(also called BARTHOLOMEW)
JN. 1:45, 46 JN. 1:49 JN. 1:51 JN. 21:2
Was witnessed to under a fig tree by Philip First to call Christ Son of God and King of Israel Heard Christ's first prediction (the ascension) Was present during Christ’s final miracle
MATTHEW (also called LEVI)
LK. 5:27 MT. 9:9 LK. 5:27-29
Was a Publican tax collector
Responded to Christ after a simple "follow me" invitation Hosted a large feast and shared his new faith
THADDAEUS (also called JUDE)
MK. 15:40 JN. 14:22
Brother of James the Less
Asked Christ how he would manifest himself
JAMES THE LESS
MK. 15:40
Title may refer to his size
THOMAS
SIMON THE ZEALOT
MT. 10:4; MK. 3:18 Member of a right-wing political party called the Zealots
JN. 11:16 JN. 11:16 JN. 14:5 JN. 20:24
JN. 20:25 JN. 20:28 JN. 21:2
JUDAS ISCARIOT
JN. 12:6 JN. 12:4-6 JN. 6:70, 71 MT. 26:15,16 LK. 22:3; JN. 13 JN. 13:26-30 JN. 18:2-4 MT. 26:49 MT. 27:3, 4 MT. 27:5 JN. 17:12;
2 THESS. 2:3
Was a twin
Despaired at Christ’s decision to raise Lazarus Asked Christ where he was going in the upper room
Absent during the first resurrection appearance in the upper room
Felt he could not believe unless he saw and touched Christ Fell at his feet after seeing Christ a week later Was present during Christ’s final miracle
Thought to be the only apostle from Judea Was a treasurer for the group Was a heartless thief
Given over to Satan even at beginning of ministry Agreed to betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver :27 Allowed Satan to actually enter into him Dipped the sop with Christ in the upper room Led soldiers to Gethsemane to arrest Christ Betrayed the Savior with a kiss Returned his blood money in great remorse Went out and hanged himself Will possibly be the coming antichrist
Philip:
1. His home was in Bethsaida.
2. He was an early disciple of John the Baptist, and a close companion of John the apostle (Jn. 1:43).
3. He brought Nathanael to Christ immediately after his own conversion (Jn. 1:40-46).
4. Jesus once tested his faith by asking him how 5,000 hungry men could be fed. Philip flunked the test (Jn. 6:5-7).
5. During the triumphal entry he was approached by some Greeks who desired to see Jesus. This may indicate that Philip was easier for a stranger to converse with than the other eleven were (Jn. 12:20-22).
6. He asked Jesus to "shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" in the upper room during the Last Supper (Jn. 14:8, 9).
7. Tradition tells he later went as a missionary to Phrygia and was martyred and buried at Hierapolis.
Bartholomew:
1. He is also called Nathanael (Jn. 1:45).
2. He was located under a fig tree by Philip (who may have been his brother) and persuaded to visit with Christ (Jn. 1:45, 46).
3. He was converted to Christ and became the first apostle to be told concerning the ascension (Jn. 1:50, 51). (Thus, the Savior predicted his own ascension even before his death and resurrection!)
4. Bartholomew (or Nathanael) was one of the seven apostles present at the fish breakfast prepared by the Savior on the Galilean shore (Jn. 21:2).
5. Legends say that later, in Armenia, he was flayed alive for his faith.
Matthew:
1. He was a Publican, a Roman tax collector, also called Levi (Lk. 5:27).
2. He was called by Christ by two simple words, "Follow me" (Mt. 9:9).
3. He prepared a great feast in his home before leaving and invited many of his sinner friends, doubtless to present Christ to them (Lk. 5:27-29).
4. A fifth-century church historian relates that he was martyred in Ethiopia where he had gone as a missionary.
Thomas:
1. He was a twin, for the word didymus (used in referring to him) means "twin." (See Jn. 11:16.)
2. He took a very dim view of Christ's decision to attend Lazarus' funeral. Upon hearing the announcement, this doubtful apostle sighed, "Let us go, that we may die with him" (Jn. 11:16).
