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1 Click here for Arabic version The Prophet David foretold, by the Spirit of prophesy, that preaching the salvation will reach to the entire world by the holy twelve disciples and seventy apostles. He said, Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world (Ps 19:4). One of the events of the Old Testament also referred to their number; when Moses led his people to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters (Exodus 15:27). The twelve disciples in number match that of the tribes of Israel, while the number of the apostles matches that of the elders selected by Moses (Num 11:16-25). The accomplishment of their ministry fulfilled the words of the Lord describing the kingdom is like a mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field, and it grows to become a great tree, so that the birds come and nest in its branches (Matt 13:31-32). It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened (Matt 13:33). There is no doubt that all of them worked very hard in missionary work, and out of their love and obedience to the Lord, they were eager to fulfill His last command to them before His ascension, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mk 16:15). They therefore reached the three continents of the known world at their time, represented by the three measures of meal, converting the believers to the life of purity. The Lord Christ sent His apostles two by two (Lk 10:1), as He formerly sent His disciples (Mk 6:7), because Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up (Ecc 4:9-10). According to St. Augustine, the number two refers to the love for God and men; and the Lord sent them two by two because their mission was preaching love and fellowship between God and men, not just bare words of preaching and teaching. Another reason is because the testimony should be bore by two witnesses at least according to the Old Testament. Selection of the Disciples: Before selecting His disciples, the Lord Christ told them that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude (Mk 3:9-20). This small boat represents His church, in which He is present; and He called His church little flock by saying, Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Lk 12:32). When He shone into His little church, He attracted a multitude who came to touch Him by faith working through love to receive spiritual healing and to cast out the evil spirits (Mk 3:10-11). Although the Lord is not ceasing to work for the salvation of every soul, He selected His disciples and apostles, out of His love to mankind, to work by His Spirit, giving them power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons (Mk 3:15). He gave them His capabilities to work, not by their names, but by His name (Mk 9:38-41), and to work for the sake of His kingdom. He did 1 / 8

2 two acts prior to selecting His disciples:? He sternly warned the evil spirits that they should not make Him known (Mk 3:11-12) even when they bore a right testimony about Him, lest the people trust them and accordingly fall in their deception. He put His words into the mouth of His saintly disciples to preach His Gospel.? He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God (Lk 6:12). Thus He declared that His spiritual laborers in truth are only selected according to the divine will and not to the human opinions. He Himself encouraged us to pray for the selection of His servants by saying, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Lk 10:2). St Paul also says, No man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God (Heb 5:4). The wisdom of God is obvious here because He did not select the wise, rich, or nobles but the tax collectors, fishermen and sinners so that they may not think that by their potentials they were able to change the hearts to enjoy salvation. They will not be attracted to the authoritative power or richness but only to support the truth. According to (Matt 10:1-4; Mk 3:14-19; Lk 6:13-16; Act 1:13), the twelve disciples are: 1. Simon (called Cephas or Peter) meaning stone cut from a rock Jhn 1:35-42; Lk 5:11; Mk 1:29-31; 5:35-43; 8:31-33; Lk 8:49-56; Matt 16:13-19; 17:1-8, 24-27; 26:36; Jhn 13:3-10, 21-26; Lk 22:7-13, 31-34, 54-63; Jhn 20:1-10; 21:1-22 etc. Preached to: Judea, Samaria, Antioch, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Bithynia and some provinces of Asia Minor (to whom he wrote his 1st epistle) Celebrated on: 5 Epip / July Andrew meaning power, brave or courage Jhn 1:40; 6:8-9; 12:22 Preached to: Balkans, many provinces in Asia Minor (Byzantium or Istanbul), Scythia (between Caspian Sea and the Black Sea) and Achaia in Greece Celebrated on: 4 Koiah / December James son of Zebedee (Son of thunder) called James the Greater Matt 4:21-22; Mk 2:17; 5:35-43; Lk 8:49-56; Matt 17:1-8; 26:36; Act 12:1 Preached to: Judea, Samaria, and Spain Celebrated on: 5 Paremoude/ April John son of Zebedee (Son of thunder) called the beloved Jhn 1:40; Lk 8:49-56; Mk 5:35-43; Matt 17:1-8; Jhn 19:25-27, 18:15-16; Matt 26:36; Jhn 13:21-26; 20:1-10; 21:7 etc. 2 / 8

