The Twelve

Luke 6:12-16

Luke 6:12–16 KJV 1900

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

(Fill in the Blank)

“And it cam to pass in ______________ days, that he went out into a _______________ to pray, and ______________________ all _________________ in _______________ to _______________” (Luke 6:12).

What did Jesus do before making this big decision?

What did Jesus do before choosing the Apostles?

How long did Jesus pray in Luke 6:12?

Why them?

Why do you think these 12 men were chosen to be Apostles?

What does this show us about who God can use?

Can God use anyone?

Prayer

What did Jesus do before making this decision?

Luke 6:12–13 KJV 1900

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Do I prepare with prayer?

What should be our first step in preparation as a Christian?

Did Jesus rush His prayer to God?

Did prayer guide Jesus’ decision?

Hearts

Why them? Let us look at their hearts.

Luke 6:14–16 KJV 1900

14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Acts 1:24 KJV 1900

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

They had the right hearts.

So, why were these men called to be Apostles? They had the right __________________ (Acts 1:24).

(Circle Answer) Hearts Minds Abilities Talents Popularity

That included Peter all the way the Judas.

Peter

Denied Christ - Wrote 1 & 2 Peter

Did the Apostle Peter deny Christ after His arrest?

Who is always listed first when the Apostles are named in the Scriptures?

Was Peter perfect?

1 Peter 3:8 KJV 1900

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Andrew

(Brother of Peter) - a fishermen

Matthew 4:18–20 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

What did Andrew do for a living?

Was Andrew rich, or a man that was famous and powerful?

James

Not the writer of the book of James. (James the half-brother of Christ wrote that epistle.)

James 3:16 KJV 1900

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

John

- James brother - Wrote John, 1, 2 &3 John, and Rev.

1 John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

James and John were both on that water bank with Peter and Andrew. They too became fishermen of men. Matt. 4:21-22.

Where James and John being also fishermen considered to be powerful?

Phillip

- Worker For Jesus.

John 1:43–46 KJV 1900

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Did Philip waste time when it came to telling others about Jesus?

What was the name of the man Philip told to “come and see” Jesus (John 1:45-46)?

Jesus uses us to complete this task.

Does God use us to complete His works?

Bartholomew - One of the ones behind the scenes. Name list 4 times in the NT.

How many times is Bartholomew named in the New Testament?

(Circle Answer) 1 20 Don’t Know 4

Even though Bartholomew was named less in the Scriptures than some, did that make him less of an Apostle or servant of Christ?

Matthew

- tax collector (Jewish name Levi). Writer on the Gospel according to Matthew.

Matthew 9:9–13 KJV 1900

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

What was Matthew’s Jewish name?

Imperfect people is who Jesus calls to service.

Thomas

- Doubting Thomas

John 20:24–29 KJV 1900

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Did Thomas experience doubt while being an Apostle?

James son of Alphaeus

- Son of Alphaeus

James was possibly the brother of Matthew.

Mark 2:14 KJV 1900

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

There are family ties within this community of Apostles. Makes since most congregations have family ties. But remember we all are part of the larger family of promise as a Christian. (You can attract your family to the faith.)

Simon

(referred to as a Zelot.)

Zelotes - A person characterized by strict and/or exclusive devotion to God or another holy matter.

Zelotes had extreme dislike for the Romans. Especially the Jews traders who worked for them, like tax collectors.

Judas the brother of James (Thaddaeus)

(Brother of James) Also known as Thaddaeus

Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot

Was Judas Iscariot’s heart right with God at the time of his selection as an Apostle?

Did Judas Iscariot fall away?

Work

Acts 1:13 KJV 1900

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

They abode together.

Matthew 10:1–4 KJV 1900

1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Jesus gave them work to do.

Mark 3:16–19 KJV 1900

16 And Simon he surnamed Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: And they went into an house.

All these men had similar yet different lives and personalities.

Even had differing opinions on things.

Some would have been enemies, without Christ.

This shows us that God can use anyone for His purpose. We should work together as these Apostles did.

They were great men because they served Jesus.

They had problems just like us but the submitted and obeyed Jesus, changing their lives forever.

Did the Apostles work?

Where the Apostles able to get along?

Was the purpose of their work to serve man or God?

Have you submitted to the God of the universe and obeyed the teachings in the Bible to become a Christian?

If yes, are you working for God and placing His will first?

For fun! If you could ask one of the Apostles a question. Which one would it be and what would you ask?

Remember to ask him when you see him in heaven.