The Disciples

DRAFT Research Paper

G. Russell

May 2005

The Bible describes three groups:

1. The disinterested heathens.

2. The multitude who followed Jesus

3. The disciples, later called apostles

1. The multitude who followed Jesus

KJV Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

KJV Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

KJV Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

KJV Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

KJV Matthew 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

KJV Matthew 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

KJV Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

KJV Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

KJV Mark 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

KJV Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea.

KJV Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

KJV Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue.

KJV Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat.

KJV Luke 8:37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

KJV Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

The difference between these groups is simple. The multitude were listeners. The disciples were followers. The multitude heard Jesus speak, stayed for lunch and moved on.

KJV Mark 12:37 And the common people heard him gladly.

KJV Luke 6:17 And a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

KJV Mark 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

KJV Acts 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 

The Disciples were a smaller group, the followers, believers, and adherents of Christ. They were doers of the word, and not hearers only. They counted the personal revelation of Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures of this world and went after it! 

KJV Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.   KJV John 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

  KJV Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

  KJV Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 KJV Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

 KJV Luke 18:28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

 KJV Matthew 19:28 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.  

From the ISBE Bible Dictionary:

 16996 2717 Disciple 16997 2717.01 \<di-si'-p'-l>:

16998 2717.02 \(1) Usually a substantive (Grk: mathetes, "a learner," from Grk: manthano, "to learn"; Latin discipulus, "a scholar"): The word is found in the Bible only in the Gospels and Acts. But it is good Greek, in use from Herodotus down, and always means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher (Grk: didaskalos). See Mt 10:24; Lk 6:40. In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent. The word has several applications. In the widest sense it refers to those who accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life. Thus the disciples of John the Baptist (Mt 9:14 ; Lk 7:18; Jn 3:25); also of the Pharisees (Mt 22:16; Mk 2:18; Lk 5:33); of Moses (Jn 9:28). But its most common use is to designate the adherents of Jesus. (a) In the widest sense (Mt 10:42; Lk 6:17; Jn 6:66, and often). It is the only name for Christ's followers in the Gospels. But (b) especially the Twelve Apostles, even when they are called simply the disciples (Mt 10:1; 11:1; 12:1, et al.). In the Acts, after the death and ascension of Jesus, disciples are those who confess Him as the Messiah, Christians (Acts 6:1,2,7; 9:36 (feminine, Grk: mathetria); Acts 11:26, "The disciples were called Christians"). Even half-instructed be-lievers who had been baptized only with the baptism of John are disciples (Acts 19:1-4).  16999 2717.03 \(2) We have also the verb, Grk: matheteuo, "Jesus' disciple" (literally, "was discipled to Jesus," Mt 27:57); "Make disciples of all the nations" (the King James Version "teach," Mt 28:19); "had made many disciples" (the King James Version "taught many," Acts 14:21); "every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven" (the King James Version "instructed," Mt 13:52). The disciple of Christ today may be described in the words of Farrar, as "one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example."  17000 2717.04 \The Old Testament has neither the term nor the exact idea, though there is a difference between teacher and scholar among David's singers (1 Ch 25:8), and among the prophetic guilds the distinction between the rank and file and the leader (1 Sam 19:20; 2 Ki 6:5).

 17001 2717.05 \^G. H. Trever  

The 12 disciples went through three phases of experience:

 1. Before the Call = Working secular jobs

2. Living with Jesus = Learning, working, time spent with Jesus; instructed into The Way; betrayal, abandonment, bewildered = failing Adamic nature; Judas = that portion of the Adamic nature that is the carnal mind. It betrays the spirit, breaks the Old Covenant, and self-destructs.