3. He asked where Christ was going while they were in the upper room at the Last Supper (Jn. 14:5).
4. He was not present on that first Easter Sunday when Christ appeared to the apostles in the upper room (Jn. 20:24).
5. Because of his absence, he felt he could not believe their glad report. "Except I shall see
in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side ..." (Jn. 20:25).
6. He met the Savior eight days later and was invited to do just that. But Thomas rather fell at his feet and cried out, "My Lord and my God" (Jn. 20:28).
7. He was present with six other disciples when Jesus cooked breakfast on the Galilean shore (Jn. 21:2).
8. Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia, and India and that he suffered martyrdom near Madras, at Mount St. Thomas.
Jude:
1. He was the brother of James the Less (Mk. 15:40).
2. He was also called Thaddaeus (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18).
3. He asked the Savior just how Christ would "manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" (Jn. 14:22).
4. He gave his life for Christ in Persia, after preaching there and in Assyria also.
James the Less:
1. He was the brother of Jude, and may have been called "the less" because of his size (Mk. 15:40). (The word "less" is mikros in the Greek, and refers to something small in size.)
2. He preached in Palestine, and later in Egypt, where he was crucified.
Simon the Zealot:
1. He was a right-wing member of a political party called the Zealots (Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18).
2. Tradition says he was crucified.
Judas Iscariot:
1. He is thought to have lived near Hebron in Judah, and was thus the only non-Galilean among the twelve apostles.
2. He was the treasurer for the twelve (Jn. 12:6).
3. He was a heartless thief (Jn. 12:4-6).
4. He had committed himself to Satan at the beginning of Christ's ministry (Jn. 6:70, 71).
5. He made plans to betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver (Mt. 26:15, 16).
6. At this point Satan entered Judas and totally controlled him (Lk. 22:3; Jn. 13:27).
7. He received the sop from Jesus in the upper room, which marked him as the betrayer (Jn. 13:26, 27). The disciples, however, did not realize what Christ had done.
8. He led the band of soldiers to Gethsemane (Jn. 18:2-4).
9. He betrayed Christ with a kiss (Mt. 26:49).
10. In great remorse he returned the blood money and acknowledged to the indifferent Jewish priests his horrible sin (Mt. 27:3, 4).
11. He thereupon went out and hanged himself (Mt. 27:5).
12. He is thought by some to be the coming antichrist on the basis of Christ's statement in John 17:12, and Paul's words in 2 Thessaloni- ans 2:3.
B. Those connected with Jesus' miracles.
1. The ruler of a wedding feast in Cana who favorably commented on the wine Jesus had secretly made (Jn. 2:9, 10).
2. The nobleman whose son Jesus healed (Jn. 4:50).
3. The Capernaum demoniac Jesus healed on the Sabbath in the local synagogue (Mk. 1:25).
4. Simon Peter's mother-in-law, whom Jesus healed of a raging fever (Mt. 8:15).
5. A leper Jesus touched and healed during his first preaching tour (Mk. 1:40, 41).
6. A paralytic healed by Christ after he was lowered from the roof of a house by his four friends (Mk. 2:5).
7. A man with a withered hand healed on the Sabbath in a synagogue (Mk. 3:5).
8. A centurion possessing great faith, whose servant Jesus healed (Mt. 8:5-13).
9. A widow from Nain whose dead son was raised at his own funeral (Lk. 7:14).
10. A Gerasene demoniac, living among the tombstones, from whom Jesus cast forth 6,000 (a legion) evil spirits into some nearby swine (Mk. 5:2-19).
11. A woman whose twelve-year issue of blood was immediately healed upon touching the hem of Christ's garment (Mk. 5:28).
12. Jairus' daughter, who was raised from the dead in her own bedroom (Mt. 9:25).
13. Two blind men who were healed after they had followed behind Christ, begging for mercy (Mt.9:27-29).
14. A mute man who spoke when Jesus cast out the demon causing his affliction (Mt. 9:32, 33).
15. An invalid of thirty-eight years who was healed by Jesus in Jerusalem near the Temple (Jn. 5:8).
16. The daughter of a Syro-phoenician woman who was healed of a demon-caused affliction after her mother demonstrated great faith in Christ (Mk. 7:29).
