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“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Matthew.

Matthew means “gift of the Lord.” It was the alternative name of Levi, the tax collector (Matt. 9:9-13), who left everything to follow Christ (Luke 5:27–32). Matthew was one of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). In his own list of the Twelve, he explicitly called himself a “tax collector” (Matt. 10:1-3). Nowhere else in Scripture is the name Matthew associated with “tax-collector.” The other Gospels always use his tribal name, Levi, when speaking of his life prior to his conversion.

Matthew would have engaged in taxing fishermen like Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. This would have created some obvious tension among the disciples when Jesus called Matthew to follow Him. Past conflicts prior to conversion yield to present reconciliation following conversion.

All three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) place the call of Matthew after the healing of the paralytic and Jesus’ pronouncement of his right to forgive sins (Matt. 9:1–8), and prior to the dinner for “tax collectors and sinners” (vv 10–13). This identifies Matthew as one of the sinners (v 13) to whom Jesus offers forgiveness.

“Matthew’s response to Jesus was obedient, decisive, and sacrificial (Lk 5:28). Both Mark (2:14) and Luke (5:27) call the tax collector “Levi” in place of “Matthew” (cf. Mt 9:9). A personal name (Matthew) would be a more natural choice than a tribal name (Levi), for identifying oneself. Mark and Luke locate the dinner “at his [Levi’s] house” (Mk 2:15; Lk 5:29), but Matthew “in the house” (Mt 9:10)—words one might use of his own home,” explains the Baker Bible Encyclopedia.

Matthew names the Twelve when Jesus sends them with the message of the kingdom (Matt. 10:1–8). Perhaps Jesus gave Levi the name Matthew as a sign of apostleship. If Matthew is a Christian name, this would help to explain why Levi occurs only in accounts of his call (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27, 29), and Matthew everywhere else.

An interesting fact is that all three Synoptic Gospels mention “James son of Alphaeus” among the Twelve Apostles. Mark 2:14 identifies Matthew as “Levi son of Alphaeus.” it is possible that James and Levi (Matthew) were brothers. This would have meant even greater conflict, and subsequent reconciliation, not only between two Jews but also two brothers. Such is the power of the Gospel to change people’s lives.

“The “scribe” of Matthew 13:52 is, no doubt, Matthew himself, who as a tax collector had been a secular scribe. Jesus likens him to a person “bringing forth treasures new and old”—the old being those acquired as a tax collector (such as gifts for accuracy and organization), the new being Jesus’ teachings “about the kingdom of heaven.” As a man doubly equipped, Matthew is now ready for further scribal activity—the writing of the book that bears his name,” states the Baker Bible Encyclopedia.

Matthew was among the disciples gathered to await the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13). The New Testament records nothing of his activity after this.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Thomas. He is in all four lists of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13).  He is my namesake.

The name Thomas is a transliteration of an Aramaic word meaning “twin.” Among the First Century Greek Christians, they often used the name Didymus (didumos, “twin”). This name appears three times in the Gospel of John (11:16; 20:24; 21:2).

Aside from Thomas appearing in each Synoptic Gospel list of apostles (see above), Matthew, Mark and Luke make no further mention of him. However, the Apostle John does.

“Thomas’ appearance in the fourth Gospel is interesting, however, since John does not even provide an exhaustive list of apostles. Here Thomas expresses the despair of the final approach to Jerusalem (11:1-7, 16) and presses Jesus to explain his words of departure in the upper room (14:1-5). In the Gospel’s closing scenes is the familiar episode in which Thomas doubts the Lord’s resurrection (20:24) and then is given compelling proof (vv 26–28). Thomas even appears in the Johannine epilogue (21:2) with Peter fishing in Galilee,” explains the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible.

“The most famous episode involving Thomas (from which he gets the name “Doubting Thomas”) occurred when he did not believe the other disciples’ report that Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:24–29). He replied, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25 ESV). Eight days later, Jesus appeared to Thomas and said, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27 ESV). Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 ESV),” states the Lexham Bible Dictionary.