3. The Sons of God = Life of Christ; planted in the upper room; the Holy Spirit; maturing process; ministry, teaching, spreading the good news; living witness; but still failing like Peter in antioch; martyred; sacrifice

 Phase 1: The Call of the Disciples

 Fishing

KJV 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. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

 Mending

KJV Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

 KJV Matthew 10:2-4 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; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

 Tax Man

KJV Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

 KJV Luke 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

KJV Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

 KJV Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

 KJV John 1:43-49 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

 KJV John 6:67 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

 The Disciples came to follow Jesus only after they SAW him. He spoke to them, they saw him standing in front of them and they followed him. No one follwed Jesus before they saw him with their own eyes. Even Paul: 1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

 So also today. Those who can see Christ, the vision of Sonship as a literal obtainable reality, will follow after it. In order to follow after Christ you must first see the goal, the final product, and yourself as part of it. Seeing this goal is the most essential step in ordering your choices. KJV Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Those who do not have a clear understanding of the goal will soon fall away. KJV Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish.

 Those whose eyes were opened to see him, dropped their earthly goals and unconditionally followed him. In order to follow after Christ and attain the first resurrection, your view of the goal must be clear and personal. Christ in you, the hope of glory. KJV Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

 Then you must abandon every human desire and follow after it without conditions. Those who saw Christ but came with conditions, ultimately did not follow him. One would-be disciple wanted to focus on earthly things first. KJV Matthew 8:21-22 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. Another could follow only after he accomplished a prerequisite act. Having conditions that must be met before you will follow-on to attain Christ indicates that you will not follow him at all. KJV Matthew 19:21-22 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

 They are always named in three groups, and the first name of each group is always Peter, Philip, and James.

 Group 1

1. Simon – Peter - Cephas, son of Jona, a fisherman; loud, boisterous, usually wrong, not so lord, you don’t have to suffer, let us make three tabernacles, impulsive, jumped out of the boat in the storm and again out of the boat to swim to shore. 

2. Andrew – brother of Peter

 3. James – son of Zebedee, brother of John, together with John, called by Jesus “Boanerges,” meaning Sons of Thunder.

 4. John – The Beloved - son of Zebedee, brother of James, the disciple whom Jesus loved, called by Jesus “Boanerges” (together with James), meaning Sons of Thunder. Believing all things in silence, seeking the deepest possible relationship with Jesus, rested head on his shoulder at the last supper, after the crucifixion took Mary to his care, spoken of that … what if he lived til Jesus returned, wrote a gospel, … may still be alive?

 Group 2

5. Philip, of Bethsaida. (Not the same as Philip of Caesarea, the evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen along with Stephen.)

 6. Bartholomew – Nathanael, said, can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Incredulous, yet because Jesus said he saw him under the fig tree, instantly convinced that Jesus is the Son of God.

 7. Thomas – Didymus, missing, not there at the first showing, doubting, but convinced by his own eyes..

 8. Matthew – formerly Levi, tax collecter, hated his past, remorseful, dispised by his fellow citizens, now feels atoning, humble, grateful, hopeful, wrote a gospel,

 Group 3

9. James the son of Alphaeus,

 10. Thaddaeus – Lebbaeus – Judas brother of James - Judas (not Iscariot),

 11. Simon called Zelotes

 12. Judas Iscariot – the traitor, who betrayed Jesus, in league with the Romans and Jews, easily overcome by satan, carried the money bag and thought the spikenard should be sold for the poor. Judas was chosen last.

KJV Matthew 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; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Who are these people?

 There are 12 of them, which is the number of divine government.

12 months in the year

12 sons of Jacob

12 tribes

12 spies

12 gates in the New Jerusalem

12 fruits on the Tree of Life

 1. These 12 should be considered as a single group, a complete governing system. They are the divinely appointed and proper administration that governs your life today.

2. As a single group they represent the human experience. The first eleven symbolize the Adamic nature and Judas represents the carnal mind that was added at Eden’s fall.

3. When you are reading about the disciples, you are reading about yourself. They are You!

Phase 2: Living with Jesus

 Taken as a group, the 12 disciples represent all the traits of the Adamic nature and the carnal mind.

