Call Of First Disciples Series

These twelve disciples were appointed as Apostles (Apostolos), which meant the one who is sent out with a special commission as an ambassador with fully authorised representative. The apostles are generally listed in order of importance and paired according to their associations. Discipleship means to follow him as a practicing disciple, and pleasing disciple.

Jesus separates ''the twelve'' for special training so they can be equipped to heal (Matthew 10:1), cast out demons, and spread the gospel. Jesus called his disciples one by one at various occasions form their various vocations. He taught them the values of his kingdom, he trained them in healing, caring, and in preaching. He taught them to face the crisis, needs and being faithful civilian.

Disciples were: Jesus spent the whole night in prayer and in the morning, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named apostles. (Luke 6:12-13). We find the names of the disciples in the Gospel books of Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19 and Luke 6:13-16.

The Twelve are named in the following series: We can group them into three: First five, then five and finally two.

Frist five are: Simon Peter was the first disciple in the synoptic gospels. Peter comes from Petros meaning Rock, Jesus named him ‘Kephas‘ an Aramaic name. But Gospel of John projects Andrew as a first disciple. Andrew comes from Andreas means man or manly. John means God is gracious. James comes from Lakobos means Jacob. John and James were called as sons of Thunder. Philip comes from Philippos means Lover of horses. 

Second Five are: Bartholomew ("friend of Philip", “Gospel of John refers him as Nathanael") from bartholomaios means Son of Talmai, Talmai means plowman. Thomas from Aramaic te’oma means ‘twin’. Matthew ("the publican", "or Levi") comes from Maththaios means gift of Yahweh; he was also called Levi. James means short. Thaddaeus Greek meaning is gift of God but in Aramaic, it means Beast.

The last two are: Simon from the Zealot group. Simon (Heb: Simeon means hearing) Simon (Greek name) means flat nosed. Judas comes from Judah (praise Yahweh), Iscariot is a Hebrew word ‘Ish Kerioth‘means ‘a man from Kerioth.’

Their discipleship began with Jesus’ call and their will to follow Him (Mathew 9:9). Jesus was quite explicit about the cost of following Him. Discipleship requires a totally committed life: “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Sacrifice is expected: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’” (Matthew 16:24). 

We need to respond to Jesus through renouncing self, recognising the voice of God, and rejoicing in trials, remain in him, rest in him and regard others very highly. So, we need to crucify the evil, carnal aspirations and desires that torment our thoughts and lives. We have to deny self, and die to the carnality.