17. A deaf man with a speech impediment who was healed after Christ touched both his ears and his tongue (Mk. 7:31-37).
18. A blind man of Bethsaida who saw clearly after Christ touched his eyes twice (Mk. 8:22-25).
19. A man born blind in Jerusalem, healed after he followed Christ's command and washed in the pool of Siloam (Jn. 9:7).
20. A fearfully demon-afflicted boy who was healed after his father brought him to Christ at the base of the mount of transfiguration (Mt. 17:18).
21. A demoniac, deaf and mute, whose healing by Jesus was attributed to the devil by the wicked Pharisees (Mt. 12:22-29).
22. A woman suffering from a satanic-induced eighteen-year affliction, who was healed on the Sabbath (Lk. 13:10-17).
23. A man with dropsy healed on the Sabbath (Lk. 14:1-4).
24. Ten lepers who were healed by Jesus in Samaria en route to Jerusalem. Only one returned to thank him (Lk. 17:15).
25. A dead man of four days named Lazarus, who was raised from his grave outside Bethany Qn. 11:43, 44).
26. An unnamed blind man healed by Jesus as he entered Jericho (Lk. 18:35-43).
27. A blind man named Bartimaeus healed by Jesus as he left Jericho (Mk. 10:46-52).
28. A servant of the high priest named Malchus whose severed ear (by the slashing sword of Simon Peter) was healed by Christ in Geth- semane (Jn. 18:10; Mt. 26:51).
C. Those connected with his parables.
1. Two builders, one wise and one foolish (Mt. 7:24-27).
2. A Pharisee named Simon whose critical attitude toward repentant sinners prompted a parable on forgiveness (Lk. 7:36-50).
3. A servant, forgiven of much by his king, who refused to forgive a little from one of his own debtors (Mt. 18:23-35).
4. The Good Samaritan and associates (Lk. 10:25-37).
5. A materialistic fool who sold his immortal soul for silver (Lk. 12:13-21).
6. A wicked servant who was caught red- handed by the unexpected return of his ruler (Lk. 12:45-48).
7. Three wedding guests who refused an invitation to attend the king's marriage. Two were fools and one was henpecked (Lk. 14:15-24).
8. A shepherd who sought for a sheep (Lk. 15:3-7).
9. A woman who searched for a lost coin (Lk. 15:8-10).
10. A father who forgave his younger prodigal son and lectured his older critical son (Lk. 15:11-32).
11. A dishonest steward and his self-serving actions (Lk. 16:1-7).
12. A saved beggar named Lazarus, a lost rich man, and a conversation with Abraham beyond the grave (Lk. 16:19-31).
13. A persistent widow who received justice from a weary judge (Lk. 18:1-8).
14. The prayer life of a haughty Pharisee and a humble Publican (Lk. 18:9-14).
15. A vineyard owner who justified his unusual actions before his questioning workers (Mt. 20:1-16).
16. A departing nobleman who entrusted ten pounds to his ten servants, one of which proved to be unfaithful (Lk. 19:11-27).
17. Two sons who changed their minds. One said he would obey his father, but didn't. The other said he would not, but did (Mt. 21:28-32).
18. A wedding guest who would pay dearly for refusing to wear the required wedding garment at the marriage of the king's son (Mt. 22:11-14).
19. Ten wedding guests, five of whom were wise, five foolish (Mt. 25:1-13).
20. Two faithful stewards and a foolish one (Mt. 25:14-30).
D. Various women in the Gospels.
1. Mary (there are four women in the Gospel accounts with this name) a. Mary of Bethany. She was the sister of Lazarus and of Martha (Jn. 11:1). Christ commended her on one occasion for put-
~ WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE -
ting first things first (Lk. 10:42). It was Mary who anointed Jesus' feet and head with expensive oil and wiped them with her hair (Mk. 14:3; Jn. 12:3; Mt. 26:6-13).
b. Mary, the mother of James and Joses. She may have been the wife of Cleopas (Lk. 24:18). Mary was at the cross (Mt. 27:56, 61), at his burial (Mk. 15:47), and came to the empty tomb (Mk. 16:1).
c. Mary Magdalene. Jesus cast seven demons from her (Mk. 16:9; Lk. 8:2). Mary was the first person to see the resurrected Christ 0n. 20:1-18).
d. Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus. This sweet virgin presented Christ to the world (Lk. 1-2). Later she was present when he worked his first miracle (Jn. 2:1-11). She carefully followed his later ministry (Mt. 12:46), and was present at the cross 0n. 19:25).