My Lord and my God! With this acknowledgment, Thomas declared his firm belief in the resurrection and the deity of Jesus Christ the Messiah and Son of God (Titus 2:13).

“This is the greatest confession a person can make. Thomas’s confession functions as the fitting capstone of John’s purpose in writing (see John 20:30–31),” declares Dr. John MacArthur.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Bartholomew. He is in all four lists of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13), but is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.

Bartholomew’s name means “son of Tolmai.” It may well be that he was also called Nathaniel. In the lists found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels), Bartholomew is named immediately after Philip. This suggests that the Nathanael Philip brought to Jesus (John 1:45–50)—who seems to be linked with some of the disciples (John 21:2)—was Bartholomew.

⁴³ “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:43–46 (ESV)

“When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, He made this strange announcement: “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no guile.” The gospels do not tell us a lot about Nathaniel, but Jesus’ pronouncement at that point is profound. What a description of a person’s character: “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” He was a guileless person. Wouldn’t you love to have that on your tombstone: “This was a person without any deception, dishonesty, or manipulation. He was utterly guileless,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

What was Bartholomew’s (Nathaniel’s) response to Jesus? Bartholomew confessed Jesus as the Messiah.

⁴⁹ Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ⁵⁰ Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” ⁵¹ And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:49–51 (ESV)

“Nathaniel was so impressed by Jesus’ display of supernatural knowledge that he immediately exclaimed, “You’re the Son of God; You’re the King of Israel!” It wasn’t just Peter who made a great confession of faith among the disciples and Apostles. The first time we heard: “You’re the Son of God” was from Philip. Then Nathaniel also proclaimed, “You are the Son of God and the King of Israel,” states Dr. Sproul.

True faith in the God of the Scriptures begins with a confession of Jesus Christ alone as Savior and Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

Soli deo Gloria!  

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Phillip. The first mention of Phillip is in the Gospel of John.

⁴³ “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:43–46 (ESV)

“Philip, in bearing witness to Jesus, made his confession of faith in his conviction that Jesus was the One who had been prophesied through the Old Testament Law and the Prophets, that He was the Messiah,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

The next mention of Phillip was when Jesus fed the 5,000 (John 6:1-14). Phillip calculated the cost of feeding such a multitude (John 6:7). He appeared to not only be a practical man but also a financially insightful man.

“Some people, I believe, have unfairly and unjustly dismissed Philip as just another calculating person because he should’ve realized that Jesus had the power to feed every one of those five thousand people without having to buy an enormous amount of food. That’s tremendously unfair since it was a statement made in passing and certainly is not characteristic of Philip and his whole life,” states Dr. Sproul.

The next mention of Phillip was when the disciples celebrated their final Passover Meal with Jesus, hours before His arrest, trial and crucifixion (John 13-17). Phillip asked Jesus to show the disciples God the Father (John 14:8). Jesus responded that whoever had seen the Son, Jesus, had seen the God the Father (John 14:9-11).

“If there was ever a time when Jesus seemed to be exasperated with one of His Apostles or disciples, it was this occasion. He said to Philip: “How long have I been with you, and you still don’t know Me? Don’t you understand, Philip, that he who has seen Me has seen the Father?” What a powerful statement Jesus made regarding the significance of His incarnation: “He who has seen me has seen the Father,” continues Dr. Sproul.

One of evidences the Bible is Word of God is that it accurately portrays followers of Jesus as they really were; including their faults. Phillip was a flawed individual, but he was a forgiven individual and a useful individual for the kingdom of God. May we be the same.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle John, the Son of Zebedee and the brother of the Apostle James. John was a member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples; along with Peter and James. The Holy Spirit used John to write five books of the New Testament (The Gospel of John; I, 2, 3 John, and The Book of Revelation).

