THE APOSTLES Lesson 4 The Lesser Known Apostles

THE APOSTLES Lesson 4 The Lesser Known Apostles

The Apostles We Know Very Little About

1. BARTHOLOMEW – Only appears when the apostles are listed out (Mt. 10: 2 -4; Mk. 3: 16 -19; Lk. 6: 14 -16; Acts 1: 13) in which case, all we really know about him is that he was one of the apostles. However, it is widely held that Bartholomew is another name for Nathanael (John 1: 45 -51) - Bartholomew and Nathanael the same person? - Bartholomew is likely a relationship name and not a first name (similar to Simon Barjonas) - Bartholomew is mentioned in Matthew, Mark and Luke but is not mentioned in John. Nathanael is mentioned in John and not Matthew, Mark, or Luke. - Nathanael is at the beginning of Jesus ministry and witness of the resurrection but is not mentioned in Acts 1.

1. BARTHOLOMEW – Only appears when the apostles are listed out (Mt. 10: 2 -4; Mk. 3: 16 -19; Lk. 6: 14 -16; Acts 1: 13) in which case, all we really know about him is that he was one of the apostles. However, it is widely held that Bartholomew is another name for Nathanael (John 1: 45 -51; 21: 1 -2) - Did not hold Nazareth in high regard (John 1: 46… 7: 4142, 52) - An Israelite (John 1: 47) - No deceit in him (John 1: 47) – High praise! - Was quick to believe in Jesus as being a teacher, the Son of God and king of Israel(John 1: 49) - His home was Cana (John 21: 2) where Jesus performed His first miracle (John 2: 1 -11) - He was still with the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection (John 21: 1 -2)

2. JAMES THE SON OF ALPHAEUS – Like Bartholomew, his name only definitively shows up in the apostle lists (Mt. 10: 2 -4; Mk. 3: 16 -19; Lk. 6: 14 -16; Acts 1: 13). However, what might we learn about him from Mk. 2: 14. He may also be the same James mentioned in Mk. 15: 40; 16: 1; Lk. 24: 10, but James was not an uncommon name. • Potentially the brother of Matthew (Mk. 2: 14; 3: 18) • Possibly known as James the Less (Mk. 15: 40) • We know practically nothing about James.

3. THADDAEUS – When comparing the lists of apostles (Mt. 10: 3; Mk. 3: 18; Lk. 6: 14 -16; Acts 1: 13) what other name can we conclude Thaddaeus was known by? (see also John 14: 22) • Thaddeus (Mt. 10: 3; Mk. 3: 18) = Judas the son of James (Lk. 6: 16; Acts 1: 13) • Labbaeus whose surname is Thaddaeus (Mt. 10: 3, KJV) • Good reason for a name change (John 14: 22) • John 14: 22 – He asked Jesus what had changed that He was no longer going to disclose Himself to the world but only to the apostles

4. SIMON THE ZEALOT (Mt. 10: 4; Mk. 3: 18; Lk. 6: 15; Acts 1: 13). We have to be careful with Simon; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. • Canaanian (Mt. 10: 4; Mk. 3: 18) – or from Cana • Zealot (Lk. 6: 15; Acts 1: 13)

JEWISH FACTIONS • Sadducees – Loved their position of wealth and power from the Roman empire. They focused on pleasing the Romans to prevent losing their position. • Pharisees – Believed the Romans were punishment from God and that if they focused on repentance and pleasing God that they would be set free. • Zealots – Saw the Romans as horrible defilers. They felt it was up to them to serve God be conquering their oppressors. They would kill political figures and use any means necessary to free the people.

4. SIMON THE ZEALOT (Mt. 10: 4; Mk. 3: 18; Lk. 6: 15; Acts 1: 13). We have to be careful with Simon; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. • Why would Simon join Jesus? It makes sense if he thought Jesus was the messianic king who would conquer Rome. • Imagine how difficult it was to stay with Jesus • Jesus did not oppose paying taxes to Caesar (Mt. 22: 15 -22) • Jesus picked a tax-collector to be an apostle (Mt. 10: 3). Matthew gets mentioned earlier on the lists, too! • The Holy Spirit taught that the disciples needed to submit to governments, pay taxes and honor the king (Rom. 13: 1 -7; I Pet. 2: 13 -17) • What does it tell you that Simon the Zealot stayed an apostle?

5. MATTHIAS – Acts 1: 22 -26 Think about the qualifications that he met. How many others met those requirements? What does that tell you about Matthias? Tougher question – Matthias is chosen in an unusual way (casting of lots). Was he actually picked by God to be an apostle? • Matthias was chosen by God • The apostles prayed for God’s choice and we know that God listens to the apostles. • Evidence on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 14) • Later evidence that there were 12 apostles again (Acts 6: 2)

5. MATTHIAS – Acts 1: 22 -26 Think about the qualifications that he met. How many others met those requirements? What does that tell you about Matthias? Tougher question – Matthias is chosen in an unusual way (casting of lots). Was he actually picked by God to be an apostle? • Only two men met the qualifications of having been a follower of Jesus from the baptism of John until being a witness of His resurrection. (Not counting the 11 remaining apostles) • 13 of 120 people gathered met this qualification (Acts 1: 15) • 13 of over 500 people met this qualification (I Cor. 15: 6)

5. MATTHIAS – Acts 1: 22 -26 Think about the qualifications that he met. How many others met those requirements? What does that tell you about Matthias? Tougher question – Matthias is chosen in an unusual way (casting of lots). Was he actually picked by God to be an apostle? • What did the apostles frequently argue with among themselves (Mt. 18: 1; 20: 20 -24; Mk. 9: 34; Lk. 9: 46 -48)? • How would Matthias have fared in those discussions? • Human nature would have made it easy for Matthias to compare himself to those Jesus chose. One was a thief / betrayer. One was a zealot. One was a tax collector. Others were fishermen. Surely he could have viewed himself as better than them. • But what did Matthias keep doing anyway?