3 Preached to: Jerusalem and its surroundings, then Ephesus (in Turkey) and the seven cities in Asia Minor (mentioned in Book of Revelation) Celebrated on: 4 Tobi / January Philip, which means opening of oil lamp Jhn 1:44-45; 6:5-7; 12:20-22; 14:8-10 Preached to: Persia, Phrygia in Asia Minor then Hierapolis (near Colossi) Celebrated on: 18 Hathor / November Bartholomew, also called Nathanael Jhn 1:44-45; 21:2 Preached to: Yemen and Arab Peninsula (or India), then Armenia Celebrated on: 1 Thout / September Thomas or Didymus, meaning Twin Jhn 11:8, 16; 14:1-6; 20:26-29; 21:2 Preached to: Judea, Edessa, Parthia (Iraq and India), China, and maybe Arab Peninsula Celebrated on: 26 Pashons/June 3 8. Matthew the tax collector, meaning Gift Matt 9:9-24 Preached to: Judea, Ethiopia, and maybe Persia, Parthia (Iraq and India) Celebrated on: 12 Paopi / October James, the son of Alphaeus, a.k.a. the Just, the Less, and Brother of Jesus Gal 2:7-9; 1:18-19; Mk 15:40; 1Cor 15:3-7; Act 15 Preached to: Jerusalem Celebrated on: 10 Meshir / February Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus, a.k.a. Judas / Jude (not Iscariot), James brother, and called brother of Jesus Jhn 14:21-22 Preached to: Mesopotamia (Iraq), Arab Península, Persia, Edessa in Armenia Celebrated on: 2 Epip / July 9 3 / 8

4 11.Simon the Cananite (from Cana) or the Zealot Matt 10:4; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15; Act 1:13 Preached to: Syria, Mesopotamia (Iraq), and Persia Celebrated on: 15 Pashons/ May Matthias, meaning gift of God Act 1:15-26 Preached to: Judea, Samaria, parts of Asia Minor Celebrated on: 8 Paremhat/ March 17 No doubt that the disciples witnessed many miracles like that in Cana of Galilee (Jhn 2:1-11), feeding the multitude twice (Matt 14:14-21; 15:33-39), rising up Lazarus (Jhn 11) etc. besides many of His teachings like the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:1; Lk 6:20), and the events which followed His resurrection like His apparitions to them at the upper room (Jhn 20:19-26) and teaching them during the forty days (Act 1:1,2) and His ascension (Lk 24:50). The reason behind changing the disciples names (Mk 3:16, 17), according to St. John Chrysostom, is to indicate that He is the same of the Old Testament who changed the names of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, and Jacob to Israel; and He is the same who gave names to many before their birth like Isaac, Samson, Isaiah s son (Isa 8:3) and Hosea s children (Hos 1:4, 6, 9) etc. the new name comes with a new life for those who received new potentials and characters. The Disciples and Apostles: The disciple is the person who follows a certain teacher to learn from him (Matt 10:24; Lk 6:40), not only to receive teachings but to live according to those teachings. For example, Isaiah had many disciples (Isa 8:16), and also John the Baptist (Matt 9:14; Lk 7:18; Jhn 3:25), and likewise the Pharisees (Matt 22:16; Mk 2:18; Lk 5:33) and Moses (Jhn 9:28). On the other hand, the word Disciples is used for the followers of Jesus: a. In general meaning (Matt 10:42; Lk 6:17; Jhn 6:66) and it is the only title in the Gospels for the followers of Jesus. b. In particular referring to the twelve disciples (Matt 10:1; 11:1; 12:1 etc) whom He selected to match the number of the tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28). c. Used widely after the ascension in referring to those who believe in Christ the Lord and Messiah (Act 6:1, 2, 7; 9:36). And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Act 11:26). The word Apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos, meaning messenger, which derived from the verb apostellein meaning to send. So, apostle or messenger is a person 4 / 8

