A Note to Parents and Teachers Originally, this book on the life and lessons of the Apostles was used as a series of Bible class lessons for the children of the Columbus Bible Students Ecclesia and for the Indiana and Ohio Bible Students Convention Children's Program. The Columbus brethren have decided to make this available to others in their endeavor to bless their children. We have just a few suggestions which might help you to enhance the value of the lessons. The primary emphasis of this book is to not only show events in the lives of the Apostles, but also to point out various character lessons appropriate to the growth of a Christian. The material is “deep” and not watered down; however the lessons were shared with ages eight and up and were well accepted. The children were eager to hear the stories, and although some words and concepts were a little advanced, they found the lessons a challenge. Questions were encouraged, and where needed the Bible class teacher would stop the reading to be sure all understood. We would like to encourage parents and Bible class teachers to either read the lessons out loud themselves or pick children who can read with ease. This will help the train of thought in getting across difficult concepts. In addition, since many experiences in the lives of the Apostles are included as very sketchy summaries, the scripture citations are critical to understand the lessons. Reviewing the Expanded Biblical Comments book will give additional lessons if desired. For your information, the New American Standard and King James translations are used, and at times scriptures are paraphrased to help in understanding. We also suggest that even if the lessons are covered in Bible class, parents should also go through these with their children. This way the process of learning and respect will revert back to the parent. Some of the thoughts presented were developed from various Bible dictionaries; however, the majority of the lessons shown in the Apostles’ experiences were gleaned from the Reprints. Although there are more Reprint articles involved than those noted, where there may be a suggestions as to particular thought, a reference is cited. A review committee of several elders from Columbus and other ecclesias have submitted approval of these lessons as harmonious with the harvest message of truth. We present this book with the hope that our children might be fortified for the times ahead. They are fertile ground for planting seeds of truth and righteousness. Many of them may walk hand in hand with the Ancient Worthies in bringing the world of mankind up the Highway of Holiness. Let us do what we can to prepare them for this. And if the Lord calls them to a position in the body of Christ, let us rejoice that we have witnessed His truth to them, and He has provided the increase. With Sincere Christian Love, Your Brethren in Columbus, Ohio June 1, 1994 Chapter One The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb Their Calling and Mission The word Apostle means "one sent forth as a messenger," one chosen and sent with a special mission as the fully authorized representative of the sender. In the beginning of his ministry, Jesus looked for twelve such messengers whom he would teach and prepare to bring forth his special message of the Gospel. These twelve were Simon Peter, Andrew, James the brother of John, John, Philip, Nathanael who was also called Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the Less, Jude Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot who was later replaced by Paul. Matt. 10:2-5 Jesus said that his heavenly Father guided and directed him to choose these twelve, and so he gave much attention to his close companions. Through his example and guidance, he taught them the truth and its importance, how to preach it and how to live it in their lives. These twelve Apostles were to be special witnesses of the persecution, death and resurrection of their aster, Jesus. Because of this, they are known as the founders and special teachers of the Gospel Church. "I have manifested Thy name unto the men [the Apostles] which Thou gavest me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given me are of Thee; for I have given unto them the words [the doctrine] which Thou gavest me, and they have received them… I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me; for they are Thine… Neither pray I for these [Apostles] alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word [the entire Gospel Church—to the end of the age]; that they all may be one [in heart and purpose and love]; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us—that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me"—[to redeem and restore them]. John 17:6-9, 20 & 21 with quote from Reprint 1521- 1522 When Jesus started looking for his twelve Apostles, he didn’t look in the Jewish synagogues for the finely dressed, righteous acting scribes and pharisees. Jesus didn’t look for his twelve among the rich rulers and popular public speakers of his day. No, Jesus looked for twelve men who were living and working in the humbler walks of life. Five were fishermen, one was of the despised publicans, and the occupations of the others are not mentioned. Reprint 1521 All, but Judas, were from Galilee and none of the original twelve received higher education. Acts 2:7 This should tell us something when looking at our brethren. The Lord often uses some of the most humble and meek brethren to carry out his grand eternal purposes. "...not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called… that no flesh should glory in his presence." 