Cary Goodwin

In this Chapter, I would like to deal with the history of the first Apostles. If you asked the average Christian to name the Apostles, the first names that would come to mind are Peter, John, and Paul. More was written about these three, than any of the others. By taking a look at what we know of their lives and ministry, it will help us to get a better feel for who the Apostles are. There isn't much written about the lives and ministries of most of the first Apostles.

If we can expect God to speak to us about what we are called to be. We can also seek the Lord to tell us what He has called another to be. We can and should seek Him, to give us discernment concerning the affairs of His Kingdom. This is part of Seek First the Kingdom of God. If you go to the Lord in Prayer and tell Him that you want and need to have wisdom, about the affairs of His Kingdom so that you do not miss His Will. Wouldn't this please the Lord and wouldn't He be inclined to give you what you ask for? I believe He would. I am certain, that it would be received better, than having no regard for His affairs.

We know that Jesus chose twelve disciples to be named Apostles. In Luke Chapter 22:28-30 He said to the twelve, Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. These first Apostles were with Jesus continually from the Baptism of John where the Holy Spirit descended and remained on the Lord until He was caught up into heaven.

These men went on to serve the Lord with all they had expending their lives, for the Lord, until their life was taken from them. These Apostles were special and there will never be anymore, whom we can directly compare them to. Their calling and office given by God, is a foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ. You do not build a house and then rip out the foundations. The Lord, did not rip out the foundations of His Church.

We know that Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus, was numbered with the original twelve. Then in the book of Acts, we see that his ministry was taken by another. In Acts 1:16-26 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; in so much as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, the field of blood.

I have heard men preach on television, with large audiences listening, that the Apostles were in error here. Which would indicate that Matthias's Apostleship was not valid. I think at one time, I believed this also. But the Word of God, always let us know when they, the disciples were in error. We have already discussed how the Lord was with them giving them instructions before He ascended on High. So, for all we know they were told to draw lots. The drawing of lots is scriptural. In the book of Joshua they drew lots for their inheritance dividing the land of Israel to the twelve tribes. We know that they were fulfilling prophecy to replace Judas. I can believe that Judas's replacement had to have been with them, throughout the temptations of Jesus, from beginning to end. Matthias's name was found encoded in the book of Isaiah along with the other eleven Apostles. The book of Isaiah was written 700 years before.

Christianity owes much to the first Apostles. We in this time owe them much for our own salvation. There is not much written on the lives of most of the Apostles. What is written we need to consider. Let's take a very brief look at the lives of the first twelve Apostles;

ANDREW: Andrew was the brother of Peter, and a son of Jonas. He lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum and was a fisherman before he was called by Jesus. Originally he was a disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew brought his brother Peter, to Jesus. He is the first to have the title of Home and Foreign Missionary. He is claimed by three countries as their Patron Saint---Russia, Scotland and Greece. Many scholars say that he preached in Scythia, Greece, and Asia Minor. Andrew introduced others to Jesus. His main purpose in life was to bring others to the Master.

According to tradition, it was in Achaia, Greece, in the town of Patra that Andrew died a martyr. When Governor Aepeas' wife was healed and converted to the Christian Faith, and shortly after that the Governor's brother became a Christian, Aepeas was enraged. He arrested Andrew and condemned him to die on the cross. Andrew, feeling unworthy to be crucified on the same cross as his Master, begged that his be different. So, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross.

BARTHOLOMEW: Bartholomew Nathanael, son of Talmai, lived in Cana of Galilee. Tradition says he was a missionary in Armenia.

A number of scholars believe that he was the only disciple who came from royal blood, or noble birth. His name means Son of Tolmai or Talmai. Talmai was king of Geshur whose daughter, Maacah, was the wife of David, mother of Absalom.

Bartholomew's name appears with every list of the disciples. He is the one whom Jesus called an "Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile". The New Testament gives us very little information about him. Nevertheless, we have clear information that he was a great searcher of the Scripture and a scholar in the Law and the Prophets. He was a man of complete sincerity, a man earnest in prayer, a man who made complete surrender to the Carpenter of Nazareth, and one of the Church's most adventurous missionaries. He is said to have preached with Philip in Phrygia and Hierapolis; also in Armenia. The Armenian Church claims him as its founder and martyr. However, tradition says that he preached in India and his death seems to have taken place there. He died a martyr for his Lord. He was flayed alive with knives.

