Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Background

• Nicodemus is a Greek name, and means "people's victory."
• He was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin.
• Generally speaking, Israel's 6000 Pharisees were highly respected.
• Nicodemus should have been familiar with the concept of new birth and its connection with water (from the Torah, from the passages about the Messianic age in the major and minor prophets, and from the message of John the Baptist).

Scriptural study

• John 3:1ff (It isn't clear where the conversation actually ends.)
• John 7:45-52
• John 19:38-42
• The trajectory is positive, but the outcome is unclear.
  • In legend, Nicodemus goes on to become a "saint." Yet the truth of the matter is far from clear.
  • As in our own lives, the story is still being written.

Further

• The Jewish Encyclopedia has theorized that Nicodemus is identical to Nicodemus ben Gurion, mentioned in the Talmud as a wealthy holy man reputed to have had miraculous powers.
• Catholic / Orthodox tradition holds that Nicodemus was martyred sometime in the first century. Accordingly, Nicodemus is venerated as a saint.
• The apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus was produced the mid-fourth century. It is only a retooling of the earlier Acts of Pilate. Neither, of course, is authentic.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Introduction: Women and Jesus

• He never belittles them.
• He interacts with them in all purity and respect.
• He notices them -- viewing them as subjects (persons) and not objects. They are neither sex objects nor servants nor "extras" on the set. They are precious to the Lord, and so should they be to us.
• He was willing to drink from the (ritually unclean) vessel of a Samaritan.
• He treats them as equals in the area of discipleship. This rabbi "talks theology" with her!

Text: John 4:4-42

Other scriptures referred to:

• John 8:48
• Genesis 29:10
• Jeremiah 2:13
• Zechariah 14:8
• Revelation 22:1
• Joshua 8:33
• Deuteronomy 16:16
• John 1:41, 12:21

The woman's dawning realization of who Jesus is

• A Jew (4:9) -- a stranger, a man
• "Sir" (4:11)
• "Prophet" (4:19)
• "Messiah" (4:25-26)

What we learn from this woman

• Don't write certain people off.
• Many social distinctions divide; in Christ God brings together.
• A broken, "damaged" person can still be transformed through the presence of Christ.
• Sometimes the outsider is the hero of the story.
• When you truly believe you have good news, you share it.
• God truly loves all people.

Further

• The origin of the Samaritans dates to the 8th century BC (2 Kings 17), to the time of the the Assyrian invasion and captivity.
• "Samaritan women were judged to bear the ritual uncleanness of the menstruant from their day of birth (mNidd. 4.1; tNidd. 5.1)." Cited in Tai Ilan, Jewish Women in Greco-Roman Palestine (Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson, 1995), 103.
• "Talk not much with womankind," said Yose b. Yohanan of Jerusalem (mAbot 1.5).
• In Eastern Orthodox tradition, this woman is known as Photine (Greek for "luminous [woman]" from phos, light).
• Despite the openness of Jesus towards women as seen in this story, some readers still criticize Christ and Christianity for being misogynist. After all, it is protested, there were no women among apostles. And yet the 12 apostles are clearly modeled on the 12 patriarchs (all male). To remain above suspicion, the inner circle of the traveling band, who even slept together, had to be male. It appears there were no Judeans or Samaritans among the apostles, yet we know the Lord's heart on the matter.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

This lesson covers the final 5 apostles -- previous podcasts covered the first 7 plus Paul. Note: While we covered Judas Iscariot, we did not discuss Matthias (Acts 1:13,26), who was Judas' replacement. Click here for more on this somewhat obscure addition to the apostolic band.

1. Matthew (Levi)

Matthew is mentioned in Matthew 9:9 and 10:3, and comes from Capernaum. His other name is Levi, son of Alpheus (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27). Matthew collected taxes for Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. He may have been despised as a collaborator, but his willingness to follow Christ shows his heart was good. As a tax collector he would have been literate in both Aramaic and Greek, in addition to being good with numbers. We actually know more about Zacchaeus (Luke 19), another tax collector in the first century.

