The Profile of Paul : Truth is unveiled

12 APOSTLES - SELECTED

Jesus had many followers. But he selected twelve of them as his main disciples, whom he appointed to be his apostles. They were very loyal to him and followed leaving every thing so much so they were conferred by Jesus the favour of being the main persons for this high office of apostleship.

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; Philip and Bertholomew; Thomas and Matthew the Publican; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Taddaeus; Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot... -Matthew 10:2-4

These names we can see in Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16 also. But in the gospel of Luke we find Juda as brother of James instead of Lebbaeus whose surname was taddaeus as made mention in Matthew and Mark.

These twelve apostles were given the power of healing the diseased and of casting off the devils.

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. -Matthew 10:1

And these twelve apostles were given a special power of forgiveness. They can forgive the sins of whomever they wish and retain the sins of those whom they do not like to forgive.

 " Whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." -John 20:23

They were commissioned for the high office of preaching in the status of apostles.

" Then said Jesus to them again, peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." -John 20: 21

Not only this but they were made so fortunate as that would occupy the twelve judgment seats on the day of judgment and judge the twelve tribes of Israelites.

And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -Matthew 19:28

PETER - CHIEF OF CHURCH

Keeping in view of all these points, it is evident that the apostleship was limited to the twelve disciples of Jesus. But there is no restriction for preachers. They may be as many as necessary. From among these twelve apostles, Simon peter was blessed with the highest status on whom the church was to be built.

 " 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." -Matthew 16:18

And again Jesus the messiah promised Peter that he would give him the keys of kingdom of heaven.

" And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." -Matthew 16:19

 And what a curious fact is that Jesus prayed for Peter that he might be firm in faith and in discharging his divine duty with which he had been commissioned with.

" And the lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." -Luke 22:31-32

Eventually, when Jesus was about to depart from the world, he handed over the responsibility of leading the church as according it was bulit on him.

So when they had dined, Jesus saith unto Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee.He saith unto him, FEED MY LAMBS. He saith to him again the second time, Simon,son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED MY SHEEP1. He saith unto him the third time simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, FEED MY SHEEP -John 21:15 –17

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