JAMES: James, the elder, Boanerges, son of Zebedee and Saloam, brother of John the Apostle; a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida, Capurnaum and Jerusalem. He preached in Jerusalem and Judea and was beheaded by Herod, in A.D. 44. He was a member of the Inner Circle, so called because they were accorded special privileges.

The New Testament tells us very little about James. His name never appears apart from that of his brother, John. They were an inseparable pair. He was a man of courage and forgiveness a man without jealousy, living in the shadow of John, a man of extraordinary faith. He was the first of the twelve to become a martyr.

JAMES: James, the Lesser or Younger, son of Alpheus, or Cleophas, and Mary, lived in Galilee. He was the brother of the Apostle Jude. According to tradition he wrote the Epistle of James, preached in Palestine and Egypt and was crucified in Egypt. James was one of the little known disciples. Some scholars believe he was the brother of Matthew, the tax collector. James was a man of strong character and one of the most fiery types. Tradition tells us that he also died as a martyr and his body was sawed in pieces.

JOHN: John Boanerges, son of Zebedee and Saloam, brother of James the Apostle. He was known as the Beloved Disciple. A fisherman who lived in Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem, he was a member of the Inner Circle. He wrote the Gospel of John, I John, II John, III John and Revelation. He preached among the Churches of Asia Minor. Banished to the Isle of Patmos, he was later freed and died a natural death.

John was one of the prominent Apostles. He is mentioned in many places in the New Testament. He was a man of action; he was very ambitious; and a man with an explosive temper and an intolerant heart. His second name was Boanerges, which means Son of Thunder. He and his brother James came from a more well-to-do family than the rest of the Apostles. Since his father had hired servants in his fishing business he may have felt himself above the rest. He was close to Peter. They were acting together in the ministry. Peter however was always the spokesman for the band.John mellowed with time. At the latter part of his life, he had forgotten everything, including his ambition and explosive temper, except his Lord's command of love.

It is said that an attempt was made on his life by giving him a chalice of poison from which God spared him. He died of natural causes. 

JUDAS: Judas Iscariot, the traitor, was the son of Simon who lived in Kerioth of Judah. He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and afterwards hanged himself.

JUDE: Jude, Thaddeus, or Lebbeusk, son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary. He was one of the very little known Apostles and lived in Galilee. Tradition says he preached in Assyria and Persia and died a martyr in Persia.

Jerome called Jude Trinomious which means a man with three names. In Mark 3:18 he is called 'Thaddeus. In Matthew 10:3 he is called Lebbeus. His surname was Thaddeus. In Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 he is called Judas the brother of James. Judas Thaddeus also was called Judas the Zealot.

By character he was an intense and violent Nationalist with the dream of world power and domination by the Chosen People. The New Testament records he asked Jesus at the Last Supper, Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Judas Thaddeus was interested in making Christ known to the world. Not as a suffering Saviour, however, but as ruling King. We can see plainly from the answer Jesus gave him, that the way of power can never be substituted to the way of love.

It is said that Jude went to preach the gospel in Edessa near the Euphrates River. There he healed many and many believed in the name of the Master. Jude went from there to preach the Gospel in other places. He was killed with arrows Ararat.

MATTHEW: Matthew, or Levi, son of Alpheus, lived in Capernaum. He was a publican or tax collector. He wrote the Gospel that bears his name. He died a martyr in Ethiopia.

The call of Matthew to the apostolic band is mentioned in Mark 2:14, Mat. 9:9; and Luke 5:27-28. From these passages, we learn that Matthew also was called Levi. It was a common custom in the Middle East at the time of Christ for men to have two names.

Matthew's names mean a gift of God. The name Levi could have been given to him by Jesus. It is likely that James the Lesser, who was one of the twelve Apostles, was Matthews's brother, also the son of Alpheus. Although we know little about Matthew personally, the outstanding fact about him is that he was a tax collector. The King James Version calls him a publican, which in Latin is the man who handled public money or a tax gatherer.

In the minds of many honest, Jewish men, these tax collectors were regarded as criminals. In New Testament times they were classified with harlots, Gentiles and sinners. Tax collectors had been known to assess duty payable, at impossible sums and then offer to lend money to travelers at a high rate of interest. Such was Matthew. Yet, Jesus chose a man all men hated and made him one of His Men. It took Jesus Christ to see the potential in the tax collector of Capernaum.

