The Apostles were a group of early followers of Jesus Christ who played a significant role in the establishment and spread of Christianity. According to the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus selected twelve individuals to be his closest disciples and entrusted them with spreading his teachings and carrying out his mission. Here is a list of the twelve apostles commonly recognized in Christian tradition:
- Simon Peter: He is considered the most prominent of the apostles and is often referred to as the “rock” upon which Jesus built his church.
- Andrew: He was Peter’s brother and is known for bringing Peter to Jesus. He is often associated with evangelism and missions.
- James, son of Zebedee: He, along with his brother John, was one of the Sons of Thunder. He was one of the inner circle of apostles and was present at significant events such as the Transfiguration.
- John: He was James’s brother and is often referred to as the “beloved disciple.” He is known for his Gospel, letters, and the Book of Revelation.
- Philip: He was from Bethsaida and is associated with bringing Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) to Jesus. He is mentioned in the Gospel of John.
- Bartholomew (Nathanael): He is often identified with Nathanael, who is mentioned in the Gospel of John and is known for his skepticism about Jesus.
- Thomas: He is commonly referred to as “Doubting Thomas” because he initially doubted Jesus’s resurrection but later became a faithful follower. He is associated with his questioning nature.
- Matthew (Levi): He was a tax collector before becoming an apostle. He is known for his Gospel, which is one of the four canonical Gospels.
- James, son of Alphaeus: He is sometimes called James the Less to differentiate him from James, the son of Zebedee. Little is known about him.
- Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James): He is also known as Lebbaeus and is often identified with Thaddaeus in the Gospel of Matthew and Judas, not Iscariot, in the Gospel of John.
- Simon the Zealot: He is sometimes called Simon the Cananaean or Simon the Zealot. The term “Zealot” may refer to his association with a Jewish political movement.
- Judas Iscariot: He is infamously known for betraying Jesus to the religious authorities, which led to Jesus’s crucifixion.
It’s important to note that the details and accounts of the apostles’ lives and ministries come primarily from the New Testament, particularly the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Acts of the Apostles, and some epistles (letters) written by apostles.