2. Salome (there are two Salomes referred to in the Gospel accounts)
a. Salome, the wife of Zebedee, and mother of James and John (Mt. 27:56; Mk. 15:40; 16:1). She helped him often in his ministry (Mk. 15:40, 41), and came to anoint his body on Easter morning (Mk. 16:1).
b. Salome, the daughter of Herodias and grandniece of Herod Antipas. Her sensuous dancing so stimulated Herod that as a reward she obtained the head of John the Baptist (Mt. 14:3-11; Mk. 6:17-28). Her name is not given in the Gospels.
3. Herodius. She was the wicked granddaughter of Herod the Great, who married her uncle Philip. Later she left him for his brother Herod Antipas. John the Baptist rebuked Herod for this immoral action (Lk. 3:19, 20). He was put in prison for this fearless preaching and later beheaded at her suggestion (Mt. 14:3-14; Mk. 6:14-29).
4. A poor widow. This woman was commended by the Savior when she dropped her only two mites into the Temple offering box (Lk. 21:1-4).
5. Elisabeth. She was the wife of Zacharias, and mother of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:5-57).
6. Anna. The daughter of Phanuel of Asher. Widowed after seven years of marriage, she became a prophetess, and at the age of eighty-four, when the infant Jesus was brought into the Temple to be dedicated, she recognized and proclaimed him as the Messiah (Lk. 2:36-38).
7. A weeping and repentant woman. This immoral woman showed her sorrow of repentance by washing his feet with her own tears and drying them with her hair in the home of a Pharisee named Simon (Lk. 7:36-38).
8. The Samaritan woman. She was converted at Jacob's well and, returning to her home, soon led the entire city population to meet Christ (Jn. 4:5-42).
9. Martha. She was the sister of Mary of Bethany and of Lazarus (Jn. 11:1). Christ gently reminded her on one occasion not to be
overly bothered about material things, but to seek his fellowship first (Lk. 10:41).
10. A woman taken in the act of adultery. She was brought to Jesus by the Pharisees, who demanded her death. Christ freely forgave her 0n. 8:1-11).
11. Two servant girls who accused Peter of being with Christ. This occurred during his trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin. Peter denied his Lord before both maidens (Mt. 26:69, 71).
E. Those connected with his birth.
1. The shepherds. These shepherds were the first to hear of his birth that night and were told by the angels themselves (Lk. 2:8-20).
2. Simeon. A righteous and devout man to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When the infant Jesus was brought into the Temple, he took him into his arms and praised God (Lk. 2:25-34).
3. Anna. This elderly widow also praised Jesus at the Temple dedication (Lk. 2:36-38).
4. The wise men. These devout astronomers and religious leaders, perhaps from Persia, followed Jesus' star and, when they had found him, bowed in worship and presented their gifts (Mt. 2:1-16).
F. Those connected with his death and resurrection.
1. The Temple guard. These men arrested Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:47).
2. The Roman soldiers. They ridiculed him (Mt. 27:27, 28), crucified him, and cast lots for his garment (Mt. 27:35). Later a group was stationed at his tomb (Mt. 27:62-66).
3. Barabbas. He was a convicted criminal who was chosen over Christ to be set free by the Jewish mob (Mt. 27:16).
4. Simon of Cyrene. He was from the country of Cyrene (and the father of two boys, Alexander and Rufus), who were forced by the Romans to aid Christ in the carrying of his cross (Mk. 15:21).
5. Two false witnesses. These wretches attempted to twist the words of Christ concerning the Temple and his resurrection by taking them totally out of context. This occurred at Jesus' trial (Mt. 26:60, 61).
