2. TWELVE COMMON MEN The Least Known Apostles
James, son of Alphaeus Simon, the Zealot Judas Thaddaeus Lebbaeus
The Least Known Apostles

3. INTRODUCTION
The Apostles were men who were willing to give up everything to follow Christ (Lk 18:28)
The Gospel writers honestly portrayed their weaknesses along with their strengths
They are never shown as major role players
When they are emphasized it is often to highlight their doubt, disbelief or confusion
Their heroism played out after Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower them
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

4. INTRODUCTION
The early growth of the church stands as their true legacy of greatness
It is the durability of their faith that sets these men apart
John 6:66-69 demonstrates this durability
The single most heroic thing about them is that they gave up all to follow Christ
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

5. JAMES, son of Alpaheus James the son of Alphaeus (Mk 3:18)
Matthew is also called the son of Alphaeus (Mk 2:14), it is possible that he and James were brothers, though never called brothers
May be James the Less, the brother of Joses and son of Mary (Mk 15:40)
In Jn. 19:25 this Mary is called the wife of Clopas
Clopas could be another name of Alphaeus
Or Alphaeus has died, and Clopas is her second husband
Clopas is never identified as the father of James so this is a better possibility
Or James the Less is not James the son of Alphaeus
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

6. JAMES, son of Alpaheus He was not James the son of Zebedee
He was not James the Lord’s brother
Probably not the writer of the NT book of James
Usually attributed to James, the Lord’s brother
We have no record of his words or deeds
He is totally obscure
This may be the reason for the name “the Less”, if that James is the son of Alphaeus
One meaning is “least”
Another meaning is “short”, and so may only be a reference to his physical size
A third meaning is “younger or youngest”
He may have been younger than the other James or he may have been the youngest apostle
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

7. JAMES, son of Alpaheus
If we know so little about him, can we learn anything from his being chosen?
Heb 11:33-40
Many who labor in obscurity are still known to God for their faithfulness
What became of James the son of Alphaeus?
Unknown
Many traditions have confused him with one of the other James (usually the Lord’s brother)
Some traditions have him beaten to death with clubs in Jerusalem at 94 years old
Would make him the second longest surviving apostle
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

8. SIMON THE ZEALOT This Simon was also named
"the Cananite“ or “Cananean” (Mt 10:4; Mk 3:18)
"Zelotes“ or “the Zealot” (Lk 6:15; Ac 1:13)
What was the meaning of Cananite?
Word only found in the 2 references to Simon
Probably a reference to his hometown, Cana
Probably not a reference to the Canaanites of the OT
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

9. SIMON THE ZEALOT What were Zealots?
The Zealots were a political faction
Originated as “freedom fighters” since the time of Roman occupation (64BC)
At the time of Jesus birth headed by Judas of Galilee, who "in the days of the enrollment" (Ac 5:37) bitterly opposed the threatened increase of taxation at the census of Quirinius
Sought to hasten by the sword the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy (and hence, they thought, freedom from Rome)
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

10. SIMON THE ZEALOT Zealots sought to overthrow Romans by all means
Romans called them “Sicarii” meaning “Knives”
They practiced terrorism and acts of violence and assassination
They interpreted the Law literally and believed only God had the right to rule over the Jews
They believed their assassination of Roman soldiers and political leaders was God’s work (hence “Zealots”)
To them paying tribute to a pagan king was treason against the one true God
Barabbas may have been a Zealot (Mk 15:7)
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

11. SIMON THE ZEALOT
Imagine the initial meeting between Simon and Matthew )the tax collector)
Jesus knew he could channel Simon’s loyalty, passion, courage and zeal for His purposes
We have no reliable record of Simon beyond the New Testament
Tradition has him bringing the gospel to Britain and being crucified in AD 74
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

12. JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
Lk 6:16; Ac 1:13 - "son of James“
Could be "brother of James“ but less likely
Lk 6:14 uses “brother” specifically when meant
Lk 6:15 uses “of Alphaeus” to name father
Catholics have wanted to identify him (as well as James) as the half-brothers of Jesus
But Jn 7:2-5 makes clear Jesus’ brothers were not among His disciples during His lifetime
The author of Jude (Jude 1:1) is “brother of James”
But no reason to insist the author was the apostle Judas
Never calls himself an apostle
Could have been the half-brother of Jesus, and therefore brother of James the writer of that book
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

13. JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
He is also called "Thaddaeus" or "Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus" (Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18)
Judas was a Hebrew name, “Judah, he shall be praised”
Thaddeus was a Greek name “large-hearted, courageous”
Lebbaeus was an Aramaic name “a man of heart”
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

14. JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
Jn 14:19-24
The only incident recorded of this Judas
Judas questions the Lord concerning why only the Apostles will receive the manifestation of Christ and not the world
Understood everyone needed to know Christ
A good-hearted honest question from a pious believing disciple
He obviously still expected an earthly kingdom
Jesus’ answer – Christ will manifest Himself to anyone who loves Him
Jesus would win the world one heart at a time
The kingdom resides in the heart of every believer
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

15. JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
What became of Judas?
Again we don’t know for certain
Tradition says Judas preached in Turkey, the kingdom of Edessa where he was shot to death with arrows around AD 72
Other traditions say he was crucified
Once again the case of God using a perfectly ordinary person in remarkable ways
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

16. Conclusion Three more common men
Men from different backgrounds
All proved to be useful to the Lord
We don’t have to be the most notable disciple to be useful
Our reward comes from God, not from notoriety among brethren or the world
Let us each be content doing what we can in service to the Lord (Mt 10:40-42)