12 Apostles And Their Characteristics (first four apostles and their characteristics)

 

Before I highlight the 12 Apostles and their characteristics, let me first list the names of the 12 disciples of Jesus.

1. Peter

2. Andrew

3. James

4. John

5. Matthew

6. Philip

7. Bartholomew

8. Thomas

9. James, the son of Alphaeus

10. Simon the zealot

11. Judas Thaddeus

12. Judas Iscariot

1. Peter, the disciple of Jesus:

The characteristics of Peter, an apostle of Jesus…

a. The first characteristic of the first apostle of Jesus was that Peter didn’t believe anything until he confirmed whatever it was.

In detail, even though Jesus revealed his identity after his 12 disciples taught he was a ghost, Peter still insisted that if he was the one he should bid him to come on water.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

Matthew 14:27-28

b. The second characteristic of the first apostle of Jesus was that Peter's faith in Jesus was little even though he was the closest apostle to the son of God.

In detail, one would have thought that the most enviable position in the whole wide world is to be the closest apostle of Jesus; of course, it is. Peter, an apostle of Jesus, enjoyed this position throughout in the Bible days, unfortunately he never exhibited the faith that commensurate such enviable position.

After Jesus commanded him to come on water with him, he did walk on it. As interesting and quite shocking as that sounds, Peter’s experience was short-lived as he sank into water because of fear. His fear was much more than the faith in he had in the word of Jesus who bid him to come on water with him.

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Matthew 14:30

c. The third characteristic of the first apostle of Jesus was that Peter recognized no one else as the savior except Jesus.

Ever before Jesus revealed his mission to save the world, Peter recognized him as the ultimate savior. He demonstrated the aforementioned assertion when he called on Jesus immediately he began to sink into the sea.

d. The fourth characteristic of the first apostle of Jesus was that Peter was very inquisitive.

He wanted to know almost everything going on around him. That was why he couldn’t keep quiet after he heard the parable of Jesus about what defiles a man.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”

Matthew 15:15

At a point when Jesus explained how difficult it would be for a rich person to get to heaven, Peter asked him of what would be their gain as followers. His mind never stopped making enquiry.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

Matthew 19:27

At another time, Peter asked Jesus of how many times he could forgive his brother if he kept on offending him. All of the given instances revealed the inquisitive character in Peter.

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Matthew 18:21

e. The fifth characteristic of the first apostle of Jesus was that he was overconfident in his ability to do certain things.

Of course, as follower of Christ, no one is expected to be overconfident in his or her ability to do — or not to do — anything; the confidence of a Christian must be in the Lord.

As a result of his overconfidence, Peter assured Jesus that he would never stumble because of him even if everyone did stumble. In addition, he went as far as telling Jesus, his master, that even at the point of death he would never deny him.

Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

Matthew 26:33

Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:35

2. Andrew, the disciple of Jesus:

The characteristics of Andrew, an apostle of Jesus…

a. The first characteristic of the second apostle of Jesus was that he was inquisitive.

Just as his brother, Peter, was, inquisitive, so was Andrew. At a point when Jesus talked about what would happen to the stones used in building the temple, he was moved to explain in detail all the signs people would see on the day of his return to the earth. That happened because of the inquisitiveness of Andrew and three other apostles of Jesus — Peter, James and John.

b. The second characteristic of the second apostle of Jesus: Andrew was very good at keeping good relationship with those around him.

As good as he was at keeping a close relationship with those around him, he didn’t make the list of the three close associate of Jesus. Jesus appointed only Peter, James and John. Even though he knew about the choice of his master, he never allow the decision of Jesus to change his lovely characteristic of keeping good relationship with the other disciples and with Jesus.

This lovely characteristic of Andrew, the apostle, made him very close to Philip, another apostle of Jesus. After the Pharisees left the scene of the people who witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead, they sought Jesus through Philip.

As expected, Philip was supposed to go straight to Jesus to inform him, but he went to inform Andrew, who later took him alongside himself to inform Jesus.

Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

John 12:22

c. The third characteristic of the second apostle of Jesus: Andrew was a man who needed no sign to believe whatever he heard from a trusted person.

This was why he followed the Lord Jesus immediately John the Baptist pointed at Christ without first confirming the real identity of Jesus or asking for apparent and believable signs like Thomas, another apostle of Jesus.

36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

John 1:36-40

3. James, the disciple of Jesus:

The characteristics of James, an apostle of Jesus…

a. The first characteristic of the third apostle of Jesus: James was a doer and not a talker. He meant every word that came out of his mouth.

That was why Jesus didn’t dispute his assertion, with that of his brother John, when they stated that they were able to drink the cup of Christ and even get baptized with the same of baptism of him. In other words, they were ready to suffer whatever Christ would suffer, irrespective of the level of pain that accompanies such hardship.

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;

Mark 10:38-39

b. The second characteristic of the third apostle of Jesus: James knew what he wanted I life and also how to get it.

When he desired to occupy the right hand side of Jesus I’m Heaven, he made that his definite request known to the right person, in the person of Jesus.

Even though Jesus couldn’t grant his request, James at least did the necessary thing based on the characteristic of an apostle he was known for.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

Mark 10:35-40

c. The third characteristic of the third apostle of Jesus: James knew the old testament by heart even though he was not learned.

James reminded Jesus of what Elijah did when the king summoned his soldiers to arrest him. Of course, Elijah commanded fire to come down and burn the soldiers. Based on that incident, James wanted Christ to permit him and his brother, John, to do likewise so as to punish the Samaritans who never wanted Jesus in their village.

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

Luke 9:54

4. John, the disciple of Jesus:

The characteristics of john, an apostle of Jesus…

a. The first characteristic of the fourth apostle of Jesus: John was a doer, also… like his brother, and not a talker. He meant every word that came out of his mouth.

That was why Jesus didn’t dispute his assertion, with that of his brother James, when they stated that they were able to drink the cup of Christ and even get baptized with the same of baptism of him. In other words, they were ready to suffer whatever Christ would suffer, irrespective of the level of pain that accompanies such hardship.

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;

Mark 10:38-39

b. The second characteristic of the fourth apostle of Jesus: James knew what he wanted in life and also how to get it.

When he desired to occupy the right hand side of Jesus in Heaven, he made that his definite request known to the right person, in the person of Jesus.

Even though Jesus couldn’t grant his request, John at least did the necessary thing based on the characteristic of an apostle he was known for.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

Mark 10:35-40

c. The third characteristic of the fourth apostle of Jesus: John knew the old testament by heart even though he was not learned.

John reminded Jesus of what Elijah did when the king summoned his soldiers to arrest him. Of course, Elijah commanded fire to come down and burn the soldiers. Based on that incident, John wanted Christ to permit him and his brother, James, to do likewise so as to punish the Samaritans who never wanted Jesus in their village.

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

Luke 9:54