6. A petty official who slapped Jesus during his trial 0n. 18:22).
7. Two dying thieves. One died saved, the other lost (Lk. 23:32, 39-43).
8. A centurion. A Roman commander at the cross who, after witnessing the fearful accompanying signs, acknowledged that Jesus was indeed the Son of God (Mt. 27:54).
9. Joseph of Arimathea. A rich and brave believer who obtained permission to carry the body of Christ from the cross to his own personal tomb (Mt. 27:57-60).
10. Cleopas. One of two disciples (the other was probably his wife, Mary) before whom the resurrected Savior appeared on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-18).
G. Priests
1. Zacharias—the husband of Elisabeth and father of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:5, 59, 60).
~ HIS SEVENTY-TWO STEPS FROM GLORY TO GLORY ~
2. Annas—the corrupt high priest emeritus and father-in-law to the official high priest, Caia- phas. Jesus was first tried before this hateful old man 0n. 18:13).
3. Caiaphas—Jesus was brought before him for the second illegal trial, the night preceding his crucifixion (Jn. 18:24).
H. Rulers
1. Nicodemus—a ruler of the Jews, converted by Christ himself (Jn. 3:1).
2. Augustus Caesar—the Roman ruler who issued the enrollment decree at the time of Christ's birth (Lk. 2:1).
3. Tiberius Caesar—the successor of Augustus who reigned during the ministry of Christ (Lk. 3:1).
4. Herod (there were three Herods in the Gospel accounts)
a. Herod the Great (39 b.c. to 4 b.c.). He was an Edomite who, with Rome's approval, proclaimed himself king of Palestine in 39 b.c. It was this Herod who attempted to kill the child Jesus (Mt. 2:1-16).
b. Herod Archelaus (4 b.c. to a.d. 6). Eldest son of Herod the Great who inherited Judea upon the death of his father (Mt. 2 : 22 ).
c. Herod Antipas (4 b.c. to a.d. 39), younger son of Herod the Great, who took Galilee. He ruled for the most part during Jesus' earthly life. His adulterous marriage was condemned by John the Baptist (Mk. 6:18; Lk. 3:19, 20). Christ referred to him as "that fox" (Lk. 13:32). The Savior also stood before Herod during one of his unfair trials (Lk. 23:5-12).
d. Pilate. The Roman procurator of Judea from a.d. 26-36 (Mk. 15:1).
5. The family of Christ
a. Mary (Mt. 1:8).
b. Joseph (Mt. 1:19) was a gentle carpenter living in Nazareth.
c. After Christ's supernatural birth, Mary and Joseph had natural children, raising at least four recorded sons. These were: James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (Mt. 13:55). They did not believe in Christ prior to the resurrection. (See Jn. 7:5.)
6. Some would-be-converts
a. A certain scribe, who refused to follow Christ because of the hardships involved (Mt. 8:19, 20).
b. Another disciple, who did not because of his parents (Mt. 8:21, 22).
c. A rich young ruler, who failed due to his love for money (Mt. 19:16).
d. A certain young man. This unknown man had apparently followed Christ for awhile, but fled in panic from the Garden of Gethsemane, leaving his coat in the hands of the arresting soldiers (Mk. 14:51, 52).
7. Associates of John the Baptist
a. John himself. Jesus said there had never lived a greater man than this fearless and loyal prophet of God (Mt. 11:11).
b. John's disciples. These disciples approached Christ on two occasions. The first concerned a question on his life style (Mt. 9:14), and the second on his deity (Mt. 11:2, 3).
8. Children
a. Jesus ordered little children to be brought to him for blessing (Mk. 10:14).
b. He used a child for an illustration of salvation (Mk. 9:36).
c. He used the lunch of a little lad (Jn. 6).
d. Children sang his praises in the Temple (Mt. 21:15).
9. Supernatural beings
a. Satan (Mt. 4:1).
b. demons (Mk. 1:23, 24; 3:11; 5:8, 9; Lk. 9:42).
c. Gabriel, the archangel
(1) His ministry to Mary (Lk. 1:28).
(2) His ministry to Zacharias (Lk. 1:11).
(3) His ministry to Joseph (Mt. 1:20, 24;
2:13, 19).