Matthew was unlike most of the other Apostles, who were all fishermen. He could use a pen, and by his pen he became the first man to present to the world, in the Hebrew language, an account of the teachings of Jesus. It is clearly impossible to estimate the debt that Christianity owes to this despised tax gatherer. The average man would have thought it impossible to reform Matthew, but to God all things are possible. Matthew became the first man to write down the teachings of Jesus. He was a missionary of the Gospel, who laid down his life for the faith of his Master.

PETER: Simon Peter, son of Jonas, was a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum. He did evangelistic and missionary work among the Jews, going as far as Babylon. Tradition says he was crucified, head downward, in Rome. Some scholars ascribe I and II Peter to him. He was a member of the Inner Circle.

In every apostolic list, the name Peter is mentioned first. However, Peter had other names. At the time of Christ, the common language was Greek and the family language was Hebrew. So, his Greek name was Simon. His

Hebrew name was Cephas. The Greek meaning of Simon is rock. The arabic meaning of Cephas is also rock.

By trade, Peter was a fisherman. He was a married man and his home was Capernaum. Jesus probably made His headquarters there when He visited Capernaum. Peter was also a Galilean and was typical of many of the other disciples. As Josephus described the Galileans They were ever fond of innovation and by nature disposed to change and delighted in sedition. They were ever ready to follow the leader and to begin an insurrection. They were quick in temper and given to quarrelling and they were very chivalrous men. The Talmud says this of the Galileans, They were more anxious for honor than for gain, quick tempered, impulsive, emotional, easily aroused by an appeal to adventure, loyal to the end. Peter was a typical Galilean.

Among the twelve, Peter was the leader. He stands out as a spokesman for all the Apostles. It is he who asked the meaning of the difficult saying. It is he who asked how often he must forgive. It is he who inquired about the reward for all of those who follow Jesus. It is he who first confessed Jesus and declared him as the Son of the Living God. It is he who was at the mount of Transfiguration. It is he who saw Jairus' daughter raised to life. Yet, it is he who denied Christ before the maiden. He was an Apostle and a missionary who laid down his life for his Lord. It is true, Peter had many faults, but he had always the saving grace of the loving heart. No matter how many times he had fallen and failed, he always recovered his courage and integrity.

Peter was martyred on the cross. Peter requested that he might be crucified head downward for he was not worthy to die as his Lord had died.

PHILIP: Tradition says, that Philip preached Phrygia and died a martyr at Hierapolis. Philip came from Bethsaida, the town from which Peter and Andrew came. The likelihood is that he, too, was a fisherman. Although the first three Gospels record his name, it is in the Gospel of John that Philip becomes a living personality.  

Scholars disagree on Philip. In Acts 6:5, we have Philip as one of the seven ordained deacons. Some say this is a different Philip. Some believe this is the Apostle. If this is the same Philip, then his personality came much more to life because he had a successful campaign in Samaria. He led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. He also stayed with Paul in Caesarea and was one of the major figures in the missionary enterprise of the early church.

The Gospel of John shows Philip as one of the first of many to whom Jesus addressed the words, "Follow Me". When Philip met Christ, he immediately discovered Nathanael and told him that we have found him of whom Moses... and the prophets did write. Nathanael was skeptical. Philip did not argue with him; he simply answered, Come and see. This story tells us two important things about Philip. First, it shows his right approach to the skeptic and his simple faith in Christ. Second, it shows that he had a missionary instinct.

Philip was a man with a warm heart and a pessimistic head. He was one who would very much like to do something for others, but who did not see how it could be done. Yet, this simple Galilean gave all he had. In return God used him. It is said that he died by hanging. While he was dying, he requested that his body be wrapped not in linen but in papyrus for he was not worthy that even his dead body should be treated as the body of Jesus had been treated.

SIMON: Simon the Zealot, one of the little known followers called the Canaanite or Zelotes, lived in Galilee. Tradition says he was crucified.

The New Testament gives us practically nothing on him personally except that it says he was a Zealot. The Zealots were fanatical Jewish Nationalists who had heroic disregard for the suffering involved and struggle for what they regarded as the purity of their faith. The Zealots were crazed with hatred for the Romans. It was this hate for Rome that destroyed the city of Jerusalem. Josephus says the Zealots were reckless persons zealous in good practices and extravagant and reckless in the worst actions.  

