Matthew 10:2-4

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Point of Interest

• We find the names of the 12 disciples in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, and Luke 6:13-16.
• Jesus Christ selected the 12 disciples from among his early followers to become his closest companions.
• After an intensive discipleship course and following His resurrection from the dead, the Lord fully commissioned the apostles.
  • There were twelve Jewish men whom Jesus call to follow Him during His three-year ministry on earth.
  • All of the disciples were from the Galilee region, except for Judas who was from Judea.
  • Their occupations ranged from tax- collectors, fisherman and revolutionaries.
  • Some were married.(Peter/Simon) (Mark1:29-31 & 1 Cor. 9:3-6).
    • Some were well versed in Scripture
      • Their occupations ranged from fisherman, tax collectors and revolutionaries.
      • Some were married.  (Mark1:29-31 &1Cor. 9:3-6), (John 1:46)
      • These men became the pioneering leaders of the New Testament church, but they were not without faults and shortcomings.
      • Interestingly, not one of the chosen 12 disciples was a scholar or rabbi.
      • They had no extraordinary skills. Neither religious, nor refined, they were ordinary people, just like you and me.

Their Purpose

• After being baptized by John the Baptist and spending forty days in the wilderness, Jesus started teaching and many people started following him.
• God chose them for a purpose.
• These twelve men would be Jesus’ main focus of instruction.
• To spread the gospel that would go across the face of the earth and continue to burn bright throughout centuries to follow.
• God selected and used each of these regular guys to carry out his exceptional plan.
• (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15) to advance God’s kingdom and carry the gospel message to the world
• These disciples were selected to let the world know of God’s love, that God sent Jesus to redeem the world. (John 17:23).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     John 17:23

I in them and you in me.  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Mark 16:15

He said to them, “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Their Mission

• Their instruction and conversations would become the teaching , knowledge, and instruction for the church.
• Jesus knew these men would disappoint Him, desert Him, deny Him, and betray Him.
• Once filled with the Holy Spirit these men would be the first Witnesses of the gospel.They would be the first to carry God’s message of redemption to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

• These twelve men were to be bless all the nations (Gal.3:8).
• They were commanded to go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy spirit (Matthew 28:19).