Apostles

Question 1

Peter (Simon) – Apostle

Answer 1

Fisherman from Bethsaida, brother of Andrew — Matt 4:18

Leader of the Twelve, spokesman for apostles — Matt 16:16–19

Preaches at Pentecost (3000 converted) — Acts 2

Heals lame man, confronts Sanhedrin — Acts 3–4

Opens door to Gentiles (Cornelius) — Acts 10

Wrote 1 & 2 Peter (theme: suffering, steadfastness)

Tradition: Bishop of Rome, crucified upside down c. AD 64

Question 2

Andrew – Apostle

Answer 2

First called by Jesus, introduces Peter — John 1:40–42

Brings Greeks to Jesus — John 12:20–22

Present at feeding miracles — John 6

Tradition: Evangelized Black Sea region, Scythia, Greece

Crucified on X-shaped cross in Patras, preached from the cross 2 days

Question 3

James (son of Zebedee) – Apostle

Answer 3

Brother of John, part of inner three (with Peter/John) — Mark 5:37

Witness to Transfiguration — Mark 9

Asked for position at Jesus’ right hand — Mark 10:35–40

First apostolic martyr — Acts 12:1–2

Tradition: Body taken to Spain (Compostela pilgrimage tradition)

Question 4

John (son of Zebedee) – Apostle

Answer 4

“Beloved Disciple,” author of Gospel, 3 Epistles, Revelation

Took care of Mary — John 19:26–27

Stays faithful through Passion — John 18–19

Tradition: Bishop of Ephesus, last surviving apostle, dies c. AD 90

Themes: love, truth, eternal life

Question 5

Philip – Apostle

Answer 5

Brings Nathanael to Jesus — John 1:45

Questions feeding of 5000 — John 6:5–7

Requests to see the Father — John 14:8–9

Tradition: Preached in Phrygia, martyred at Hierapolis, either crucified or stoned

Linked with early evangelism to Gentiles

Question 6

Bartholomew (Nathanael) – Apostle

Answer 6

Called by Jesus, praises His omniscience — John 1:48–51

Thought to have traveled with Philip in missions

Tradition: Preached in India, Armenia, Arabia

Martyred by flaying or beheading (Armenian tradition)

Question 7

Matthew (Levi) – Apostle

Answer 7

Tax collector turned disciple — Matt 9:9

Hosted banquet for Jesus — Luke 5:29

Author of Gospel emphasizing Jesus as Messiah/King

Tradition: Preached in Ethiopia, Persia, maybe Parthia

Martyred by sword or spear

Question 8

Thomas (Didymus) – Apostle

Answer 8

Known for doubting but makes strong confession — John 20:28

Missionary beyond Roman Empire’s borders

Tradition: Brought Gospel to India (Mar Thoma church traces roots to him)

Martyred by spear near Chennai (Mylapore), AD 72

Question 9

James (son of Alphaeus) – Apostle

Answer 9

Possibly “James the Less” — Mark 15:40

Little recorded in NT

Tradition: Evangelized Egypt

Martyred by stoning or clubbing (sometimes conflated with James the Just)

Question 10

Thaddaeus (Judas son of James) – Apostle

Answer 10

Asked Jesus about revealing Himself — John 14:22

Tradition: Evangelized Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia with Simon the Zealot

Martyred by clubbing or arrows

Question 11

Simon the Zealot – Apostle

Answer 11

Former nationalist/Zealot — Luke 6:15

Shows Gospel’s power to unite zealots and tax collectors (with Matthew)

Tradition: Missionary to Persia with Thaddaeus, martyred (sawed or crucified)

Question 12

Matthias – Apostle

Answer 12

Replaces Judas Iscariot — Acts 1:23–26

Witness to Jesus’ baptism & resurrection

Tradition: Evangelized in Cappadocia & Ethiopia

Martyred by stoning/beheading

Question 13

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) – Apostle to the Gentiles

Answer 13

Birth & Background: Born in Tarsus (Acts 22:3), Roman citizen (Acts 22:28), trained under Gamaliel as a Pharisee (Acts 22:3), zealous persecutor of church (Acts 8:1–3).

Conversion: Encounters risen Christ on road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–9), baptized by Ananias (Acts 9:10–18).

Early Ministry: Preaches in Damascus, escapes in basket (Acts 9:20–25). Goes to Arabia (Gal 1:17), later to Antioch with Barnabas (Acts 11:25–26).

Question 14

Paul – Missionary Journeys (1st & 2nd)

Answer 14

1st Journey: Acts 13–14 — with Barnabas, travels to Cyprus & Galatia (Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe). Faces persecution, plants churches, returns to Antioch.

Council of Jerusalem: Acts 15 — argues for Gentile freedom from circumcision.

2nd Journey: Acts 16–18 — with Silas (Barnabas takes Mark separately), revisits Galatia, receives Macedonian call, plants Philippian church, preaches in Athens (Areopagus speech), stays in Corinth 18 months. Writes 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

Question 15

Paul – Missionary Journeys (3rd & Imprisonment)

Answer 15

3rd Journey: Acts 18:23–21:16 — focuses on Ephesus (2+ years), writes 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans.

Goes to Jerusalem, arrested at temple — Acts 21

Trials & Imprisonment: Defends himself before Felix, Festus, Agrippa — Acts 24–26

Appeals to Caesar, sails to Rome, survives shipwreck — Acts 27–28

Writes Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon

Question 16

Paul – Later Ministry & Death

Answer 16

House Arrest in Rome: Preaches freely for two years — Acts 28:30–31

Released, likely travels to Spain (Rom 15:24, tradition)

Writes Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy, Titus

Arrested again, writes 2 Timothy (final letter) urging faithfulness

Martyrdom: Beheaded in Rome under Nero, c. AD 64–67

Question 17

Judas Iscariot – Betrayer

Answer 17

Treasurer of group, steals from purse — John 12:6

Betrays Jesus for 30 silver pieces — Matt 26

Remorseful, hangs himself — Matt 27

Fulfilled prophecy (Ps 41:9)