Studying the Apostles
James and John: “Sons of Thunder”, Jesus gave them this thunderous title because of their intense anger. In Luke 9:54-56, when a Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus, the brothers angrily asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"
Cliff’s comment: Oh, how I am truly beginning to understand the true love of a brother, both literally and spiritually! When we study humanity and the apostles, we all suffer the same struggles, whether being honest or dishonest, including the fear/s and after accepting and growing with faith in Holy Spirit. When I study the apostles, I learn more about the truth (myself) and it can be hard to face, the ignorance in the depths of my soul, only this time, I don’t feel abandoned or all alone. -Cliff Tompkins
Peter also known as Simon Peter: Peter was known for acting impulsively and speaking before he thought. He famously denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear and later clashed publicly with Paul over social segregation from Gentile believers. Wikipedia
Andrew: Peter's brother and a fisherman. Wikipedia
Paul: Before his conversion, Paul (then Saul) fiercely persecuted and actively hunted down early Christians. Even after becoming an apostle, he was known for being uncompromising, blunt, and engaging in sharp disagreements with fellow leaders like Barnabas and Peter. Wikipedia
James: (The brother of Jesus, also known as “James the Just”) He did not believe in Jesus during Jesus's earthly ministry, but became a leader after seeing the resurrected Jesus. He became the head of the church in Jerusalem and is widely regarded as the author of the New Testament Epistle of James. He was martyred around 62 AD. Cliff’s comment: Isn’t that like family members, even today? Wikipedia
James: (Son of Zebedee and known as James the Great) He was a fisherman, the brother of the apostle John, and one of Jesus's inner three disciples (along with Peter and John). He was executed by King Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD, making him the first apostle martyred. Wikipedia
James: (Son of Alphaeus and known as James the less/younger) He was also one of the twelve apostles, but the Gospels record no speaking parts or major events for him. Notice: Some traditions suggest he may be the same person as Jesus’ half brother or James the son of Mary of Clopas. Wikipedia
John: (Son of Zebedee)James's brother and part of Jesus's inner circle. Wikipedia
Who was John, the prophet (John of Patmos)? Some scholars say that John of Patmos is not to be confused with the Apostle John (son of Zebedee). Who wrote the Books of John and who wrote the Book of Revelation? And, how can you be sure? Whether John of Patmos is the same person as John the Apostle is a long-standing question with no universal agreement between traditional faith and modern scholarship. Wikipedia Cliff’s comment: Wouldn’t you know that I love the studies in the Book of Revelation. Who is the biological father of John of Patmos? The apostle John was the son of Zebedee, brother of James. The controversy of John is interesting.
Philip: from Bethsaida. Wikipedia
Bartholomew: (often identified as Nathanael). Wikipedia
Simon, the Zealot: (or Simon the Cananaean). Wikipedia
Thomas: Sometimes called the twin or "Doubting Thomas". Wikipedia
Thaddaeus: (also referred to as Jude or Judas, son of James). Note: Traditions and scholars debate whether Thaddeus wrote the biblical book of Jude, because Thaddeus is frequently identified with Jude the Apostle (also called Judas Thaddaeus). Cliff’s comment: We weren’t there in history but, could it be that Thaddeus and Jude are the same person in Christian tradition, referring to one of the original 12 apostles of Jesus. He is most commonly known as Saint Jude Thaddeus. Wikipedia
If not, why isn’t there any mention of another Jude anywhere? -Cliff
Judas Iscariot: who betrayed Jesus and was later replaced by Matthias. Wikipedia
Matthew: the former tax collector also known as Levi. Wikipedia