The Calling of the Disciples

Rev. Adiel Nathan G. Caspe

A Disciple is basically the pupil of a teacher.
Latin discipulus meaning ‘pupil’ or ‘learner’
Greek mathetes from manthano which means ‘to learn’

Disciple means a follower of Jesus during his life, especially

one of the twelve Apostles.

Jesus was popularly known as a Rabbi which also means

‘teacher’ and his associates were known as Disciples.
Disciple in verb form denotes the ‘making of converts’

A Disciple of Christ is one who:

1. Believes his teaching
2. Rests on his sacrifice
3. Imbibes (take-in) his Spirit
4. Imitates his Example
(Matthew 10:24; Luke 14:26-27,33; John 6:69)
We can say that ALL Apostles were Disciples but all disciples
are not apostles. The word Disciple is sometimes used
interchangeably with Apostle.

The word Apostle means ‘one who is sent out.’

Two primary usages of the word Apostle in the New Testament.
1. Referring to the Twelve Apostle of Jesus Christ.
2. Referring to individuals who are ‘sent out’ to be messengers
of Jesus Christ.
This specific type of Apostle is not present in the Church today.
 The Qualifications of the Apostle:
1. Witness the resurrected Christ ( 1 Corinthians 9:1).
2. Chosen by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15).
3. Perform signs and wonders (Acts 2:43).

In modern usage, Missionaries are often called Apostles, a practice

which stems from Latin equivalent of Apostle – ‘Missio’ the
source of the English word Missionary.
The Disciples of Christ
The INNER CIRCLE Disciples because they were accorded
special privileges (Matthew 17:1; 26:37; Mark 5:37)

1. Simon – “The Rock”

2. James – “The Elder”
3. John – “The Beloved Disciple”
 1. Simon – also called Peter.
Greek Petros means “rock”

Son of Jonas or John.

Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum
Occupation: Fisherman
Wrote: 1 and 2 Peter, Bible History and traditional legends.
Death: Traditions says, he was crucified upside down (head downward)
Peter was a expressive.
- a natural leader and an obvious spokesperson for the twelve.
- the only married disciple of Jesus (Luke 4:38).

Peter was well known for denying Christ three times after Christ was arrested.
After his own arrest many years later he requested to be crucified with his
head down. He didn’t believe he was worthy to be crucified in the same
manner as his Lord. He died a martyr’s death in Rome during the reign of
Nero.
2. James – Also called Boanerges or Son of Thunder.

Son of Zebedee and Salome

Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem
Occupation: Fisherman
Preached in Jerusalem and Judea
Death: Beheaded by Herod A.D. 44 (Acts 12:1,2)
James is the elder brother of John. He is quiet part of the team of the disciples
in that we don’t read much about him in the Scripture.
As part of the INNER CIRCLE:
- He was permitted to be present along with Peter and John when Jesus
raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37).
- He witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 17:1).
- He was in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus (Mark 14:33).

James was the first disciple to be MARTYRED, he was beheaded and the
only disciple to have their martyrdom recorded in the Scripture.
(Acts 12:1-3).
 3. John – also called The Beloved Disciple.
- means God is gracious.

Son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of James.

Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem
Occupation: Fisherman
Wrote: 1, 2 and 3 John, and Revelation.
Death: Banished to Patmos, afterward freed, and died a natural death.
John is the younger brother of James. He was part of the Inner Three.

John wrote a large portion of the New Testament. The Book of John 1,
2 and 3, and the book of Revelation.
He wrote more about LOVE than any other New Testament author. His
closeness to Jesus taught him much about love.
He was exiled to the Island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian, but
after Domitian’s death, John was allowed to return to Ephesus where he
governed churches in Asia until his death about A.D. 100.
 The Quiet Workers Disciples

1. Andrew – “The Personal Worker”

2. Philip – “Philippos”
3. Bartholomew – “The Gift of God”
4. Thomas – “The Doubter”
5. Matthew – “The Gift of God”
4. Andrew – Also called Manly or The Personal Worker.

Brother of Peter, son of Jonas or John.

Home: Bethsaida and Capernaum
Occupation: Fisherman
Originally a disciple of John the Baptist
Death: Crucified. (Cross was known as St. Andrew’s Cross)
Andrew was the first disciple of Jesus and his enthusiasm was
evident as his desire to introduce his older brother to Jesus.

Andrew was a passionate preacher and shared the gospel boldly

and was significant contributor to the early church.
Andrew died a martyr’s death. He faced crucifixion with boldness
and courage.
Andrew was an early disciple of John the Baptist and were present
when John the Baptist said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” John 1:35
5. Philip – Also called Philippos, Lover of Horses.