John appears in each of the lists of disciples in the New Testament (Matt 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:13–16; Acts 1:13). As part of Jesus’ inner circle (along with Peter and James) he was present at several important occasions during Jesus’ earthly ministry. These include:

•    The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter (Mark 5:37).

•    The Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-2; Mark 9:2).

•    The Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37).

“John may have been younger than his brother James, since he is usually mentioned after James. Together with their father, John and James were fishermen when Jesus called them. According to Mark, Jesus gave the two brothers the Aramaic surname Boanerges, translated as “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). The name may be linked to their fiery temperaments (Mark 9:38–41; Luke 9:51–56),” explains one commentator.

The Apostle John rarely speaks in the Gospels. During the only time when he is alone with Jesus, he says: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us” (Mark 9:38; Luke 9:49). Jesus then corrects John and explains that the use of His name is not restricted to the disciples.

John is traditionally identified as the “beloved disciple” in the Gospel of John. Both are in Jesus’ closest circle and are companions of Peter. John is never explicitly named in the Gospel of John. He is indirectly mentioned in John 21:2, which says that “the sons of Zebedee” were together with Peter and some of the other disciples at the Lake of Tiberias (i.e., the Sea of Galilee). However, one unnamed disciple is presented as closest to Jesus:

•    He leans on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper (John 13:23)

•    He acts as an intermediary between Peter and Jesus (John 13:24–25)

•    He is entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother (John 19:26–27)

•    He reaches the empty tomb before any other disciple (John 20:4)

•    He is the first to believe in the resurrection (John 20:8)

•    He recognizes the risen Lord and identifies Him for Peter (John 21:7)

Presumably John is called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (e.g., in John 21:20). This beloved disciple is Peter’s companion. He is sometimes called “the other disciple” (John 18:15; 20:2). Other suggestions for the identity of the beloved disciple include Lazarus, Thomas, John Mark, or Matthias.

“John experienced exile under the emperor Domitian to the island of Patmos, where he received that heavenly vision that he recorded, as Jesus instructed him, which comes to us now as the book of the Revelation of Saint John (Rev. 1:9). In the book of Revelation, we have the marvelous vision of Christ’s triumph over all His enemies and the triumph of His people, who will participate in Christ’s triumph. We have the Apostle John to thank for that magnificent vision, as well as his great gospel,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle James, the Son of Zebedee and the brother of the Apostle John. James was a member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples; along with Peter and John. James, Zebedee’s son, is not to be confused with James, brother of Jesus or James, son of Alphaeus. “Later Christian tradition called him “James the Greater,” explains commentator Chris Kugler.

The first appearance of James in Scripture is recorded in Matt 4:21. Jesus called him and his brother John to become disciples. Each of the Synoptic Gospels identify James as an early disciple of Jesus (Matt 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:10–11). James would become one of the disciples of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and John (e.g., Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33; 17:1-8).

Mark 1:20 records that James and John left their father with “the hired men” or “servants.” James and John may have been part of an affluent family.

Luke 5:10 describes James and John as Peter’s “partners” (κοινωνοὶ, koinōnoi), suggesting the three of them may have worked together in a fishing business. Jesus’ choice to call Andrew, Peter, James, and John makes sense in understanding they all knew one another and worked together.

Mark 3:17 records that Jesus gave James and John the name ‘Boanērges,’ which means ‘sons of thunder.’ Commentators speculate that this epithet hints at the hot temper that the sons of Zebedee. Support for this view is taken from Luke 9:54, which records that when some Samaritans refused to receive Jesus into their town, James and John asked Jesus, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

Finally, in Mark 10:35–37 James and John ask Jesus if they can rule next to Him in His kingdom. Jesus responds by asking, “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38 NIV). Jesus may have been alluding to James’ martyrdom by Agrippa I around ad 44 (Acts 12:1-2).

