Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Memory Verse John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

The Twelve Apostles 1. Simon-Peter 2. Andrew 3. James 4. John 5. Philip 6. Bartholomew, Nathanael 7. Thomas 8. Matthew, Levi 9. James, the son of Alphaeus 10. Thaddaeus 11. Simon the Zealot 12. Paul

His Name: Simon means “a rock or stone” perhaps a contraction of the Hebrew SHIMEON that means “heard, hearkening or listening”.

The Greek uses two different words for his surname: Canaanite and Zealot.

1. “Simon the Canaanite”, Mat 10:4; Mark 3:18, KANANAIOS = the jealous or zealous one”, from the Hebrew QANNA.

2. “Simon the Zealot”, Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13, ZELOTES = “one burning with zeal, a zealot”, from the root ZEO = “to boil or be hot”.

His Background: All we can glean from his background is from his title, “Simon who was called the Zealot”.

“Canaanite” does not mean a native of Canaan, it has political rather than geographical significance.

It was the name of a Jewish fanatical sect called the ZELOTES who hated foreign occupation.

They may have been or were associated with the “Assassins” of Acts 21:38.

They strongly desired the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy and were zealous to usher it in by means of the sword if necessary.

They began 20+ years before Christ’s ministry, headed by Judas of Galilee, “in the days of the census by Quirinius”. Luke 2:1, 2; Acts 5:37

They rebelled against the Romans, but were soon scattered, and became a lawless roving band.

His Personality: Simon was fervent in his beliefs committed to its means and ends. He was a Galilean bold and willing to sacrifice all on behalf of his conviction.

His Role Among the Apostles: He is list as one of the twelve in Mat 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.

He may have received his call along with Andrew and Peter, the sons of Zebedee, Thaddaeus and Judas Iscariot at the Sea of Tiberias, compare Mat 4:18-22.

As an ex-zealot he was not a safe choice for apostle. He might have gained the attention of the Pharisees and Romans as an object of political suspicion.

Yet our Lord was willing to take the risk knowing the resultant benefits; gaining many disciples from the dangerous and despised classes.

His Legacy: We do not know anything of this apostle after the resurrection of our Lord.

He may have preached in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain.

Later tradition associates him with Jude as a proselytizing team where after evangelizing in Egypt, he joined Jude in Persia and Armenia, where both were martyred.

The choice of Simon the Zealot and Matthew the Publican is refreshing. Two men from opposite quarters brought together in close fellowship.

Our Lord constructed His disciples as a miniature of the Church, from diverse corners in union with Christ.

Foxes Book of Martyrs: Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74.

Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Tape # Meet the Apostles – Simon the Zealot Upper Room Discourse, Part 256 John 13:36; Mat 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009