A Look On Their Lives And Death. Series

#3~ THE APOSTLES 12-21-13

Today we'll continue with our study to do with the apostles, and bring a few thoughts on their lives and death. -- James the son of Zebedee, and brother of John, is the only apostolic martyrdom recorded in Scripture, it's in Acts 12:1.

~ In his Ecclesiastical History book, Eusebius, tells about the officer who was attached to James, and commissioned with guarding him, he tells that the officer was so impressed with the apostle James witness, that before James was martyred, this officer confessed Christ as Savior and was beheaded with the apostle James. -- Paul was said to be beheaded by Nero.

~ The Bible does not give us a record about the ways in which the apostles died, -- We must rely on early church historians and secular historians as well, but both seem to be in agreement and both are reliable. -- Because of this, we have no reason to disbelieve these accounts as the majority of them agree on the method of the apostles' deaths. --

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* Today we'll think and talk about: -- ANDREW:

The name "ANDREW" means (manly). He was the brother of Simon Peter and one of Jesus' first disciples.

~Andrew most likely was younger than Peter, their father named "John or Jonas" probably was dead at the time both Peter and Andrew became disciples.

* Both Andrew and Peter were fishermen;

>Matt. 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.

~They were from Bethsaida on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee. They also had a house at Capernaum in this vicinity. --

Mark 1: 29-31 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon [right away] they tell him of her. 31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

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~According to the Gospel of John, Andrew and an unnamed friend were among the followers of John the Baptist.

>John 1:35--40 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. [About 4 pm] 40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

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~All lists of the disciples name Andrew among the first four (Matt. 10:2--4; Mark 3:16--19; Luke 6:14--16; and Acts as well- 1:13

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~According to tradition, Andrew was crucified but he was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Greece. ---The fact that he was in Greece may mean that he was busy taking the gospel to the whole world...at least the known world.

~ It is believed that while he hung on that cross and was dying, he called to the crowds and taught them about Jesus Christ and how they might be saved, he was sharing the gospel up until the very time of his death on the x-shaped cross...being loyal to the very end. -- Two whole days the martyr Andrew remained hanging on the cross alive, preaching, with outstretched arms fastened on the X shaped cross.

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~Andrew is not mentioned very often in the gospels, but what is recorded of him reveals him as a humble, devoted and consistent disciple of Jesus Christ who was very close to Jesus.

>Mark 13:3-4 And as HE ** sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, ** [OTHER SIDE] Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

* It was Andrew that Tells Jesus of the Greeks who sought to see him.

>John 12:20-22 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: --- 21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

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* It was Andrew that reports the number of loaves and fishes at the feeding of the five thousand.