2. Bartholomew (Nathanael)

In the synoptic gospels, Philip and Bartholomew are mentioned together; in John, it's Philip and Nathanael. Thus we can equate Bartholomew with Nathanael. We encounter this direct and honest man in John 1:43-51, 21:2. Despite his initial skepticism, he quickly came to faith once he began to interact with Jesus.

3. Simon the Zealot

Some ancient church fathers thought he was Simon the Canaanite (Hebrew qana' = be zealous). We find him in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13, though little is known about him. If "zealot" was not a description of his personality or Christian commitment, then perhaps he was part of the first-century extreme political faction, the Zealots.

4. James the Younger (James son of Alphaeus)

This apostle was son of the other Mary, wife of Clopas (Cleopas). There is little information on this man

5. Thaddaeus (the other Judas)

Thaddaeus was Lebbaeus, in some manuscripts of Matthew 10:3. He was also called Judas son of James (John 14:22), known as St. Jude by the Catholics. He preached in Syria, launching the Christian movement east of Palestine, which led to the Church of the East. This Christian movement evangelized Syria, Persia, China, Mongolia, and other lands. It was a persecuted people, for the Church of the East never became political, or a state church. Eusebius (church historian at the court of Constantine, early 4th century AD), wrote "Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, under divine impulse sent Thaddeus, who was also numbered among the seventy disciples of Christ, to Edessa, as a preacher and evangelist of the teaching of Christ" (Church History I, xiii), Thaddaeus was martyred about 65 AD.

Some things we learn from these 5 apostles
 

• Be willing to take the gospel into all the world; either "go and grow," or "stay and pay."
• There is a high price to be paid for leadership.
• Be careful not to judge people for their former political associations.
• Authenticity -- from Nathanael (Bartholomew) -- doesn't mean one has to remain a skeptic, or take forever to make a decision of faith.

Apostles and Martyrdom

Hippolytus, a disciple of Irenaeus (2nd/3rd century AD), provides information about the deaths of the apostles, and may contain some true history. These stories should definitely be taken with a grain of salt. The 8 apostles Hippolytus says were martyred are marked with the sign +.

• +Peter -- preached in Asia Minor and Italy, crucified upside down in Rome
• +Andrew --  preached to Scythians and Thracians, then crucified on an olive tree in Achaia
• John -- banished to Patmos, dying in the time of Trajan (emperor 98-117)
• +James -- beheaded by Herod the Tetrarch in Judea (Acts 12)
• +Philip -- preached in Phrygia, crucified upside-down in Hierapolis
• +Bartholomew -- preached to Indians, and crucified upside-down, and buried in Armenia
• Matthew -- died in Parthia
• +Thomas -- preached to Medes, Parthians, Persians, and others, speared to death with a spear of pine wood in India
• +James son of Alphaeus -- stoned to death while preaching in Jerusalem
• Jude (also called Lebbaeus) -- preached in Syria and Mesopotamia
• Simon the Zealot (also called Jude) -- died in Jerusalem
• Matthias -- died in Jerusalem
• +Paul -- beheaded in Rome

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Home, name, ministry

• Lived in Bethsaida (also the home town of Peter and Andrew).
• Likely a former disciple of John the Baptist.
• Listed fifth among the apostles.
• Named after father of Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon. His name means "horse-lover." Another piece of trivia: a philippic is any speech or discourse of bitter denunciation. Origin of the term: Athenian orator Demosthenes delivered orations against Philip of Macedon (4th century BC).
• Not the same individual as Philip the Evangelist (Acts 6:5, 8:5ff, 21:8). There is another Philip in the N.T., Philip the Tetrarch (Luke 3:1; Mark 6:17), one of the sons of Herod the Great.
• Greek-speaking.
• Matthew 10:3, 14:3; Mark 3:18, 6:17; Luke 6:14; John 1:43-44, 6:5-7, 12:21-23, 14:8-9; Acts 1:13.