(4) His ministry to the shepherds (Lk.
2:9).
d. Other angels
(1) Aiding at his birth (Lk. 2:13, 14).
(2) Aiding during the temptation (Mk.
1:13).
(3) Aiding during Gethsemane (Lk.
22:43).
(4) Aiding during the resurrection (Mt.
28:2; Jn. 20:12).
10. The Trinity
a. the Father (Mt. 3:17; Jn. 12:28; Mt. 17:5)
b. the Holy Spirit (Mt. 3:16; 4:1)
11. General individuals
a. Two lawyers. One tempted him concerning the Ten Commandments (Mt. 22:35), and the other on the subject of eternal life (Lk. 10:25).
b. Simon the leper. A leper Jesus once healed who held a supper for the Savior just prior to his triumphal entry (Mt. 26:6).
c. Some Greeks. This group desired to see him during the triumphal entry Sunday in Jerusalem (Jn. 12:20).
d. The seventy. A special group Jesus sent out to do a house-to-house religious census of Palestine (Lk. 10:1).
e. Theophilus. A friend of Luke's to whom he wrote both his Gospel account (Lk. 1:3), and the book of Acts (Acts 1:1).
f. A sincere scribe. Jesus said this man was not far from the kingdom of God (Mk. 12:32).
THE EARLY CHURCH STAGE
INTRODUCING
THE EARLY CHURCH STAGE (Acts)
This stage covers a period of approximately thirty-eight years, from the miracle of Pentecost to the martyrdom of Paul. It is a wonderful story of Christian witness. The action centers around two great "crusades," the greater Jerusalem crusade (Acts 1-12), headed up by Peter, and the global crusade (Acts 13-28), led by Paul. The associates involved in their campaigns were John the apostle, Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, and Luke.
The record tells us of the first deacons (Acts 6:1-5), martyrs (James and Stephen; see 8:60; 12:2), and missionaries (Acts 13:1-13). Believers are first called Christians during this time (11:26).
The account also relates the final two biblical resurrections of individuals: Dorcas (9:40, 41) and Eutychus (20:9-12). The preaching of the gospel is viciously attacked by the devil during this period. He attempts to bar it (4:18; 5:28), to buy it off (8:18), and finally, to blur it (16:16-18).
Both angels and demons are seen in action. An angel protects an apostle (Peter, Acts 12:7, 8) and plagues a king (Herod, Acts 12:23). Demons possess sorcerers (8:9;
13:6-10), damsels (16:16-18), and vagabonds (19:13-16). Both revivals (19:18-20) and riots (19:28-34) break out.
The Early Church Stage lists three significant conversions. The first is the eunuch (8:36-38), a descendant of Ham (Gen. 10:6-20); the second is Saul (Acts 9:1-6), a descendant of Shem (Gen. 10:21-31); and the third is Cornelius (Acts 19:44-48), a descendant of Japheth (Gen. 10:2-5).
The convert number jumps from 120 (1:15), to 3120 (2:41), to 8120 (4:4) to untold multitudes (5:14). Paul preaches before prisonkeepers (16:25-34), philosophers (17:16-31), Pharisees (23:6), and potentates (24:24, 25; 26:24-28).
Finally, the story that opens with an upper room prayer meeting (Acts 1:14) closes with a prison room praise meeting (2 Tim. 4:6-8, 18).
ACTS
I. The Holy Land—Greater Jerusalem Crusade, Headed up by Peter, the Fisherman (1—12; 1:1—8:40; 9:32— 11:18; 12:1-24)
A. The activities of Peter:
1. Peter and the 120 (1:1-26).
a. Luke writes his second letter to Theophi-
ACTS of the Apostles
OPERATION HOLY LAND
CHAPTERS 1-12
The Greater Jerusalem Crusade
HEADED UP BY PETER, THE FISHERMAN
ASSISTED BY
JOHN, STEPHEN, and PHILIP
OPERATION WHOLE EARTH
CHAPTERS 13-28
The Global Crusade
HEADED UP BY PAUL, THE TENTMAKER ASSISTED BY BARNABAS, SILAS, MARK TIMOTHY, and LUKE
~ ACTS ~