The Apostles We Know A Little More About

6. PHILIP – (John 1: 43 -51; 6: 5 -7; 12: 20 -23; 14: 8 -10; Acts 1: 13) – We have to be careful with Philip; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. • From Bethsaida (John 12: 21) home of Peter and Andrew. • Always mentioned as the 5 th apostle • Not to be confused with the other Philips (Acts 6: 5; Mk. 6: 17; Lk. 3: 1)

6. PHILIP – (John 1: 43 -51; 6: 5 -7; 12: 20 -23; 14: 8 -10; Acts 1: 13) – We have to be careful with Philip; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. • John 1: 43 -51 – Found and invited Nathanael. He believed Jesus was from Nazareth, son of Joseph, and the person whom Moses and the prophets wrote about • John 6: 5 -7 – Tested by Jesus at the feeding of the 5, 000 • John 12: 20 -23 – Greeks find Philip goes to Andrew. • John 14: 8 -10 – Just show us the Father. That will be enough for us.

7. ANDREW – (Mt. 4: 18 -22; Mk. 1: 1620; 13: 3 -4; Lk. 5: 1 -11; 16: 17; John 1: 3542, 44; 6: 4 -9; 12: 20 -22) • Has a Greek name • Name means “manly” • Peter’s brother (John 1: 41) • Son of Jonas or John (Mt. 16: 17; John 1: 42; 21: 1517) • Lived in the same house with Peter in Bethsaida (Mk. 1: 29; John 1: 44) along with Peter’s mother-inlaw?

7. ANDREW – (Mt. 4: 18 -22; Mk. 1: 1620; 13: 3 -4; Lk. 5: 1 -11; 16: 17; John 1: 3542, 44; 6: 4 -9; 12: 20 -22) • John 1: 35 -42 – A disciple of John who finds Peter and brings him to Jesus • Mt. 4: 18 -22; Mk. 1: 16 -18; Lk. 5: 1 -11 – A fishermen and partner to James and John. He left everything to follow Jesus. • John 6: 4 -9 – Notices what food was available at the feeding of the 5, 000. But he lacked faith. • Mark 13: 3 -4 – Part of the small group that asks Jesus about the destruction of the temple • John 12: 20 -22 – Approaches Jesus about the Greeks wanting to see Him.

8. JAMES – (Mt. 4: 21 -22; 10: 2; 17: 1 -8; 27: 56; Mk. 1: 19 -20, 29; 3: 16 -17; 5: 37; 9: 2; 10: 35 -41; 13: 3 -4; 14: 32 -35; Lk. 5: 9 -10; 6: 14; 8: 51; 9: 28, 51 -56; John 21: 1 -8; Acts 1: 13; 12: 1 -3) – We have to be careful with James; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. One of three closest disciples (Mk. 5: 37; 9: 2; etc. ) Brother of John (or is he John’s brother? ) John never mentions James in his gospel Father’s name is Zebedee (Mk. 1: 19) Called Son of Thunder / Boanerges (Mk. 3: 17) A fisherman along with his dad and brother. Partnered with Peter and Andrew (Mk. 1: 20; Lk. 5: 11) • Probably pretty young when called by Jesus • • •

8. JAMES – (Mt. 4: 21 -22; 10: 2; 17: 1 -8; 27: 56; Mk. 1: 19 -20, 29; 3: 16 -17; 5: 37; 9: 2; 10: 35 -41; 13: 3 -4; 14: 32 -35; Lk. 5: 9 -10; 6: 14; 8: 51; 9: 28, 51 -56; John 21: 1 -8; Acts 1: 13; 12: 1 -3) – We have to be careful with James; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. • Mt. 4: 21 -22; Mk. 1: 19 -20; Lk. 5: 1 -11 – Called to be a fisher of men. Leaves everything, including his father. • Mk. 5: 37; Lk. 8: 51 – Selected to be with Jesus at Jairus’ house • Mt. 17: 18; Mk. 9: 2; Lk. 9: 28 – Selected to be with Jesus at mount of transfiguration • Lk. 9: 51 -56 – Want to call fire from heaven on the disrespecting Samaritans

8. JAMES – (Mt. 4: 21 -22; 10: 2; 17: 1 -8; 27: 56; Mk. 1: 19 -20, 29; 3: 16 -17; 5: 37; 9: 2; 10: 35 -41; 13: 3 -4; 14: 32 -35; Lk. 5: 9 -10; 6: 14; 8: 51; 9: 28, 51 -56; John 21: 1 -8; Acts 1: 13; 12: 1 -3) – We have to be careful with James; more than one person has that name in the New Testament. • Mk 10: 35 -41; Mt. 20: 20 -28 – Asked to be at Jesus’ right hand. But could they drink the cup? • Mark 13: 3 -4 – Part of the group that asks Jesus about the destruction of the temple • Matthew 27: 56 – His mother was following Jesus and had been ministering to him this whole time • John 21: 1 -8 – Fishing again after the resurrection • Acts 12: 1 -3 – The first apostle to be martyred

NOTEWORTHY LESSONS • Simon the Zealot – betraying what is so close to you that it is a part of your name • Matthias – being one of the very few who follow Jesus even when not chosen by Jesus and not promised a great position of honor • Andrew – the impact we can have by just inviting one person • James – Ultimate commitment. Leave everything. Give your life in the end.