Glimpses of Philip

• Obeys Jesus' call to follow, and then introduces Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:43-46). When questioned, his reply was "Come and see."
• Sensible assessment of the hungry crowd (John 6:5-7). Yet he sees the problem before he sees (by faith) the solution.
   
• Introduces some Greeks to Jesus (John 12:21-23) -- natural, given his own Hellenic background.
• Wants to see the Father, not quite realizing that whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father (John 14:5-9).
• What kind of person was he?
  • Level-headed
  • A people-person, possibly a networker
  • Spiritually thirsty yet sometimes missing the obvious (I think I'm not being unfair with this comment)

Tomb discovery

• Philip's tomb identified in Hierapolis, 2011. Read the Fox news article.
• He died somewhere between 80 and 90 AD.
• Note, however, the Roman Catholic claim that his body was acquired from Hierapolis by Pope John III (560-572 AD) and interred in a church in Rome.

Further traditions

• Tradition and legend place him in Greece, Syria, Phrygia, and Hierapolis.
• He was sometimes confused with Philip the Evangelist.
• The Gospel of Philip (a Gnostic next from Nag Hammadi, discovered 1945)
• The Acts of Philip (4th C?)
• Two execution traditions: beheading and crucifixion upside down.

What we learn from Philip

• He is willing to follow Jesus.
• Though he may not initially understand, he sticks around and gets the answer.
• He realizes the answer lies not in himself, but in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5).
• Accordingly, he is happy to introduce others to Jesus.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Name

• Judas Thomas
• Transliteration of Aramaic te'oma' (Hebrew te'om), Greek didymos
• These words mean "twin"
  • The twin of Matthew (they are often mentioned together)?
  • The twin of Jesus (Gnostic idea)? Highly doubtful.

Apostleship

• Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:38; Luke 6:15; John 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-29, 21:2 ; Acts 1:13.
• Known for doubt, yet courage is a more predominant characteristic: willingness to die (11:6).
• His wanting to know the way (John 14:5) triggers Jesus' famous response one verse later (John 14:6).
• John 20 -- insistence on evidence

A look at Thomas from John's gospel

• John 11:16 (see v.8; 12:14-26)
• 20:24-29; 14:5
• 21:2

Later tradition

• According to Indian Christian tradition (esp. in the apocryphal Acts of Thomas), lots were cast. At first Thomas refused India, but later changed his mind.
• Trade routes (overland and maritime were open), and there were Jewish communities all over India, so there is no reason to reject the tradition.
• Thomas worked his way from North India to South India, beginning in 52 AD.
• He appointed overseers in these newly established churches.
• Several generations later, the Church of the East joins with the Thomite Christians (Mar Thomite). Marco Polo (late 1200s) came across the Thomite sect.
• He was ultimately executed in Chennai (Madras), according to third and fourth century sources. The traditional site is St. Thomas Mount, where the apostle is alleged to have been speared in 72 AD.

Rubens "Martyrdom of Thomas"

Writings falsely attributed to Thomas

• The Gospel of Thomas. (Click for my take on this late 2nd-century document.) "Let none read the gospel according to Thomas, for it is the work, not of one of the twelve apostles, but of one of Mani's three wicked disciples." -- Cyril of Jerusalem, Cathechesis V (4th C.)
• Infancy Gospel of Thomas -- miraculous events in Jesus' childhood.
• Acts of Thomas

Conclusion: 3 attributes of Thomas worth emulating
 

• Display of courage
• Insistence on evidence (natural curiosity?)
• Evangelistic conviction

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Intro

• Judas is hardly the first traitor in the Bible. (For example, consider Joseph's brothers, Doeg, Absalom, and Ziba.)
• One of the closest parallels is Joab's betrayal (with a kiss) of Amasa (2 Samuel 20:1-13).
• Yet Judas is the most significant traitor in scripture.