5 who was sent to some people (1Cor 9:1, 2). The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) used the same word/verb for sent/send (Gen 45:4-8; 1King 14:6).? In the New Testament, the word Apostle is used in referring to the Lord Christ Himself, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Heb 3:1) because the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world (1Jhn 4:14). St. John mentioned in his Gospel that the Father sent the Son (Jhn 7:28, 29; 8:42) to speak the words of God (Jhn 3:34), and to finish the work of God (Jhn 5:36; 6:29), to do the will of the Father (Jhn 6:38) and to give us eternal life (Jhn 17:2, 3).? The Lord Christ had many disciples during His ministry on earth, and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd (Lk 7:11; 6:17). Not all of them were apostles, but He selected the twelve from them, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles (Lk 6:13) sending them out to preach, and calling them apostles, He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach (Mk 3:13-19). St. Luke the Evangelist always called them apostles (Lk 9:10; 17:5; 22:14; 24:10), while St. John the Evangelist did not use this title at all. The brother of the Lord, St. James, for example, is called apostle (Gal 1:19; 2:9; 1Cor 15:7).? The Lord Jesus appointed seventy apostles besides the twelve, After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go (Lk 10:1).? Every apostle was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ (Jhn 7:18-26; 20:21-23), and he who receives him receives Christ (Matt 10:40), and he who hears him hears Christ (Lk 10:16). The word apostle was used in general meaning when Christ says, Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (Jhn 13:16, 17). It was also used for the messengers of the churches (2Cor 8:23; Php 2:25) as it was used for those who were sent by God to His people in the past, Therefore the wisdom of God also said, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute (Lk 11:49).? The word apostle / apostles comes 10 times in the Gospels, 28 times in the Book of Acts, 38 times in the epistles, and 3 times in the Book of Revelation. Majority of these references indicate that it refers to certain people who were invited by Christ for certain service at church. The first thing that comes to mind by mentioning the title apostle is one of the twelve, or one of the apostles, or even St. Paul. But this word is also used for many others like Barnabas (Act 14:4, 14). The apostle St. Paul mentioned Barnabas, as equal apostle, by saying, Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? (1Cor 9:6). Sts. Silvanus and Timothy (1Thes 1:1; 2:6) are considered apostles; like Andronicus and Junia who are of note among the apostles (Rom 16:7). St. Paul also mentioned Apollos with himself among the apostles who have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men (1Cor 4:6, 9). And he advised the Corinthians to take care of two brothers, whose names were not mentioned, and St. Paul called them messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ (2Cor 8:23). It was also necessary to declare that some people were considered false apostles, 5 / 8

6 deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ (2Cor 11:13). Therefore the meaning of the apostleship, in the early church, was not limited only to the twelve. St. John, in his revelation, declared that the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev 21:14); and St. Paul emphasized by saying, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20). Their Preaching: At the beginning of their preaching during the ministry of Christ, He defined the area of their preaching by the Jewish nation, and they shouldn t exceed it to reach any Samaritan city or to go to the way of the Gentiles, by saying, Do not go into the way, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt 10:5, 6). On the other hand, He defined the limits of their preaching in the same Gospel, prior to His ascension, by saying, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them (Matt 28:19). He didn t allow them to preach among the Gentiles but only after the Jews declared their rejection to the Messiah, not because He was taking the Jewish side, but to avoid any offences or doubts of the Jews towards His Messianic mission; and after their rejection, the door will be opened before the Gentiles. At the same time, the Lord Christ didn t deprive both the Samaritans and Gentiles from His ministry (Jhn 4; Matt 8:5-13; 15:21, 28). He also prevented them from preaching to the Samaritans who previously rejected His mission among them (Lk 9:51-53) so that they will not suffer depression if they were rejected at the beginning of their ministry. He sent them before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go (Lk 10:1) to prepare His way and to work under His Guidance while they are guiding others. He also defined the subject of their preaching i.e. repentance And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt 10:7) because repentance is the way leading to the heavenly kingdom. The disciples felt the divine grace given to them, as the Lord said to them, You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you (Jhn 15:16). He declared that He is responsible about their needs and will support them to be fruitful by His Spirit to fulfill their ministry without any negativity from their side, but rather they have to interact with Him, to work with Him and for Him. St. Augustine comments on the divine saying, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matt 10:16) by saying, Now consider, my Brethren, what he does. If but one wolf come among many sheep, be they ever so many thousands, they will all be put to confusion by one wolf in the midst of them: and though all may not be torn, yet all are frightened. What manner of design is this then, what manner of counsel, what manner of power, not to let in a wolf amongst the sheep, but to send the sheep against the wolves! I send you, saith He, as sheep in the midst of wolves; not to the neighborhood of wolves, but in the midst of wolves. There was then at that time a herd of wolves, and but few sheep. For when the many wolves killed the few sheep, the wolves were changed and became sheep. According to the Gospels and the Book of Acts, how the Lord sent them, after the resurrection, to the entire world (Matt 28:19, 20; Mk 16:14, 15; Lk 24:48, 49; Jhn 20:21-23; Act 6 / 8

