Step 1
Review Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19 and highlight the names of the original Twelve Apostles. Look up the names of three Apostles in the Bible Dictionary and write one sentence describing something you learned about each one you selected.
Review Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19 and highlight the names of the original Twelve Apostles. Look up the names of three Apostles in the Bible Dictionary and write one sentence describing something you learned about each one you selected.
----- Bible Dictionary Results -----
Simon (Peter) – means the “brother” of Jesus.
Andrew – The “Brother of Simon Peter. As a disciple of John the Baptist he met Jesus and then brought Peter to meet Jesus. He was one of the earliest called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
James (son of Zebedee – Boanerges, the sons of thunder) – “An English form of the Hebrew name Jacob. … [He] was one of the inner circle of three chosen to be with our Lord on certain special occasions: at the raising of the daughter of Jarius; at the Transfiguration; and at Gethsemane. He was beheaded by Herod.”
John (Boanerges, the sons of thunder) – Brother of James listed above. “In his early life he was a fisherman in fairly comfortable circumstances. We may assume he is the unnamed disciple of the Baptist mentioned in John 1:40. …. He was one of the inner circle of three who were with the Lord at the raising of Jairus’s daughter, at the Transfiguration, and in Gethsemane. In his own Gospel he refers to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ and that ‘other disciple’. … Other incidents that reveal his character are recorded in Mark 9:38; 10:35-40. There are frequent references to him in the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection. … John in mentioned frequently in latter-day revelation… [This serves] to confirm and to clairify the biblical record of John and also give us a hint as to his greatness and the importance of the work the Lord has given him to do on the earth, not only in the time of the N.T., but also in the last days. … John did not die, but has been allowed to remain on the earth as a ministering servant until the time of the Lord’s second coming.”
Philip – “Lover of horses. [An] apostle; formerly of Bethsaida.”
Bartholomew – “One of the twelve.”
Thomas – “One of the twelve. The name means a twin, and so it is translated in John 11:16 by the Greek Didymus.”
Matthew – “Gift of God. Known before his conversion as Levi, son of Alphaeus. He was a tax gatherer at Capernaum, probably in the service of Herod Antipas, in whose tetrarchy Capernaum was. Soon after his call he gave a feast to his old associated at which the Lord was present, and was in consequence blamed by the Pharisees. Matthew was probably a thorough Jew with a wide knowledge of the O.T. scriptures, and able to see in every detail of the Lord’s life the fulfillment of prophecy. His Gospel was written for the use of Jewish persons in Palestine, and uses many quotations from the O.T. His chief object is to show that Jesus is the Messiah of whom the prophets spoke. He also emphasizes that Jesus is the King and Judge of men. His Gospel was probably written in Aramaic, but is known to us by a Greek translation. Of the apostle’s later life litter is known for certain. A tradition asserts that he died a martyr’s death.”
James (son of Alphaeus) – “An English form of the Hebrew name Jacob.”
Lebbaeus (Thaddaeus) – “Lebbaeus, whocse surname was Thaddaeus.”
Simon (the Canaanite) – means the “brother” of Jesus
Judas Iscariot (the betrayer) – “Belonging to Kerioth in the tribe of Judah, one of ‘the twelve,’ and the only one who was not a Galilean.”
----- End Bible Dictionary Results -----
Simon (Peter) – means the “brother” of Jesus.
Andrew – The “Brother of Simon Peter. As a disciple of John the Baptist he met Jesus and then brought Peter to meet Jesus. He was one of the earliest called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
James (son of Zebedee – Boanerges, the sons of thunder) – “An English form of the Hebrew name Jacob. … [He] was one of the inner circle of three chosen to be with our Lord on certain special occasions: at the raising of the daughter of Jarius; at the Transfiguration; and at Gethsemane. He was beheaded by Herod.”
John (Boanerges, the sons of thunder) – Brother of James listed above. “In his early life he was a fisherman in fairly comfortable circumstances. We may assume he is the unnamed disciple of the Baptist mentioned in John 1:40. …. He was one of the inner circle of three who were with the Lord at the raising of Jairus’s daughter, at the Transfiguration, and in Gethsemane. In his own Gospel he refers to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ and that ‘other disciple’. … Other incidents that reveal his character are recorded in Mark 9:38; 10:35-40. There are frequent references to him in the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection. … John in mentioned frequently in latter-day revelation… [This serves] to confirm and to clairify the biblical record of John and also give us a hint as to his greatness and the importance of the work the Lord has given him to do on the earth, not only in the time of the N.T., but also in the last days. … John did not die, but has been allowed to remain on the earth as a ministering servant until the time of the Lord’s second coming.”
Philip – “Lover of horses. [An] apostle; formerly of Bethsaida.”
Bartholomew – “One of the twelve.”
Thomas – “One of the twelve. The name means a twin, and so it is translated in John 11:16 by the Greek Didymus.”
Matthew – “Gift of God. Known before his conversion as Levi, son of Alphaeus. He was a tax gatherer at Capernaum, probably in the service of Herod Antipas, in whose tetrarchy Capernaum was. Soon after his call he gave a feast to his old associated at which the Lord was present, and was in consequence blamed by the Pharisees. Matthew was probably a thorough Jew with a wide knowledge of the O.T. scriptures, and able to see in every detail of the Lord’s life the fulfillment of prophecy. His Gospel was written for the use of Jewish persons in Palestine, and uses many quotations from the O.T. His chief object is to show that Jesus is the Messiah of whom the prophets spoke. He also emphasizes that Jesus is the King and Judge of men. His Gospel was probably written in Aramaic, but is known to us by a Greek translation. Of the apostle’s later life litter is known for certain. A tradition asserts that he died a martyr’s death.”
