If you ask school students to mention the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, you will be surprised at the response you will get. Most Christians know Peter, Matthew, John, Andrew, James and Judas because their names appeared almost all the time a story is shared in the Bible. In fact, some names are worth mentioning all the time, in the church. Names like Peter — who became the foundation of the church — John and James.
Contrarily, people are not conversant with names like Lebbaeus, James (Alphaeus) and Simon (Canaanite). You will hardly hear their names, even, in a church setting.
For Philip, he’s always mistaken for Philip who preached to Eunuch. The later one was chosen by the church to serve as a deacon alongside Stephen in the book of Act.
Before the first disciple was killed, every follower of Christ would have expected a luxurious life for the apostles. Having spent three years with the Son of God, they must have received the power to conquer the world. Of course, they did; yet encountered lots of challenges.
tThey suffered and were seriously persecuted. Eventually, they were killed, one after another — with the exception of Peter who lived long as predicted by Jesus — in despicable manners.
If you were asked about who would be the first to be killed among the twelve Apostles, you would have come up with a name without thinking twice. Some would have said Peter, perhaps, because he was their leader after the ascension of Christ, while some would have suggested James or John. Great! The two previously mentioned people were known for their overzealousness. There was even a time they told Jesus to allow them command fire to burn a city.
Due to overzealousness, he named them “sons of thunder.”
Your guess would have been as good as mine. I would have chosen either James or John.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.”
Acts 12:1-2 Nkjv.
Herod successfully killed James. That was the first disciple or apostle who was killed in the Bible.
In conclusion, being born again doesn’t mean you will enjoy this world. Quite the contrary, followers of Christ will suffer tribulations beyond anyone’s imagination. Don’t be moved by the earthly possessions and extravagant lifestyles of some pastors. The cost of discipleship is too much to be joked with.
Are you a true disciple?