 Fearful

 KJV Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

KJV Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

 KJV Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.

 KJV Mark 9:6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

 Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

 Luke 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

 Mark 16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

 John 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus:

 John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 Ambitious

 KJV Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.

 KJV Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 KJV Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

 KJV Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

  Bewildered - Confused

 Nethanael

KJV John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 

KJV Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

KJV John 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

 Thomas

KJV John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

 Thomas

KJV John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 Philip

KJV John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

 Judas (Thaddeus)

KJV John 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

 Peter

KJV Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 KJV John 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

 Luke 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

 Peter

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

 Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

 Doubting

 Peter

Mat14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 Thomas

KJV John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

 Peter

KJV Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

 Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 Peter

Mat 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

 Luke 22:59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

 Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Mark 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled. 51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

 Judas Iscariot

John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

 The Inquisitive Spirit in You

 But there is more to you than just a failing Adamic nature. You have also been given a seeking spirit.

 For three and a half years the disciples lived, worked, ate, and slept with Jesus. After we are tugged of God and called to his presence, this is what we should be doing also.

 Living, traveling, & spending their time with Jesus

 KJV Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

 KJV Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

KJV Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

 KJV Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.

 KJV John 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

 Giving – Witnesses

 KJV Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 KJV 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.

 Matthew 10:5-8 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: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

 KJV Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

 KJV Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

 KJV Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 

Bonded to Jesus; Becoming His Family

 KJV Matthew 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 KJV Luke 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

 Expanding Personal Revelation – Learning Sonship, the Path to Life 

KJV Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

 KJV Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

 KJV Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 KJV Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.

 KJV Mark 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

 KJV Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. 

KJV Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 

KJV Luke 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

 KJV Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

 KJV Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

 KJV Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

 John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

 KJV 1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 

Tested

 Philip

KJV John 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

 Peter

KJV John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

 KJV Matthew 20:22 Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

 KJV John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

 Absorbing the Promise of SonPlacing

 KJV Matthew 19:28 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.

 KJV Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 

KJV Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

 KJV Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 The Betrayer

 The good and evil traits described above are normal characteristics of the human nature that God gave Adam and Eve before the fall in Eden. But after Eden’s fall, something was added to the mix. As a result of their rebellion, a final ingredient was bonded to Adam and Eve and became a permanent portion of man. This ingredient was the carnal mind. The carnal mind is an official portion of your human makeup today. Like Judas it was added last, and like Judas it is the betrayer of your spirit.

 John 13:26-28 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Judas Iscariot was an official bonafide member of the 12 disciples. He was an integral part of their body. He was ordained of God and chosen by Jesus. He was the only disciple who was not a Galilean.

 Judas represents the carnal mind in you. This mind is the child of Eden’s fall. It is the epicenter of self-destruction, lust, avarious, envy, self-will, and spiritual death. It makes worldly choices and sells your spirit to the Romans. Just as Satan entered into Judas, so also Satan enters into your life through the carnal mind in you.

 KJV Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

 Like Judas, the carnal mind was added to the Adamic nature last, during the fall in Eden. Although he is an official member of the body, he was not original equipment. Judas Iscariot is the carnal mind, the sarx, that was added to Adam and Eve in Eden..

 Mat 27:3-5 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

 KJV Matthew 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

 KJV Matthew 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

 KJV Matthew 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

 KJV Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

 KJV Mark 14:17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

 KJV Mark 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

 KJV Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

 KJV Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

 KJV John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

 Within our Adamic natures are hidden the seeds of our own destruction. This is the carnal mind that was bonded to your Adamic nature in Eden.

John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 

KJV Matthew 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 KJV Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

 KJV Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

 KJV Matthew 15:16-20 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart (Carnal Mind); and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Judas sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

 KJV Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 

After the betrayal Judas cast the money back into the temple and hanged himself.