1Cor. 1:26- 29 These twelve men of humble means were chosen to live with the most magnificent of all God’s creation, His only begotten Son! Jesus blessed his Apostles with special gifts of the spirit to heal the sick. The Apostles could have used this spiritual wealth to acquire worldly wealth as many so-called preachers of the Gospel do today. But, no, they never accepted wages for their Gospel work. They chose instead to live humbly within their means. Sometimes they worked at different jobs, so they would have enough temporal means to work more in the Lord’s spiritual service. The Apostles lived very closely with God’s Son for the three and a half years of his ministry, and yet, they didn’t understand his real mission until after his death on the cross. They thought that Jesus had come at that time to set up an earthly kingdom with Israel as the ruling nation. But this was only part of Jesus’ purpose which would be fulfilled almost 2,000 years after his death. No, Jesus tried to tell them over and over again that he was not sent to set up a temporal or national kingdom, but a spiritual one in heaven. He said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36 It was not until 50 days after Jesus’ death, at what is called Pentecost, that the Holy Spirit of God came upon the Apostles, and they finally understood both Jesus’ and their own mission. That mission was to call out a people for God’s name by establishing a Church of believers in Jesus who would give up all to follow him. They realized then that Israel was just one part of God’s plan, and that all of the previous experiences of Israel were designed to be a teacher to lead them to Christ. They also realized that Jesus had to die to pay the price for the sin of Adam–a perfect life for a perfect life. And, by witnessing the resurrection of their Lord, they realized that there would be more than just the kingdom promise of restored perfect life and all that was lost in Adam, but that there would be a spiritual resurrection of all who would give up their lives to be faithful followers of Jesus during the Gospel Age. The Holy Spirit at Pentecost also taught them that their message would cause great persecution upon Jesus’ followers, just as it did their master. 2 Tim. 3:12 It is this mission of spreading the Gospel truth which the Apostles were sent out to accomplish. Because of their love for God, Jesus and their brethren, they lived, worked and died to bring us this message. How all should love and respect their zeal for truth. All should be very grateful for their Bible messages to the Church. And all should thank God that He provided the twelve Apostles of the Lamb who are a strong foundation for the Church. Rev. 21:14 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16, 17 Chapter Two The Apostle Andrew Andrew, the son of Jonah and Joanna, was from Bethsaida in Galilee. He was a young man who had little interest in worldly pursuits. Though he was a fisherman by trade, his main interest in life was his God. He was a follower of John the Baptist when Israel was in expectation of the Messiah. John the Baptist showed Andrew and others who sincerely sought after righteousness, the terrible wickedness of the religious rulers of Israel. John the Baptist was the last of the faithful prophets to proclaim the promised "King of kings." As a result of John the Baptist’s ministry, Andrew grew more and more to think about the matters of the heart rather than the matters of fishing. Andrew’s heart was being prepared for an event which would shortly change his life. It is quite possible that he witnessed the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Matt. 3:13-17 After Jesus was baptized, he went up into the wilderness to pray and be alone with God. This was a time when Jesus would receive instruction from God as to all that he was to do. It is very likely that Jesus would learn about selecting the twelve Apostles sent by special providence of God. On his journey back to Nazareth, Jesus passed by John the Baptist who was still preaching to his followers of God’s kingdom. When John saw Jesus he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 NAS This so thrilled Andrew’s heart that he left John the Baptist’s ministry the very next day and began to follow Jesus. Andrew was probably one of the first who would witness to others about Jesus, for right after he talked to Jesus, Andrew ran to find Simon Peter, his brother, to tell him of Jesus. He said, "Simon, come! We have found the Messiah!" John 1:35 & 40-41 Shortly after Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus, they were invited with Jesus to a wedding in Cana where they would witness the first miracle ever performed by their new Master. John 2:1-11 