Who Were the 12 Apostles?

Summary

The video explores the lives of the Twelve Apostles, highlighting their role in shaping Christianity. It begins with Peter, considered the first Pope, and covers apostles like Andrew, John, and James. While some apostles, such as Peter and John, are well-documented and wrote parts of the New Testament, others, like Bartholomew and Simon the Zealot, are more obscure, with much of their history coming from tradition and apocryphal texts. The video also mentions the controversial figure of Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of Jesus. The Apostles’ contributions remain influential in Christian history.

Takeaways

• 📜 Peter is often considered the first Pope of the Catholic Church but wasn't the first apostle.
• ✝️ Christianity started with Jesus and a small group of disciples, and the twelve apostles were chosen from them.
• 📖 The Bible provides vastly different amounts of information on each of the twelve apostles, with some writing books and others barely mentioned.
• 🔑 Peter, originally named Simon, is famous for denying Jesus three times and was crucified upside down around 64 CE in Rome.
• ⛪ Andrew, Peter's brother, was the first-called apostle and traveled to places like Poland, Scotland, and Russia, and was crucified on an X-shaped cross.
• ⚔️ James the Greater, son of Zebedee, was one of the first Christian martyrs, beheaded by King Herod around the early 40s CE.
• 📝 John, James' brother, wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation, both famous for their distinct writing styles and apocalyptic content.
• 🔨 James the Lesser, possibly the author of the Book of James, was martyred around 62 CE, leaving behind writings on Christian wisdom.
• 🌍 Philip helped bridge Jewish and Greek cultures in early Christianity and was known for baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, one of the first non-Semitic Christians.
• 📚 Bartholomew, possibly the same as Nathanial, is remembered for his martyrdom in Armenia, where he was flayed alive.

Q & A

Who was considered the first Pope in the Catholic Church?

Peter is considered the first Pope in the Catholic Church, although he was not the first apostle chosen by Jesus.

What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle in Christianity?

A disciple is anyone who believes in and follows Jesus, while an apostle is one of the twelve disciples specifically chosen by Jesus to spread his teachings.

What is Peter most remembered for in the New Testament?

Peter is most remembered for denying Jesus three times on the night of his arrest, but also for being forgiven and accepted by Jesus later.

What was the nickname given to Andrew and why?

Andrew was given the nickname 'Protoclete,' meaning 'first-called,' because he was traditionally considered the first apostle called by Jesus.

What were the notable contributions of James the Greater to early Christianity?

James the Greater was one of Jesus' inner circle and was among the first apostles to be martyred. He is also associated with Spain through Christian tradition, even though there is no historical evidence he traveled there.

What makes the Gospel of John distinct from the other three Gospels in the New Testament?

The Gospel of John is more thematic and reads like a story rather than a straightforward account of events. It contains more historical details and unique theological insights.

Who is James the Lesser and what is known about his contributions?

James the Lesser, also known as James, son of Alphaeus, was a relatively obscure apostle. He is traditionally considered the author of the Book of James, which discusses Christian faith and wisdom, although this is debated.

What was the role of Philip in early Christian evangelism?

Philip acted as a bridge between Jewish and Greek communities, baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch and spreading Christianity to various regions including Samaria and Gaza.

What makes Bartholomew a unique figure among the apostles?

Bartholomew is notable for his lack of recorded actions in the New Testament, but he features prominently in apocryphal texts. Christian tradition states he was flayed alive, making him the 'most tortured' apostle.

Why is Thomas often referred to as 'Doubting Thomas'?

Thomas earned the nickname 'Doubting Thomas' because he initially doubted Jesus' resurrection and demanded physical proof, only believing after seeing Jesus' wounds firsthand.

What distinguishes Judas Iscariot from the other apostles?

Judas Iscariot is infamous for betraying Jesus to the Jewish religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver, and he later hanged himself in remorse, making his legacy one of shame and dishonor.

Who replaced Judas Iscariot as an apostle after his betrayal?

Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle after Judas' betrayal and death, ensuring the number of apostles remained twelve.