7 1:6, 8). Their first duty was to select who will take the place of Judas Iscariot, on one condition that he should be one who had accompanied the Lord Jesus beginning from the baptism of John to the ascension of Christ, i.e. the period of all the events of salvation. Therefore St. Matthias was selected (Act 1:15-26) to be counted among the twelve. On the other hand, St. Paul was selected by the Lord Himself, but he was not counted among the twelve because he did not meet those conditions in spite of the fact that he was a witness of the resurrection (Act 26:16-18; 1Cor 9:1; 15:8). He was pushed to emphasize that many times to defend his apostleship (Act 9:15; Gal 1:11, 12, 15-17; Rom 1:1; Col 1:1; 9:1; 15:8). There is not substitution at all for the direct invitation for ministry from Christ. With the great power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles gave witness (Act 4:33). To receive this power from on high, they stayed in Jerusalem (Lk 24:49; Act 1:8). Their call was for forgiving sin by the authority of the Holy Spirit (Jhn 20:22, 23). They didn t realize the details of their call till the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit taught them all things, bring to their remembrance all things (Jhn 14:26), and guided them into all truth concerning the Lord Jesus (Jhn 16:13-15). Thus the Holy Spirit was testifying of Him through the apostles (Jhn 15:26, 27). The Holy Spirit also provided them with different gifts to fulfill their ministry which was accompanied with various signs and miracles (Lk 10:17-20; Act 2:43; 2Cor 12:2; Heb 2:4). The Book of Acts recorded for us the details of the apostles ministry in general, and in particular the ministry of the Evangelist St. Mark, St. Paul and his companion St. Luke the Evangelist, the writer of the Book. St. Luke recorded many details about the ministry of St. Paul during his three missionary trips, in addition to what St. Paul wrote in his epistles. He labored more abundantly than all the apostles (1Cor 15:10; 2Cor 11:23). After he preached in Damascus and in Syria, Tarsus, and Antioch, he preached in Cyprus and many provinces and cities of Asia Minor like Antioch Pesidia, Derbe, Lystra, provinces of Phrygia, Galatia, and Ephesus, then in the cities of Macedonia, and at Achaia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, and Corinth in Greece during his three missionary trips. Prior to his final trip to Rome, he wrote, From Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man s foundation (Rom 15:19-24). In other words, he accomplished preaching in the Hellenic world around the year 58 AD, then he started preaching in the Latin world till he reached Rome, and may have in Spain also (Rom 15:23, 24). The Evangelist St. Mark preached with Sts. Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary trip from Antioch to Cyprus, and he departed from them to Jerusalem at Perga in Pamphylia (Act 13:13). He also helped St. Paul in establishing some churches in Europe, and most importantly that of Rome. It is obvious that he also preached in some provinces in Asia Minor because St. Paul sent greetings from St. Mark to the Colossians (Col 4:10) indicating that he 7 / 8

8 was well known by them. He also preached in Africa, his main field of preaching, where he first preached in Pentapolis (Libya) then established the church of Alexandria in the year 60 AD, then he returned to Pentapolis, to depart to Rome, then finally to Egypt where he was martyred in 68 AD. The Apostle St. Paul bore a testimony about him mentioning him as the first of his fellow laborers (Phil 1:24), counting him as one of his few laborers (Col 4:10). During the 2nd imprisonment of St. Paul, prior to his martyrdom, he wrote to his disciple Timothy asking him to bring St. Mark with him for he is useful to St. Paul for ministry (2Tim 4:11). The Coptic Church celebrates the feast of the Apostles on 5 Abib/ July 12 every year which is mainly the feast of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. Most of the Apostles were martyred expect St. John the Evangelist. 8 / 8