The Twelve Apostles were chosen by Jesus Christ to be his closest followers and to serve as the foundational leaders of the early Christian Church. According to the Gospels, Jesus selected these twelve men during his earthly ministry and entrusted them with the task of proclaiming the Gospel, baptizing converts, and shepherding the fledgling Christian community. Here is a list of the Twelve Apostles along with brief descriptions:
Simon Peter: Also known simply as Peter, he was a fisherman from Galilee and became the leader of the apostles and the head of the early Church. Jesus gave him the name "Peter," which means "rock," and he is considered the first pope by Catholics.
Andrew: Simon Peter's brother, also a fisherman from Galilee. He was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus and is known for bringing his brother to Jesus. Andrew is traditionally regarded as the patron saint of Scotland.
James the Greater: Often referred to as James the Greater to distinguish him from James the Less. He was the brother of John and was one of the inner circle of disciples along with Peter and John. Tradition holds that he was the first apostle to be martyred.
John: Known as the "beloved disciple," John was the brother of James and one of the inner circle of disciples. He is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and the Book of Revelation.
Philip: From Bethsaida, he was one of the earliest disciples called by Jesus. He is known for his encounter with Nathanael and for questioning Jesus about the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
Bartholomew (Nathanael): Referred to as Bartholomew in the synoptic Gospels and as Nathanael in the Gospel of John. He was initially skeptical about Jesus but became a devoted follower after encountering him.
Matthew (Levi): A tax collector before becoming an apostle. He is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which emphasizes Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
Thomas (Didymus): Also known as "Doubting Thomas" because of his initial skepticism about Jesus' resurrection. He famously declared, "My Lord and my God" upon seeing Jesus risen from the dead.
James the Less (James the Just): Sometimes referred to as James the Less to distinguish him from James the Greater. He was likely a cousin or close relative of Jesus and played a prominent role in the early Christian Church in Jerusalem.
Thaddeus (Jude): Often referred to as Jude to avoid confusion with Judas Iscariot. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the Epistle of Jude, which warns against false teachings and encourages believers to contend for the faith.
Simon the Zealot: Little is known about him, but he is traditionally identified as Simon the Zealot, indicating that he may have been associated with the Zealot movement, which opposed Roman rule.
Judas Iscariot: Infamously known for betraying Jesus to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver. His betrayal led to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. After betraying Jesus, Judas experienced remorse and ultimately took his own life.
These Twelve Apostles played a central role in spreading the message of Jesus Christ and establishing the Christian Church. They were witnesses to Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, and they were commissioned to continue his mission after his ascension into heaven. Through their preaching, teaching, and martyrdom, they laid the foundation for the global spread of Christianity and the growth of the Church throughout the centuries.
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