The son of Alphaeus.

Home: Bethsaida
Occupation: Tradesmen
Described as a Disciple from the City of Bethsaida
Death: Died a martyr, stoned and crucified at Hierapolis
Philip was the one who introduced Nathaniel (Bartholomew) to Jesus.

Philip was a Jew known by his Greek name, Philip.

A heart for evangelism, he was anxious to tell Nathanael the One

foretold by Moses and the prophets had been found. (John1:45)

They were close companions and probably studied the Old Testament
together.
6. Bartholomew – Also called Nathanael, Gift of God.

The son of Tolmai.

Home: Cana of Galilee
Occupation: Fishermen
Jerome says he wrote a Gospel
Death: He was whipped to death
Bartholomew expressed some local prejudiced about Nazareth.

Bartholomew may have preached in India and translated the book

of Matthew into their language.

Bartholomew was beaten, crucified and beheaded. He died as a

martyr while serving the people of Albinopolis, Armenia.
7. Thomas – Also called Didymus means Twin, The Doubter.

Home: Galilee
Occupation: Fishermen
Death: Killed by spear
Thomas was outspoken skeptic to the point of being known as a
pessimist.

Thomas has a character quality of courage and loyalty of Christ, a

quality not often attributed to Thomas.

Tradition strongly suggest that Thomas started the Christian church

in India
8. Matthew – Also called Levi, The Gift of God.

Son of Alphaeus
Home: Capernaum
Occupation: Publican or Tax Collector
Author of the Gospel of Matthew
Death: Killed with Spear on the orders of King Hircanus of
Ethiopia
Matthew was a tax collector, the most hated people in all of Israel.
They were known for taking extra money from the people of Israel
to pay off the Romans and to pad their own pockets.

Matthew brought the Gospel to Ethiopia and Egypt.

Hebrew Mattay means the Gift of Yahweh.

Matthew was setting at the tax collector’s booth when Jesus told
him, ‘Follow Me.’
 The Little Known Disciples

1. James – “The Less or Younger”

2. Jude – “The Man of Heart”
3. Simon – “The Hearing”
9. James – Also called The Less or Younger.

Son of Alphaeus, mother name Mary.

Home: Galilee
Occupation: Tradesmen
Wrote the Epistle of James
Death: Crucified in Egypt
There is nothing more mentioned in the life of James the Less,
what was important to remember – James was chosen by Jesus to
be one of the twelve disciples.

He was trained and used by Christ in a powerful way for the

Kingdom of God. He was a valuable team member.
10. Jude – Also called Thaddaeus. The Man of Heart.

Son of Alphaeus, mother name Mary. Brother of James the Less.

Home: Galilee
Occupation: Tradesmen
Wrote the Book of Jude
Death: Crucified and pierced by arrows
Jude also known as Thaddeus, lived in unimportance as one of the
twelve.

The traditional symbol of Judas is a club and traditions says he was

clubbed to death for his faith.
11. Simon – known as The Zealot.

Traditions says that Simon the Zealot was probably brother of

James the Less.
Home: Cana of Galilee
Occupation: Tradesmen, Political Activist
Death: Crucified to death
It is amazing that Jesus would select a man like Simon to be an
apostle . But he was a man of fierce loyalties, amazing passion,
courage, and zeal.

There is some speculation about what happened to Simon.

Tradition says that after preaching on the west coast of Africa,
Simon went to England where he ended up being crucified in 74
A.D.
 The Traitor Disciple

1. Judas Iscariot – “The Traitor”

12. Judas Iscariot– known as The Traitor.

Son of Simon
Home: Kerioth of Judea
Occupation: Accountant, treasurer
He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver
Death: Hanged himself (Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-5)
Judas the traitor. Nothing is known about Judas background. His
encounter and call by Jesus is not recorded in the Scripture.

He obviously became a follower and stayed with Jesus for three

years. He gave Christ three years of his life, but he certainly didn’t
give him his heart.

He was intimately familiar with everything Jesus taught. Yet he

remained in unbelief and went into a hopeless eternity.
Matthias – according to the Acts of Apostles, the apostle
chosen to replaced Judas Iscariot.