Name
 

• Named after Judah, patriarch of the tribe of Jesus.
• Or he may have been named in honor of Judas Maccabee (the political revolutionary of the 2nd century BC).
• There were two Judases (Judahs) in the apostolic band: Judas Iscariot and Judas son of James (Thaddaeus).
• On the meaning of "Iscariot"
  • Man of Kerioth ('ish-Kerioth)?
  • Corruption of sicarius (dagger-man)?
  • No other apostle is given an epithet based on his place of origin, unless Simon the Zealot is Simon the Canaanite (or man of Cana) is right (as in a minority of manuscripts). If the latter option is correct, then along with Simon the Zealot, Judas was one of the two most political members of the apostolic band.
• Judas is mentioned about 50x in the NT.
• Since his defection, Christians seldom name their children Judas (or Adolf, Genghis, or Jezebel).

Short ministry career

• Matthew 10:4 -- appointed apostle
• Served as apostolic treasurer, a position not usually given to those who are greedy or irresponsible.
• John 6:70-71 -- Jesus knew Judah would become a traitor, though this in no way forced him to go down that path.
• John 12:4 -- critical of the woman for anointing Jesus.
• John 12:6 -- not sincere, but was helping himself to the money bag. Little sins take a cumulative toll on our character, and our outlook on life.
• Luke 22:3 -- Satan "entered" him (suggests free will, and then end of a process by which Judas became corrupt).
• Matthew 26:14 -- makes a deal with the priests for the capture of Jesus.
• John 13 -- His treachery went unnoticed at the Supper / foot-washing (no favoritism). And yet Jesus does not exaggerate his friendship with Judas (John 15 -- Judas absent when the Lord called his apostles friends; Jesus wasn't insincerely pretending everything was okay).
• Gethsemane -- Even in the arrest (Jesus indicated by Judas' kiss), the Lord loved him to the end. Jesus was not vindictive.
• Matthew 27:3 -- regret (yet woe to him [26:24]: better if he'd never been born).
• Acts 1:16-26 -- His defection fulfilled the prophetic scheme of things.
• Exaggerated description (Papias, 2nd C).
  • Judas walked about as a great example of ungodliness in this world. His flesh was so swollen, that when a wagon was passing through the street he was unable to pass through; there was only enough room for his head. The eyelids over his eyes, it is said, protruded so much, that he did not see light, and that a doctor could not make his eyes visible with optical instruments. To such an extent was the light shut out from outside. His genitals of indecency were more disgusting and yet too small to be seen. There oozed out from his whole bursting body both fluids and worms. After much suffering and agony, it is said that he died in his own place. And this place is out of the way and the piece of land is uninhabited until now. No one even to this day passes by the place without stopping up his nose with his hands. Such was the opinion spread about the country concerning his body.
  • Further demonized by Dante (1265-1321), placed in the innermost circle of the 9th circle of hell ("treachery"): His head is perpetually gnawed by Satan's mouth, and his back forever skinned by Satan's claws. Also tortured in a mouth of Satan (who is pictured as having three heads and three mouths) are Brutus and Cassius.

Judas in Psalms
 

• 41:9: "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me."
• 55:12-14 -- It's hard to take it from a friend!
• 109:4ff -- Another would take his place of leadership.
• These scriptures show that not only the early church, but also Jesus, saw in Judas the fulfillment of some of the darkest scriptures in all the Psalms.

Three possible motives

• Money? (Unlikely--the sum is too small.)
• To force Jesus' hand? The betrayal takes place only after it has become crystal clear that Jesus did not intend to lead a political revolution. Judas may have truly loved his country but failed to distinguish the nature of the kingdom, that it is spiritual, not earthly.
• Or possibly he lost faith--no longer believed Jesus was the messiah and therefore deserved to be executed.

The Petrine parallel

• Both Peter and Judas betrayed (denied) their lord.
• Both felt bad.
• But admitted wrongdoing.
• Yet only one repented.

