Apostles

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Q. What can you tell me about the Disciple Simon the Canaanite? Are there any other references to him in the New Testament? [Georgianna]

A. Hi and thanks for the question. I find 4 references to Simon the Canaanite. In two he is referenced as a "Canaanite" which means someone from Canaan and in the other two he is referenced as "Zelotes" which simply means "Zealot". They are:

1. Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
2. Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3. Luke 6:15: Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
4. Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

Georgianna, now that is a lovely name. A name which may very well have some significance. It's a name that has Greek origins and means "Gracious Farmer" doesn't it? You are most likely gracious but are you a farmer? Just thought I would ask that question before I go on.

There are some who say that there is some kind of contradiction in the scriptures because Simon was called a Canaanite in two places and Zelotes in two other verses. There is no contradiction and the facts are that the Bible gives us a clear pattern so we are able to see not only who the apostles were, but also their associations with the other apostles. Also at times people were given names related to their families or work by some and by others they were associated with their place of origin. Many say that Jesus surrounded himself with revolutionaries and radicals. Actually, just because he was called Zelotes (zealot) doesn't mean he was a revolutionary.

[Timothy; which means "honoring God" (Greek ~ Timotheus)]

Q. How do you know Cephus and Simon Peter is the same person? [Anon]

A. Because the Bible says so.

• John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
• Mark 3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
• Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Now that sounds to me like Simon Peter, Cephas, Simon Bar- Jo'na, Simon the son of Jona, and the Rock are the same person. Doesn't it to you?

And what is the rock? The rock is our salvation. The rock is steadfast and unmovable. Just as our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mt:16:13: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Rock is believing on the Lord with faith unmovable.

Q. How many apostles where there and what were their names? [Anon]

A. There were 12 Apostles: Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 10:6: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Matthew (Levi)

Matthew was a tax collector who was called into service by the Lord from his tax collecting booth.

Mark (John Mark)

A steady companion to many of the Apostles. The book that bears his name is thought to be one of the first gospels written.

Luke

Doctor Luke, Apostle and Physician. Not one of the original.

John

Writer of Saint John, the three little John's, and Revelation. Brother of James and one of the sons of Zebedee.

Thomas (Didymus)

Thomas is most famous for doubting that the Savior had risen from the grave. Therefore the term "Doubting Thomas" was place on him!

James

Writer of Saint James. Brother of John and one of the sons of Zebedee.

Peter (Simon) or (Cephas)

This is the Apostle that denied the Savior as Jesus had foretold. Some call him the Rock because of the statement the Lord had made to him. Matthew 16:15: He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jude (Thaddaeus)

Wrote the Book of Jude.

Andrew

Brother of Peter.

Philip

One of the 12

Bartholomew (Nathanael)

One of the 12

Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

The Apostle to the Gentile Nations. Originally one of the biggest persecutors of the Christians but the Lord turned him around. Acts 26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 26:15: And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 26:16: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 26:17: Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 26:18: To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

*Note: Some of you might notice that I did not place Judas in this list. Mainly because the Lord knew him to be evil from the beginning and not an Apostle.

• Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
• John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;