The Last Supper (c. 1520) by Giovanni Pietro Rizzoli

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12) διανυκτερε ύ ω (dianyktereuo) – “spent the night” to continue all night, to pass the whole night “At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.” (Luke 4:42a)

“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:” (Luke 6:13) μαθητ ή ς (mathetes) – “disciples” a learner, pupil, disciple ἀ π ό στολος (apostolos) – “apostles” a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

Characteristic ApostleDisciple Accepted the call from the tangibly present Jesus (either before or after resurrection) Yes No Given the gift of the Holy Spirit Yes Given miraculous spiritual gifts Yes No Focused on preaching and teaching Yes Some Laid the foundation of the Church Yes No Steward of the mysteries of God Yes No Servant of Jesus Christ until death Yes Judges of the tribes of Israel at end timesJust the Twelve No

“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22) 1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (II Peter 1:16) “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (I Corinthians 15:7-8)

1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. 2) Foundation layers. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20)

1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. 2) Foundation layers. 3) Preaching accompanied by miracles. “I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. ” (II Corinthians 12:12)

1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. 2) Foundation layers. 3) Preaching accompanied by miracles. 4) Stewards of the “mysteries of God.” “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.” (I Corinthians 4:1)

1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. 2) Foundation layers. 3) Preaching accompanied by miracles. 4) Stewards of the “mysteries of God.” 5) It was considered a spiritual gift (calling). “God has placed in the church first of all apostles…” (I Corinthians 12:28a)

1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. 2) Foundation layers. 3) Preaching accompanied by miracles. 4) Stewards of the “mysteries of God.” 5) It was considered a spiritual gift (calling). 6) Four others were called apostles besides the Twelve.

“Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:26) “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting…” (Acts 14:14) “For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.” (Galatians 2:8) “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles…” (Romans 16:7)

1) Eyewitness of the resurrection. 2) Foundation layers. 3) Preaching accompanied by miracles. 4) Stewards of the “mysteries of God.” 5) It was considered a spiritual gift (calling). 6) Four others were called apostles besides the Twelve. 7) There were also “false apostles.”

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (I Corinthians 11:13-15)

“…Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” (Luke 6:14-16)

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be…” (I Peter 5:2a) complement (noun) something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect. angle added to another that creates a right angle (90°). “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) 1) Ordinary men who did extraordinary things for God. 2) Jesus trained the called instead of calling the trained. 3) God’s leadership teams complement one another. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” (Acts 20:28a)

“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” (Acts 12:1-2) 1) Ordinary men who did extraordinary things for God. 2) Jesus trained the called instead of calling the trained. 3) God’s leadership teams complement one another. 4) Jesus prepared these men to die for the cause. Angle A is already in place. Angle B complements angle A and makes it complete (90°).

Extra-biblical and historical sources can enhance our understanding and add insight, but should not be granted authority equal to the inspired Scriptures.

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Now there were Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” (John 1:43-44; 12:20-21) Jerusalem, Rome Scythia Jerusalem Asia Minor (Ephesus) Phyriga, Hierapolis Armenia, India? Ethiopia, India Persia, India Crucified upside down Crucified in Patras Beheaded (Acts 12:2) Exiled to Patmos (Rev. 1:9) Stoned in Hierapolis Skinned and beheaded Crucified in Judea Stoned and speared “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. (John 21:18-19a) Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them… When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:20-22) As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth.” (Mark 2:14a) “…James son of Alphaeus…” (Mark 3:18) Name(s) Location(s) Death Tradition Simon (Peter) Andrew James John Philip Bartholomew (Nathaniel) Matthew (Levi) Thomas (Didymus)

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:14-16) Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

Simon (Peter) Andrew James John Philip Bartholomew (Nathaniel) Matthew (Levi) Thomas (Didymus) James son of Alphaeus Simon the Zealot Judas son of James (Thaddeus) Name(s) Location(s) Death Tradition Jerusalem, Rome Scythia Jerusalem Asia Minor (Ephesus) Philip Armenia, India? Ethiopia, India Persia, India Syria, Persia North Africa, Britain? Persia Crucified upside down Crucified in Patras Beheaded (Acts 12:2) Exiled to Patmos (Rev. 1:9) Stoned in Hierapolis Skinned and beheaded Crucified in Judea Stoned and speared Stoned Stabbed or sawn in two Beaten and beheaded “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two…” (Heb. 11:37)

Simon (Peter) Andrew James John Philip Bartholomew (Nathaniel) Matthew (Levi) Thomas (Didymus) James son of Alphaeus Simon the Zealot Judas son of James Judas Iscariot Jerusalem, Rome Scythia Jerusalem Asia Minor (Ephesus) Philip Armenia, India? Ethiopia, India Persia, India Syria, Persia North Africa, Britain? Persia Crucified upside down Crucified in Patras Beheaded (Acts 12:2) Exiled to Patmos (Rev. 1:9) Stoned in Hierapolis Skinned and beheaded Crucified in Judea Stoned and speared Stoned Stabbed or sawn in two Beaten and beheaded Suicide (Matthew 27:5) Name(s) Location(s) Death Tradition

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome… …For everyone who is born of God overcomes the world. (I John 5:3) “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14)