Conclusion

We are all tempted from time to time to sell out our Lord, perhaps to protect our own skin, perhaps in a moment of deep disappointment or confusion. Temptation can get the better of all of us. In such times, remember this vital lesson: be a Peter, not a Judas.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Family

• Brothers of James and son of Zebedee.
• For further details, see notes accompanying the James podcast.

Ministry

• Training with Jesus. Focus: Luke 9:46-55 (John's lack of humility and love towards outsiders).
• Preaching with Peter Acts 3-5). Focus: Acts 4:13,19-20 (powerful preaching, significant knowledge of God and his word). Uneducated, yet courageous.
• Later he is described as a pillar in the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9).
• Later life (traditional, uncertain)
  • Ephesus (Asia Minor): home, ministry, Mary.
  • Taught Polycarp of Smyrna, who in turn taught Irenaeus (late 100s).

Death

• Traditionally he died a peaceful death. In contrast, at least 7 of the apostles died a martyr's death.
• John 19:26ff -- assuming he is "the disciple whom Jesus loved" -- suggests he was one of the last to die.
• If so, he and his brother James bracket the apostles: James being the first to die, John being the last.

Miscellaneous

• The Isle of Patmos, a few hours by boat off the west coast of Turkey, belongs to Greece. It is a beautiful place, and much larger than I'd ever imagined. Still, the loneliness of exile must have been bittersweet for John the Revelator.
• As for Da Vinci's Last Supper mural painting, the beardless figure beside Jesus is not a woman (Mary Magdalene, according to Dan Brown of Da Vinci Code fame). It was conventional in the Renaissance to depict young men without beards, thus accentuating their boyishness.

Writings

• Anonymity of authorship, except for Revelation 1:4.
• Strength of position for traditional authorship of the 5 Johannine writings.

Lesson for  you and me:

• The apostle of love reminds us of an urgent need: love for insiders (zealous fraternal loyalty) and for outsiders (the mission of Christ).
• People change. The "son of thunder" in time became known as "the apostle of love."
• Stay faithful to the very end, whenever that comes.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Introduction

• James, in its various forms (Jacob, Jacques, Diego, Jaime, Jack), is a common name.
• He was the brother of John. Jesus thus called at least two sets of brothers. With only one exception in the NT, he is always named before his brother John. This suggests he was older, or else preeminent. Perhaps his preeminence and outspokenness (Mark 10) led to his being martyred first?
• He was a fisherman, along with his brother and their father, Zebedee. The family of Zebedee was in partnership with the family of Andrew and Peter.
• His mother may be Salome (Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40). If so, this makes James and John maternal cousins of Jesus.
• Jesus called James and John Boanerges, Aramaic for "Son of thunder." Why this nickname? Personality? Booming voices? Fiery personality (Luke 9:54)?
• Mentioned in Matthew 4:21, 10:2, 17:21, 20:20, 26:37; Mark 1:19,29, 3:17, 5:37, 9:2, 10:35,41, 13:3, 14:33; Luke 5:10, 6:14, 8:51, 9:28,54; John 21:2. Never explicitly named in John.
• He was not the first Christian martyr. His death falls between those of Stephen (30s) and Peter and Paul (60s).

Scripture study

• James was in "the inner circle" (Mark 5:37, 9:2, 13:3, 14:33).
• At that time he sought position (Mark 10:32-45 ).
• If he wanted to "drink the cup," he certainly got his wish. Acts 1:13, 12:1-3 are the fulfillment of Mark 10.

Bible trivia: 7 decapitations
 

• Goliath (1 Samuel 17:46,51)
• Saul (1 Samuel 31:9)
• Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 4:7)
• Sheba (2 Samuel 20:22)
• John the Baptist (Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16,27; Luke 9:9)
• The martyrs of Revelation 20:4
• The statue of the Philistine god Dagon (1 Samuel 5:4).