From this background, we see that Simon was a fanatical Nationalist, a man devoted to the Law, a man with bitter hatred for anyone who dared to compromise with Rome. Yet, Simon clearly emerged as a man of faith. He abandoned all his hatred for the faith that he showed toward his Master and the love that he was willing to share with the rest of the disciples and especially Matthew, the Roman tax collector. Tradition says he died as a martyr.

THOMAS: Thomas Didymus lived in Galilee. Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia, and India, suffering martyrdom near Madras, at Mt. St. Thomas, India.

Thomas was his Hebrew name and Didymus was his Greek name. At times he was called Judas. Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us nothing about Thomas except his name. However, John defines him more clearly in his Gospel. Thomas appeared in the raising of Lazarus, and in the upper room where he wanted to know how to know, where Jesus was going. In John 20:25, we see him saying unless he sees the nail prints in Jesus hand and the gash of the spear in His side he will not believe. That's why Thomas became known as Doubting Thomas.

Thomas became certain by doubting. By nature he was a pessimist. He was a bewildered man. Yet, he was a man of courage. He was a man who could not believe until he had seen. He was a man of devotion and of faith. When Jesus rose, he came back and invited Thomas to put his finger in the nail prints in his hands and in his side. Here, we see Thomas making the greatest confession of faith, "My Lord and My God."

It is said, that he was commissioned to build a palace for the king of India, and he was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord.

We know much more of the work of the Apostle Paul as we read the book of Acts and his epistles. Remember when you read the accounts of Paul that they encompass all the years of his ministry. There were times, when he had everything he needed, there were times when he did without. There were times, when people received him openly. There were times, when he met great opposition.

After reading something of the lives of these men, which ones today, would be accepted in the Church systems of man now. I can tell you none of them, would be deemed ministry material by men today. And yet these men established the Kingdom of God on Earth, walking with the risen Messiah, into all types of peril. Everywhere they went, they were a threat to the status quo. They threatened Kings and Kingdoms with their good news. And they paid the ultimate price for it.

God could have chosen from every scholar and every professional priest there was. This is the way God Chose.

I have said, that everything that hinders the Gospel from going forth is an abomination. The Gospel going forth in the earth is the very Love of God manifest, even as it was manifest in Jesus, who first gave His life. If we fully understand this, how can we oppose those who are called to spend their lives serving the Love of God? Why would men and women, who have received the Love of God in their own lives yea, even their own salvation, feel so justified in stopping those, who have been called out from everything in the world to serve this Love of God? We the very children of God Must Understand.

I have experienced my greatest attacks and opposition from the Church, simply because we have asked for their help, to continue to take this Love of God, His salvation, to a poor people in a remote place, who would not otherwise hear of their Messiah. I am a witness of the things I write here. This is not to condemn anyone, but I do write this, so we can understand what God is doing in the earth. I can only write this because I know the work and sacrifice, that it has taken to get me into the position that God has called for. And I know that only God could have put me in this position to reach people for His Kingdom.

The main purpose for Jesus coming was to Save the World. The main purpose for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was to Empower Us to be Witnesses in all the Earth. I have never experienced the Anointing of God any stronger than I have, while taking this Gospel to a people who had never heard. I have never experienced the Pleasure of the Lord in me, like I have taking the Gospel to a people who had not heard. I have never experienced the Peace that passes all understanding, like I have while taking the Gospel, to a people who had not heard.

No Apostle or Prophet ever healed anyone. Not one ever performed a miracle. It has all been the Spirit of the Most High God in the Name of Jesus. It was not by their own righteousness. It is the Lords Anointing, given to us that allows us to be partakers of His work, in the Earth. Peters shadow healed no one and that anointing that did heal, was not the same on him, all the days of his life. But Peter, through every peril, every up and down, every chastisement, was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I used Peter, as just one example.

There are many walking among the Churches today, with the same calling on their lives. In them are deposited direction, Visions and commands from God. Because they are called apart unto Jesus to work directly for Him, they are not able to bend to every whim of the Churches that entertain doctrines of men. They are not allowed to dance to all the pipers.

Luke 7:31-32,