There, Jesus turned vessels of water into wine. This was truly a wonder for Andrew and Peter to observe, however, it was not until they witnessed a miracle performed especially for them that they sold their fishing business and gave up all else to follow Jesus. Andrew, Peter and their partners in the fishing business had been up all night fishing and they still had nothing caught in their nets. The next day, Jesus told them to cast their nets out and try again. To their amazement, they caught such a great haul of fish that their boats began to sink from the weight. This is what convinced Andrew and Peter that the man who was preaching in their midst was worthy of their very lives. This was a man sent of God! Matt. 4:18-22 & Luke 5:1-11 Andrew would witness many more of Jesus’ miracles and teachings and would go on to perform miracles himself. He was present at the feeding of the five thousand by the Sea of Galilee, where he is mentioned as having introduced to Jesus the young boy who had the five loaves and two fishes. John 6:1-14 He was also present at the Mount of Olives where Peter, James, John and he inquired diligently about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. Mark 13:1-4 Andrew was a privileged witness to Jesus’ short but wonderful ministry and was faithful in sharing his love of Jesus to others. Because of this faithful ministry in preaching the Gospel of Christ, Andrew is said to died a painful death on the cross. It is also said of Andrew that he brought the Gospel message to Ephesus with the Apostle John, and to Greece, Russia, and Asia. Of course, this is not recorded in the Bible and is only a history of the Apostle Andrew passed down from tradition. But this one thing is clear, Andrew was provided every experience needed to be a most capable Apostle of the Lamb and a faithful foundation of the Church. Chapter Three The Apostle Peter During Jesus' Ministry Simon Peter was the brother of the Apostle Andrew and shared a fishing business with him. There is more written about the Apostle Peter than any other Apostle. This is probably because Peter was an excellent picture of how powerful God’s Holy Spirit is in changing rough, unstable characters into shining Christian examples as stable as a rock! Peter often acted first and thought second. Even when Jesus came to Peter and Andrew and performed the miracle of the great haul of fish to convince them to leave all and follow him, Peter said, "Depart from me O Lord for I am a sinful man." Luke 5:1-11 This showed Peter’s true humility, and yet, at the same time, it showed that Peter thought he knew what was best for him to do. But Jesus lovingly understood Peter and replied, "Do not fear, from now on you will be fishers of men." Shortly after Peter left his fishing business to follow Jesus, Peter experienced another miracle of Jesus. One day, the Lord and his Apostles all assembled in Peter’s house. There, the mother of Peter’s wife was very sick with a fever. "And he [Jesus] came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them." Mark 1:29-31 Peter’s wife would have been most grateful to the Lord for this miracle. It is quite possible that she supported Peter in his decision to follow Jesus, because throughout the Gospels, Peter’s house was considered one of hospitality. The many experiences of Peter with his Lord have provided beautiful lessons to all of Jesus’ followers. Matthew 14:22-33 shows of Peter’s love and trust in his master. When Jesus called Peter to walk to him on the water, Peter quickly did so. But when the waves became rough, Peter began to sink and he called to the Lord for help. This shows the Christian that when his experiences of life become like rough waves in the ocean, he is to keep focusing straight ahead Jesus for help and strength, and to trust that Jesus will provide all his needs. Phil. 4:19 Another experience of Peter’s life is found in Matthew 16:13- 16. One day when Jesus asked his Apostles "who do you say that I am," all but Peter were unsure. Peter answered that Jesus was "The Christ, [the long promised Messiah-the anointed one] the Son of the living God." Jesus used this as a lesson and always loved Peter especially because of this. He changed Peter’s name from Simon to Peter. Peter means small stone or rock. He was the only one of the original twelve Apostles to have his name changed by Jesus. Jesus then told Peter that upon this rock of truth–that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God*– would lay the foundation for the whole Church. Then Jesus said that Peter would receive the keys to preach the Gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles. Peter did not completely understand what this meant because he didn’t have the Holy Spirit. But soon he would be the first to deliver the Gospel to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Matt. 16:13-19 *Note that Jesus here refers to himself as the "Son of God" and not as God. There are many wonderful studies in the Reprints and the Studies in the Scriptures on the relationship of Jesus to his Heavenly Father. Also note that Peter’s name was actually changed earlier when Jesus first met Peter. See John 1:42 for this lesson.