Lessons:

• It's not about being in the inner circle, but about service.
• High profile leaders are more subject to attack.
• Sometimes the Lord takes us away early.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Introduction

• In these NT character podcasts, we have already heard a lesson on the apostles Paul and Andrew. We continue our study with the balance of the better known apostles; the lesser known ones we will cover all together in the final podcast on the apostles.
• For Catholics he is the majestic prince of the apostles, as a visit to the Vatican will quickly remind one. The Orthodox view is nearer that of the Protestants: although he is a major apostle, he is no pope. Yet Protestants further downgrade Peter, perhaps in overreaction to papal claims. What is the truth about this man?
• Peter is mentioned nearly 180x in the NT (compared to nearly 300 mentions of Paul/Saul). Yet, though there isn't as much biblical material on him as there is in Paul's case, still Peter is a monumental character, and it would be impossible to sum up his life in a single podcast.
• He is often mentioned in the Gospels and in Acts 1-12. Then he appears in Acts 15. Paul refers to him in Galatians 2. Peter identifies himself in the salutations of 1 and 2 Peter. Further (speculative) information about Peter, lacking in the Bible, was more than made up for in later tradition!
• His letters reflect many of Jesus' teachings in the gospels. In addition, one historic event is alluded to -- the Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-18).

Personal
 

• The name Petros (English Peter) comes from the Greek word for rock. In Aramaic he was Cephas, pronounced kay-pah (John 1:42; 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5; Galatians 1:18, 2:9,11,14). We might call him "Rocky." Since he's the son of Jonah (bar Jonah), a modernized equivalent for his full name would be "Rocky Johnson."
• Peter hailed from Bethsaida, which was also the home of Philip (John 1:44). This town has been excavated from 1987 on, and was soon afterwards identified as the biblical Bethsaida. What then about his "house" in Capernaum?
• Peter was a simple fisherman (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16; Acts 4:13).
• He was married; in Mark 1:29 his mother-in-law was healed, and in 1 Corinthians 9:5.
• As for 1-2 Peter, like most ancient writers, Peter employed the services of a scribe. The man who helped him write 1 Peter was Silvanus (1 Peter 5:12), also called Silas. Who assisted Peter with his second letter, we do not know.

Ministry

• Introduction to Jesus
  • "We have found the Messiah" -- recruited by his brother Andrew (John 1:41).
  • He was first called of the apostles, and this appointment is recorded in Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14.
• Phase I: Training with the Twelve (Matthew 4-Acts 1), 27-30 AD
• Phase II: Twelve Years of Church Ministry (Acts 2-12), 30-42 AD
• Phase III: Later ministry (Acts 15, 1-2 Peter, later traditions), 49-64 AD
• Connection with Mark. 1 Peter 5:13 -- He is now in Rome (represented by the code-word "Babylon"), and close to Mark, who Papias says recorded Peter's words: "Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him. But afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who accommodated his instructions to the necessities [of his hearers], but with no intention of giving a regular narrative of the Lord's sayings. Wherefore Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things as he remembered them. For of one thing he took special care, not to omit anything he had heard, and not to put anything fictitious into the statements. -- Eusebius, Church History
• Preeminence?
  • "For they say that Peter and James and John after the ascension of our Savior, as if also preferred by our Lord, strove not after honor, but chose James the Just as overseer of Jerusalem." -- Clement of Alexandria, c.190 AD.
  • Papacy -- Orthodox do not recognize Peter as having been over the church at Jerusalem.
  • Evidence of Acts 15.
  • Spheres of influence -- see 2 Corinthians 10:16, Galatians 2:8.