 KJV Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

 The thirty pieces of silver were used to buy a potter’s field, that is, a burying place or cemetary for strangers.

 KJV Matthew 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

 All of this was described by Zechariah.

 KJV Zechariah 11:7-14 And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9 Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. 10 And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. 12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 14 Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

 Zechariah said the Old Covenant would be broken for thirty pieces of silver. The money would then be cast back into the house of Yahweh. This was accomplished by Judas when he betrayed Jesus to the cross.

 But Judas also represents the carnal mind in you. He is a legitimate part of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, but he was the only disciple that was not a Galilean. Judas was a stranger, an outsider, just as the carnal mind was added to Adam and Eve at Eden’s fall.

 Your carnality is a legitimate portion of your human makeup and it is this portion that will ultimately betray your spirit and arrange for its sacrifice. Seeking carnal, fleshly, worldly gain this mind in you will one day bring your spirit to a cross of cunning construction.

 With his service accomplished, Judas hanged himself. So also, your carnality will not live forever. After it has brought about the crucifixion of your spirit in this world it will then self-destruct in the tumultuous aftermath. This is the death of your fleshly self-will and the birth in your spirit of Thy will be done. This sacrifice will terminate the Old Covenant in you.

 The money that Judas received was ultimately cast back into the temple from whence it came and used to purchase a burying place for strangers. So also the worldly gain that your carnality seeks will only purchase its own grave. This is all that can be hoped from the physical side of the Adamic experience. Judas fulfilled the actions described by Zechariah and the carnal mind in you will personally fulfill these actions inside your spirit.  

KJV Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Fortunately there is more to you than just the physical. You are mostly composed of spirit which originally found its source in Yahweh. When your carnality arranges the crucifixion of your spirit this will terminate the Old Covenant, but this same sacrifice will also ratify the New Covenant in you, by the death of this new testator.

 KJV Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

 Your carnality and the betrayal of your spirit were both ordained by God before he made the world. Death, burial, and resurrection is the overcoming process for those being matured into the likeness of Christ. As this process has its perfect work it will ultimately bring you into the capacity and brotherhood of Jesus. Your sacrifice will usher you into the experience of Christ and company of the firstborn Sons of God.

 After Judas departed the disciples they began to exhibit the glorious acts of the apostles and to flourish in miracles, power, and revelation. So also, when the carnal mind is removedfrom you, you can expect the explosion of your spirit with the same miraculous results.

 What’s happening on this planet has nothing whatever to do with gaining riches, power, or prestige. It has only to do with your Heavenly Father’s work to perfect a living spirit within you.

 KJV 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

Phase 3: The New Creatures – Becoming the Sons of God

 After receiving the breath of life from the resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (both came to the same room), these people were very different. There was something about them that was radically changed. They were more than mere men. There was something new present that was more than Adam, Jew, or Israel. Their spirits had come into contact with the resurrected life of Jesus Christ and they had conceived to immortal splendor. They were spiritual embryos, developing into the offspring of God himself, , enrolled in a course of gestative maturation, holding to the promise that would eventually birth them as the Sons of God. They represent the maturing process of the Sons of God. They were growing into the Sacred Secret kept secret since the world began; Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

 KJV Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

 KJV Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 KJV Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

 KJV Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.)

 KJV Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

 KJV Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 KJV Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

 KJV Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

 KJV Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

 KJV Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

 KJV Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

 KJV Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

 KJV Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

 KJV Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

KJV Acts 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

 KJV Acts 18:28 For he [Paul] mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

 KJV Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

 KJV 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

 Still beset with human frailty; not yet entirley perfect

 KJV Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

 Afflicted & Killed

 KJV John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

 KJV John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 

KJV Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

 KJV Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

 KJV Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.

 And so also is the teaching of Christ

 KJV Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 KJV Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

 KJV Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

 KJV John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

 KJV Psalm 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

 Martyred

 Extracted from Fox’s Book of Martyrs, first published in 1554:

 Stephen, was stoned, along with Nicanor and two thousand other Christians.

