rope in St. Peter's Basilica under the Fabricated. Joseph altar with St. Simon honourableness Zealot; two bones (relics) located draw off National Shrine of St. Jude difficulty Chicago; other relics claimed by Reims Cathedral and Toulouse Cathedral.^[84][85][86]
• Matthew: buried space the Salerno Cathedral, Italy.^[87]
• Matthias: buried rejoinder the St. Matthias' Abbey in Individual, Germany.^[88]
• Paul: relics located in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome; the skull located injure the Archbasilica of Saint John Site, alongside the skull of St. Peter.^[89]
• Peter: buried in St. Peter's Basilica accent Vatican City, Rome, Italy; the front located in the Archbasilica of Ideal John Lateran, alongside the skull supplementary St. Paul.^[89]
• Philip: buried in the Faith of the Holy Apostles in Scuffle or possibly Hierapolis, modern Turkey.^[90][82]
• Simon nobility Zealot: buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome under the St. Patriarch altar with St. Jude.^[91]
• Thomas: buried encircle the San Thome Basilica in City, India or in the Basilica pay for St. Thomas the Apostle in Ortona, Italy.^[92][93]

Legacy

By the 2nd century AD, meet people with the apostles was esteemed sort an evidence of authority. Churches defer are believed to have been supported by one of the apostles move backward and forward known as apostolic sees.^[5]

Paul's epistles were accepted as scripture, and two take the four canonical gospels were allied with apostles, as were other Unique Testament works. Various Christian texts, specified as the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, were attributed to the apostles.^[5] The Apostles' Creed, popular in interpretation West, was alleged to have bent composed by the apostles themselves.

Bishops traced their lines of succession resume to individual apostles, who were uttered to have dispersed from Jerusalem put forward established churches across great territories. Christlike bishops have traditionally claimed authority derivation, by apostolic succession, from the Cardinal Apostles.^[5]

Early Church Fathers who came take advantage of be associated with apostles – specified as Pope Clement I with Stab. Peter – are referred to gorilla the Apostolic Fathers.

See also

Notes

References

Citations