Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Thursday, March 26, 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 7. Thomas 8. Matthew, Levi 9. Simon the Zealot 10. James, the son of Alphaeus 11. Thaddaeus 12. Paul

His Name: Bartholomew is Hebrew from "Bar Talmay" meaning "son of Tolmai”, "son of a plowman".

In the Synoptic gospels and Acts, Philip and Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while in John's, Philip and Nathanael. Mat 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; John 1:45

Bartholomew is his surname and Nathanael his proper name.

Nathanael is Greek from the Hebrew (Nathan - el) that means "given/gift of God" or “God has given”.

His Background: He was of the tribe of Naphtali, born in Cana of Galilee, John 21:2, the place of our Lord's first miracle, John 2:1-11.

He was brought to Christ by Philip, John 1:43-50, and made the infamous statement, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

His Personality: Our Lord best describes him as an “Israelite indeed, without any deceit”. John 1:47

Our Lord seeing him “under the fig tree”, may indicate he was in prayer or studying the Torah, as a Jewish figure of speech.

He first doubted Philip, possibly based on the Lord’s hometown, Nazareth, having a poor reputation and being despised.

Jesus’ birth place Jesus’ 1st miracle

Nazareth today “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” - Nathanael

Nathanael's statement was further proof of prophecy regarding our Lord being despised by men. Isa 53:3; Psa 22:6

The "Israelite" characterizes him as one needing a sign, which our Lord gave Nathanael straight away. John 1:48-51

He was a traditionalist, needed some evidence before believing but gave even objectionable information a chance.

He was an honest, honorable, sincere, candid, open-minded, single- hearted, and free from the deceit of Jacob.

His Role Among the Apostles: He is one of the Apostles of whom no word is reported nor any individual action recorded in the New Testament.

In John 1:50-51 our Lord made a fascinating promise of the blessings he would receive here on earth.

He was 1 of 7 that the Lord appeared to after the resurrection, at the Sea of Tiberias. John 21:1-2

He was also a witness of the ascension, and returned with the other apostles to Jerusalem. Acts 1:4, 12-13

His Legacy: Tradition says he was a missionary preaching the gospel with Philip and Thomas in many countries, especially in India where he left behind a copy, in Hebrew, of the Gospel of Matthew.

Other traditions record him as serving as a missionary in Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia, and Lycaonia.

With the Apostle Thaddaeus/Jude, he is said to have brought Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century. Thus both are patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

There are the “Gospel of Bartholomew”, “Preaching of Bartholomew in the Oasis”, “Preaching of Andrew and Bartholomew”, “Questions of Bartholomew” and “Martyrdom of Bartholomew”

Foxes Book of Martyrs: Preached in several countries, and translated Matthew into the language of India. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

Others say he was placed in a sack and cast into the sea. And martyred at the site of the Maiden Tower in Azerbaijan by being flayed alive and then crucified head down.

Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement” (Sistine Chapel). Bartholomew holding the knife of his martyrdom and his flayed skin. The face of the skin is Michelangelo's.

Phil 3:15, “…and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.”

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, March 26, 2009 Meet the Apostles - Bartholomew Upper Room Discourse, Part 251 Tape # Meet the Apostles - Bartholomew Upper Room Discourse, Part 251 John 13:36; 1:41-47; 6:1-14; 12:21-22; 14:8-9 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009