 KJV Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

 James (The Great), son of Zebedee, the older brother of John, and a relative of our Lord, for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. He was beheaded by Herod Agrippa in AD 44. Seeing his courage and undauntedness, his accuser was converted on the spot by James, received his forgiveness, and beheaded at the same time.

 Philip, was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, AD 54.

 Matthew, real name Levi, author of the Gospel of Matthew, labored in Parthia and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, AD 60. (A halberd was a common weapon in the 15th and 16th centuries, a long spear with a battle-ax on the end.) 

James (The Less), most likely the half-brother of Jesus, Mary’s younger son, wrote the epistle of James. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews, and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

Matthias, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

 Andrew, the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations, but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew’s Cross.

 Mark, converted by Peter, author of the Gospel of Mark. He was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol.

 Peter, crucified at Rome upside down at his own request, because he said he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus.

 Paul, writer of most of the New Testament, beheaded by Nero. Paul converted the two soldiers who came to execute him, then gave his neck to their sword.

 Jude, the brother of James (The Less), was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, AD 72.

 Bartholomew, preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew in to the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

 Thomas, called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

 Luke, the evangelist, author of the Gospel of Luke, was hanged on an olive tree by the idolatrous priests of Greece.

 Simon, surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, AD 74.

 John (The Beloved), son of Zebedee, brother to James the Great. Founded the churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira. Arrested by Domitian, taken to Rome, and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Afterwards he was banished to the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. 

KJV Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup.

 KJV 1 Corinthians 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

 KJV Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

 They Attained to Christ

 KJV Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

 Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 KJV Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

What Caused Their Change?

 When did they change from carnal and fearful into maturing Sons? Not at the cross. Jesus’ crucifixion did not change them at all. Their change came only after they received the breath of life and the Holy Spirit, both in the upper room, during the next fifty days. 

 How were they Called, Chosen, & Matured ?

 Surprise = By PREDESTINATION alone!

 They didn’t DO anything to be selected. They were just plain people, like us. None of them did anything special to cause their call of God. They were working and doing what seemed to be right to them at the time, until the hopeful tug of immortality overshadowed their lives. It’s not what you do, or say, that sets you on the path to life; it is who you are.

 Then receiving the seed of transformation and resurrection from Christ, and the water of the Holy Spirit into the fertile ground of their human experience, they left all and burst onto the path that leads to the Creator’s immortality. These were Sons in the making, newly conceived New Creatures, walking within the confines of Adamic mortality and devouring the human experience. They all failed, betimes, along the way, but they kept at it. They refused to be derailed or detained.

 Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

 KJV Ephesians 1:10-11 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

 KJV John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 KJV 1 Peter 2:9 Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

 KJV Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 The Path for You

 If Carnality self-destructs & the true followers are predestinated, what is your challenge to become an overcomer??

 Rev. 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 The situation you see demonstrated by the Disciples is where you are sitting now. Their example is the path before you. You have been predestinated to the knowledge of Christ in you. Their road is the road you are on , and it leads to the same goal.

1. You were named of God before he made the world.

2. You came to earth to take part in the rigorous teaching of the unregenerate Adamic nature and its attendant carnality.

3. You were called of Jesus Christ. You began to follow him, to learn of him, to adopt his teachings in your thoughts and actions.

4. Your spirit conceives to the genetics of YHWH.

5. You abandon all and follow him.

6. Your spirit is matured as your carnality is subdued and shed.

7. Your life becomes a living sacrifice; you become a martyr for the witness of his work in you. Evil is sent away; good is sacrificed. Your carnal mind self-destructs.

8. Arriving at maturity, at a place where your spirit can survive outside the womb with the umbilical cord cut, you are scheduled for the First Resurrection, out from among the dead.

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