There is no mentioned of a Matthias among the followers of Jesus,

but according to Acts, Matthias had been with Jesus from his
baptism by John the Baptist until Jesus Ascension – qualified to
be an Apostle.
 The 12 Disciples of Jesus
1. Peter 7. Thomas
2. James (Son of Zebedee) 8. Matthew
3. John 9. James
4. Andrew 10. Jude
5. Philip 11. Simon (The Zealot)
6. Bartholomew 12. Judas Iscariot
z
Disciples of Jesus
Rev. Adiel Nathan G. Caspe
z

Jesus

Rabbi, Teacher
Messiah HEBREW for Anointed One
Christ GREEK for Anointed One
z

John the Baptist

Forerunner or Pioneer of Jesus
Son of the priest Zacharias and Elizabeth
Lived an ascetic life in Judean desert
One who baptized Jesus
A Nazarite from birth and prepared for his
mission by years and self discipline in the desert.
z
Peter
Simon, fisherman
Petros ROCK
A natural leader, spokesperson for the 12.
Known for denying Jesus three times after
Jesus was arrested.
The only married disciple of Jesus.
Brother of Andrew
Crucified upside down
z
James
Son of Zebedee, The Elder
Boanerges or Son of Thunder
First disciple to be martyred and only
disciple to have their martyrdom recorded in
the Bible.
Fisherman
Brother of John
z
John
The Beloved Disciple
Son of Zebedee
Brother of James
The only disciple who died natural death.
Exiled in Patmos under Emperor Domitian.
Wrote about Love than any other New
Testament author.
z
Matthew

Son of Alphaeus
LEVI
A Tax Collector
Author of the Gospel of Matthew
Died a martyr in Ethiopia
z
Philip

Philippos
Lover of horses
A Jew known by his Greek name
Introduced Nathaniel to Jesus
Died a martyr at Hierapolis
z
Andrew

The Personal Worker, Manly

Brother of Peter
The first disciple of Jesus
Introduce his older brother (Peter) to Jesus.
Original disciple of John the Baptist.
z
Thomas

The Doubter
Didymus, Twin
Outspoken, known as a pessimist.
He has a character quality of courage
and loyalty of Christ, a quality not often
attributed to him.
z
Bartolomew

Nathaniel
Son of Tolmai
Gift of God
Friend of Philip
z
James

Son of Alphaeus
The Less or Younger
Brother of Jude
Wrote the Epistle of James
Was crucified in Egypt
z
Jude

Thaddaeus
Man of Heart
Brother of James “The Less”
z
Simon
ZEALOT, the Cananaean
“Hearing”
Known as Patriot
Political Activist
A man of fierce loyalties, amazing
passion, courage and zeal.
z
Judas Iscariot

The Traitor
His encounter and call by Jesus were not
recorded in the Bible.
Betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Hanged himself
z
Matthias

Chosen by the Apostles

Replaced Judas Iscariot
He was with Jesus baptism to His
death and resurrection.
z Jesus and the Twelve Disciples

Followers of Jesus

Discipilus LATIN

“Pupil” or “Learner”

Mathetes “to learn”

 z The Twelve Disciples of Jesus

Inner Circle Disciples

1. Peter
2. James (Son of Zebedee)
3. John
 z The Twelve Disciples of Jesus

Quite Workers Disciples

1. Andrew
2. Philip
3. Bartholomew
4. Thomas
5. Matthew
 z The Twelve Disciples of Jesus

Little Known Disciples

1. James (Son of Alphaeus)
2. Jude
3. Simon (The Zealot)
 z The Twelve Disciples of Jesus

Traitor Disciple
1. Judas Iscariot
 z The Twelve Disciples of Jesus
1. Peter 7. Thomas
2. James (Son of Zebedee) 8. Matthew
3. John 9. James (Son of Alphaeus)
4. Andrew 10. Jude
5. Philip 11. Simon (The Zealot)
6. Bartholomew 12. Judas Iscariot
 z
Demands involved on becoming a Disciple of Christ

1. Allegiance to Christ
A disciple should have personal allegiance to
Christ, dedication to the cause of Christ, and a
heart and mind to really follow Christ. He/She
must be ready to put the claims of Jesus first
whatever the cost.
 z
Demands involved on becoming a Disciple of Christ

2. Readiness to Leave Family Belongings

The demand is a literal abandonment of home,
business ties, and possessions only to answer
the call for mission or to minister.
 z
Demands involved on becoming a Disciple of Christ

3. Bear the Cross

To follow the way of the cross no matter how
difficult it may be. The cross-shaped yoke of
Christ is an instrument of liberation power to
those who live in it with him and learn the
meekness and lowliness of heart that bring rest
to the soul.
 z
Qualifications of the Apostles

1. Witness the Resurrected Christ.

2. Chosen by the Holy Spirit.
3. Ability to Perform Signs and Wonders.
 z
The Tasks of the Disciples
1. Representative of Christ to preach His Message

2. To Cast out demons

3. To heal the sick, to cure the lepers

4. To raise the dead

5. To give freely as they have received

6. To do as commanded in Matthew 28:18-20