“James remained a faithful disciple. James the Greater had the distinction of being the first Apostolic martyr in Christian history. James was not the first Christian martyr. The first martyr, of course, was Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), but the first of the Twelve, the first martyred Apostle, was James in the year 44 A.D. James was martyred during a Jewish persecution led by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-5), which was the occasion for Peter’s imprisonment right after James had been executed. So, James is remembered as being the first of the Apostolic martyrs in church history,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

James life as a disciple/apostle of Jesus may not have been lengthy, but he was faithful to the Lord unto death. We may not experience martyrdom like James, but we are live as faithful martyrs, or witnesses, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!    

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. While much has been written about Simon Peter, comparatively little is known about his brother, Andrew. What do the Scriptures reveal about this man who served the Lord Jesus while in his brother’s shadow?

Andrew first appears in the Gospels as a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35, 40). After hearing John say, referring to Jesus, “Look, there is the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36), Andrew and another unnamed disciple followed Jesus and stayed with him for a day (John 1:36–39). Andrew then told his brother, Simon Peter, that he had found the Messiah and brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:40–42). What a blessing it is for the church to have disciples like Andrew.

Andrew faded then into the background, and his brother came into prominence. Whenever the relationship of the two is mentioned, Andrew is always described as the brother of Simon Peter and never the opposite (Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16; John 1:40; 6:8). However, Andrew is often mentioned without reference to his brother (Mark 1:29; 3:18; 13:3; John 12:22). Andrew’s and Simon Peter’s father was named John (Matt. 16:17; John 1:42; 21:15–17), a common name in the first century. Andrew’s hometown was Bethsaida (John 1:44), a village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

“The Gospel of John mentions disciples being with Jesus (2:2; 4:2), and it is likely that Andrew was one of that early group. Evidently, however, he returned to his activity as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, where he shared a house with Peter and his family in Capernaum (Matt. 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18, 29–33),” explains commentator Walter Elwell.

“While they were fishing, Andrew and Peter received a definite call to follow Jesus and become those who fish for people. From among the disciples of Jesus a group of 12 were later specially chosen as apostles. Andrew is always listed among the first four named, along with Peter and two other brothers, John and James (Mt 10:2–4; Lk 6:13–16; Acts 1:13).”

Andrew is specifically named three other times in the Gospels. These include the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:8–9), when certain Greeks came to Philip, asking to see Jesus (John 12:20–22), and when there were those who privately questioning Jesus on the Mt of Olives (Mark 13:3–4).

Andrew was present when Jesus appeared to His disciples following His resurrection (Matt. 28:16; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-53; John 20:19, 24-31; 21:1-14). Luke mentioned Andrew being a part of the disciples who were present at the ascension of Jesus and on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-14). The Apostle Paul referred to Andrew as one of the Twelve who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus (I Cor. 15:5).

While there are many traditions and speculations about Andrew’s post-biblical ministry, Andrew is a disciple who was content to minister in the background. While he was eclipsed by his brother in ministerial prominence, there is no reference to Andrew being jealous or resentful of either Simon Peter, or the Lord Jesus, for God’s purposeful sovereignty in the apostle’s life. Andrews serve where and how the Lord called him to serve.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles with Simon Peter. Our study of Peter will be the most extensive. Today, we examine his leadership among the Twelve and the church.  

“The prominence of Simon Peter in the Gospels and Acts cannot be disputed. While some have attempted to attribute this to his leadership role in the later church, there is no basis for that in the text of the NT. From the very beginning Simon attained preeminence above the others. In the lists of the Twelve just mentioned, Simon’s name always appears first, and in Matthew 10:2 it introduces his name as “the first.” Moreover, the Twelve are often designated “Peter and those with him” (Mark 1:36; Luke 9:32; 8:45),” explains commentator Walter Elwell.