Snapshots
 

• Matthew 16:21-24 -- misunderstanding the call to follow Christ.
• Matthew 26:51-54 (see John 18:10, and hear the podcast on Malchus) -- Peter is rebuked for using force to prevent harm coming to Jesus.
• John 21:15-22 -- challenged to love Jesus above all, and without comparing his situation to those of other disciples.
• Acts 10:1-11:18 -- challenged to rethink the old law, in full acceptance of Gentiles as fellow believers.
• Galatians 2:11-14 -- challenged by Paul not to vacillate on this important principle. (2 Peter 3:15-16 -- continued respect for Paul.)
• 1 Peter 5:1 -- a fellow elder and witness of Christ's sufferings. Peter had walked with the Lord a long time, received many corrections, and learned a lot about leadership by the time he was in his 60s.

Martyrdom

• "Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18-19).
   
• Crucified upside-down in Rome (Acts of Peter). Josephus comments that Roman soldiers used to amuse themselves by crucifying persons in various positions.

Passages and sources mentioned

• Matthew-John; Acts 1:14, 10:1-11:18; Galatians 2:8, 1 Peter 1:1, 5:1,13; 2 Peter 1:1, 3:15-16.
• Apocryphal works: Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Preaching of Peter, Apocalypse of Peter, Judgment of Peter
• Eusebius, Church History, Book 3, Chapter 39.15-16.
• You might also want to read the 9 lessons on 1-2 Peter in the NT Studies series (this website).

Lessons for us

• Moral lesson 1: Think before you speak.
• Moral lesson 2: Be humble. God isn't limited to doing great things in your life only when you are "top dog."
• Life observation 1: People change, especially when they follow Jesus long enough.
• Life observation 2: The Christian journey is full of corrections. We need get good at accepting criticism from others (in humility).
• Life observation 3: Better step out in faith and be corrected than hold back in timidity. Growth comes through daring to act.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Background

• The name Andreas (English Andrew) comes from the Greek word for man (aner / andros), and hence appears to mean "manly."
• He seems to have been more cosmopolitan (broad-minded and Greek) than the other apostles, and thus figures prominently in John's gospel, which has a more universal focus than the three Synoptic Gospels.
• Apocryphal writings indicate he was from the tribe of Reuben, and that his mother was Joanna, but it is not possible to assign a high degree of credibility to these late sources.
• From Bethsaida, also the home of Philip (John 1:44). This town has been excavated from 1987, soon afterward identified as the biblical Bethsaida.
• He was a simple fisherman (Matthew 4:18, Mark 1:16).
• Andrew was the brother of Peter.

Ministry

• First call of the apostles. His appointment as apostle is noted in Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14.
• Mark 13:3 -- wanted to know about the destruction of Jerusalem (private talk). He seems to have had a curious and yet commonsensical mind.
• John 1:40-42 -- transfers from John the Baptist to Jesus.
• John 1:41 -- "We have found the Messiah" -- he recruits his brother Peter.
• John 6:8-9 -- alert, connects the boy with the fish with Jesus.
• John 12:20-22 -- connects Greeks who met Philip with the Lord.
• Acts 1:13-14 -- no surprise he is praying with the apostolic band before the day of Pentecost. Yet he is never again mentioned in Acts; the limelight is reserved for his brother Peter, and also for Paul.
• Preached among the Kurds (according to later tradition).

Martyrdom

• Stoned and crucified in Scythia (according to the Martyrdom of Andrew).
• The Scythians, mentioned in Colossians 3:11, were to the Greeks and Romans an uncivilized and barbarian people.
• Andrew's "relics' were discovered a few centuries later. His arm is purported to be in Scotland, of which he is the patron saint. (Viz. the St. Andrew's Cross, representing the type of cross on which he was reported to have been crucified.)
• For more on his execution, click here.

Lessons for us

• The Lord can always use an "Andrew" -- someone who introduces others to Jesus Christ.
• We should be vigilant, aware of our surroundings, and the potentialities in those around us.
• Faith is intended to be relational, not just an individual. Andrew understood this and allowed God to use him to augment the network of relationships connected with the followers of Christ.
• Few of us will be in the limelight like Peter and Paul, yet still, we are to be active in our Christian ministry.
• Let us all serve the Lord to the very end, no matter how painful that end may be.