James (son of Alphaeus) – “An English form of the Hebrew name Jacob.”
Lebbaeus (Thaddaeus) – “Lebbaeus, whocse surname was Thaddaeus.”
Simon (the Canaanite) – means the “brother” of Jesus
Judas Iscariot (the betrayer) – “Belonging to Kerioth in the tribe of Judah, one of ‘the twelve,’ and the only one who was not a Galilean.”
----- End Bible Dictionary Results -----
I decided to look up all twelve original apostles in the Bible Dictionary, and I found it interesting that there were only three apostles for which there was an extensive amount of information written about them in the B.D., and they are James (of Peter, James and), John, and Matthew.
It is interesting to me that both James and John were given the name Boanerges, meaning “sons of thunder,” and they were both close to Christ in the sense that they were specially chosen for certain occasions like witnessing the rising of Jarius’s daughter and Gethsemane. I wonder if they were given this particular name because Christ knew that their names and influence would reverberate throughout history.
With Matthew, I am amazed at his dedication to focusing on showing the Jews that Christ was their prophesied Messiah. You can find in the institute manual little gems of knowledge further showing how he did this, including in how he wrote out the genealogy of Christ (which I believe is in my previous post). It’s inspiring.
I also found in interesting that Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Christ, was also the only one of all the apostles who was not a Galilean. Perhaps this made him feel like an outcast, maybe he didn’t understand certain traditions or sayings, or something of the like. If this is true (just my speculation) it could give a reason as to why he betrayed Christ even after everything he had witnessed.
Step 2
Read Acts 4:33; Doctrine and Covenants 107:23; and the entry for “Apostle” in the Bible Dictionary (p. 612). Then, write a definition for what an Apostle is.
An apostle is a special witness of Christ, called to travel the world and preach of Him.
Step 3
Describe in writing how the Savior’s teachings to His Apostles in Matthew 10:5-42 prepared them to be sent out to proclaim the gospel.
Christ told them all that they needed to know. The Apostles knew that the work would not be easy, but not to fret because God would be with them. They knew that if the people would not receive their words that they would not be held accountable for their sins. They were told to focus on the poor and the needy, to continue to work miracles on those who came across their paths. All in all, what Christ told them to do in their work as apostles was reflected in what He Himself did. He told them all and showed them all, and that this the greatest example and preparation for any job that anyone could ask for.
Step 4
Read Luke 5:1-11. Explain in writing what you learn from the responses made by Peter, James and John to the Savior’s call. How could you apply their actions and examples in your own life?
When the Lord called Peter, James, and John to help Him with His work, they immediately left behind the greatest catch that any fisherman could have hoped for and followed him. They left behind what great riches they would have received to follow a man they recognized to be greater than they were. I think that this is a great example for all of us, especially me. I think that I need practice in recognizing good things in my life, especially things that are done by the hand of the Lord, so I can show Him more gratitude and ask less questions that seem trivial. I need to be more willing to follow His word when I hear it and take action before any doubt sets in, not let the doubt and fear come. The Lord will take care of me and help me in doing His work, I just need to do it.
It is interesting to me that both James and John were given the name Boanerges, meaning “sons of thunder,” and they were both close to Christ in the sense that they were specially chosen for certain occasions like witnessing the rising of Jarius’s daughter and Gethsemane. I wonder if they were given this particular name because Christ knew that their names and influence would reverberate throughout history.
With Matthew, I am amazed at his dedication to focusing on showing the Jews that Christ was their prophesied Messiah. You can find in the institute manual little gems of knowledge further showing how he did this, including in how he wrote out the genealogy of Christ (which I believe is in my previous post). It’s inspiring.
I also found in interesting that Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Christ, was also the only one of all the apostles who was not a Galilean. Perhaps this made him feel like an outcast, maybe he didn’t understand certain traditions or sayings, or something of the like. If this is true (just my speculation) it could give a reason as to why he betrayed Christ even after everything he had witnessed.
Step 2
Read Acts 4:33; Doctrine and Covenants 107:23; and the entry for “Apostle” in the Bible Dictionary (p. 612). Then, write a definition for what an Apostle is.
An apostle is a special witness of Christ, called to travel the world and preach of Him.
Step 3
Describe in writing how the Savior’s teachings to His Apostles in Matthew 10:5-42 prepared them to be sent out to proclaim the gospel.
Christ told them all that they needed to know. The Apostles knew that the work would not be easy, but not to fret because God would be with them. They knew that if the people would not receive their words that they would not be held accountable for their sins. They were told to focus on the poor and the needy, to continue to work miracles on those who came across their paths. All in all, what Christ told them to do in their work as apostles was reflected in what He Himself did. He told them all and showed them all, and that this the greatest example and preparation for any job that anyone could ask for.
Step 4
Read Luke 5:1-11. Explain in writing what you learn from the responses made by Peter, James and John to the Savior’s call. How could you apply their actions and examples in your own life?
When the Lord called Peter, James, and John to help Him with His work, they immediately left behind the greatest catch that any fisherman could have hoped for and followed him. They left behind what great riches they would have received to follow a man they recognized to be greater than they were. I think that this is a great example for all of us, especially me. I think that I need practice in recognizing good things in my life, especially things that are done by the hand of the Lord, so I can show Him more gratitude and ask less questions that seem trivial. I need to be more willing to follow His word when I hear it and take action before any doubt sets in, not let the doubt and fear come. The Lord will take care of me and help me in doing His work, I just need to do it.