Throughout the Gospels, Peter acted and spoke on behalf of the other disciples. For example, at the Transfiguration it is Peter who wanted to erect tents (Mark 9:5), and he alone had sufficient faith to attempt walking on the water (Matt. 14:28–31). It is Peter who asks the Lord to explain his teaching on forgiveness (Matt. 18:21) and parables (Matt. 15:15; Luke 12:41) and who speaks the disciples’ minds in Matthew 19:27, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you; what’s in it for us?”

The collectors of the temple tax came to Peter as leader of the disciples (Matt. 17:24). As a member of the inner circle (with James and John, possibly Andrew in Mark 13:3), Peter was often alone with Jesus: the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), at the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-2) and at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33; Matt. 26:37).

Additionally, Jesus asks Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal (Luke 22:1-8; Mark 14:37; Matt. 26:40) and directs His rebuke to Peter as representing the others (“Could ye not watch with me one hour?” Mark 14:37-38). Finally, the message of the angel at the tomb as recorded in Mark 16:7 said, “Go your way, tell his disciples and Peter.” Certainly Peter held a very special place among the Twelve.

“The portrait of Peter that comes through all four accounts pictures him as impulsive, often rash; he is the first to act and speak his mind and was typified by his enthusiasm for everything in which he had a part,” explains Elwell.

“Peter was certainly one who “rushed in where angels fear to tread.” However, this very trait aligns him with all of us and may be one of the major reasons why he becomes the representative disciple throughout the Gospels.”

“While many more things could be said to explain Peter’s prominence among Christ’s Apostles, the points outlined above compel us to focus on a common theme: the redemption and transformation that comes by faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ despite our own weakness,” concludes Dr. Matthew A. Dudreck, associate professor of New Testament at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fla.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. ² The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)

We begin our profile of the Twelve Apostles with Simon Peter. Our study of Peter will be the most extensive. Today, we examine his conversion and call to ministry.

Peter and Andrew, were disciples of John the Baptist (John 1:35–40). Andrew told Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). Peter’s conversion is presupposed in John 1:42, where Andrew brought Simon to Jesus and there received a new name. There are three separate episodes in the Gospels in which Simon is called. These overlap with three episodes in which he is given the name “Cephas” (“Peter,” which means “rock”) by Jesus.

The Gospel of John places Peter’s call to serve in Judea where John the Baptist was baptizing. The synoptic Gospels have two different scenes. The first call takes place at the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:16–20; Matt. 4:18–22). Jesus is walking along the shore and sees Peter and Andrew along with James and John casting their nets into the sea. At this time he calls them to become “fishers of men.”

Luke then expands this into a fishing scene (Luke 5:1–11), in which the disciples have fished all night and caught nothing. However, at Jesus’ command they lower their nets and catch a great catch of fish. The amount of fish is so great that the boat begins to sink. Jesus said that from now on they will “catch men.” As a result, they leave everything and follow him.

The second episode involving Peter’s call (and his new name) is Jesus’ choice of the Twelve upon the mountain (Mark 3:13–19). In the list, Simon is surnamed Peter. The last occurrence regarding Peter’s new name is found in Matthew 16:17–19, in connection with Peter’s confession of Christ at Caesarea Philippi.

“The word for “Peter,” Petros, means a small stone (John 1:42). Jesus used a play on words here with Petra, which means a foundation boulder (cf. Matt. 7:24–25). Since the NT makes it abundantly clear that Christ is both the foundation (Acts 4:11–12; 1 Cor. 3:11) and the head (Eph. 5:23) of the church, it is a mistake to think that here He is giving either of those roles to Peter. There is a sense in which the apostles played a foundational role in the building of the church (Eph. 2:20), but the role of primacy is reserved for Christ alone, not assigned to Peter. So Jesus’ words here are best interpreted as a simple play on words in that a boulder-like truth came from the mouth of one who was called a small stone. Peter himself explains the imagery in his first epistle: the church is built of “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:5) who, like Peter, confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Christ himself is the “cornerstone” (1 Pet. 2:6–7),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

We will conclude our brief profile of Peter by examining his place among the Twelve Disciples/Apostles. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!