GREAT COMMISION

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DISCIPLES

Testimonies of the Twelve Disciples 

The lives of the Twelve Disciples are powerful testimonies of transformation, faith, sacrifice, and obedience. Chosen from ordinary backgrounds, they became witnesses of Jesus Christ and carriers of His message to the world.


1. Peter (Simon) – Testimony of Restoration and Leadership

Peter was impulsive and even denied Jesus three times, yet he repented and was restored. His life shows that failure is not the end when there is repentance. He later became a bold preacher and leader of the early Church (Acts 2).

Role in Early Church:-Leader among the apostles; preached the first sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41).

Spreading the Teachings

Evangelized Jews and Gentiles; opened the Church to non-Jews through Cornelius (Acts 10)

Struggles & Growth

Denied Christ three times (Luke 22:54–62), later restored (John 21:15–17). His failure became the foundation of humble leadership

Impact:-Strengthened the Church under persecution; remembered as the “rock” of faith (Matthew 16:18)

Key Lesson: God can transform weakness into strength.


2. James (Son of Zebedee) – Testimony of Courage

James was among the closest to Jesus and became the first apostle to be martyred for his faith (Acts 12:2).

Role:-Part of Jesus’ inner circle (Matthew 17:1)

Spreading the Teachings

Witnessed boldly in Jerusalem

Struggles & Growth

Once sought earthly honor (Mark 10:35–37), later embraced suffering

Impact:-First apostolic martyr (Acts 12:2), proving the Gospel worth dying

Key Lesson:- True discipleship requires courage and sacrifice.


3. John – Testimony of Love and Faithfulness

Known as the “beloved disciple,” John emphasized love, truth, and relationship with Christ. He remained faithful even at the cross and later wrote about God’s love.

Role:-Teacher of love and theology in the Early Church

Spreading the Teachings

Ministered in Ephesus; authored Gospel, Epistles, and Revelation

Struggles & Growth

Once called down judgment (Luke 9:54), transformed into the apostle of love (1 John 4:7)

Impact:-Shaped Christian understanding of Christ’s divinity and sacrificial love

Key Lesson: -The foundation of Christian life is love.


4. Andrew – Testimony of Bringing Others to Christ


Andrew is remembered for introducing people to Jesus, including his brother Peter.

Role:-A missionary connector—bringing people to Christ (John 1:40–42)

Spreading the Teachings

Tradition says he preached in Asia Minor and Greece

Struggles & Growth

Worked quietly without prominence, showing faithfulness without recognition

Impact:-Model of personal evangelism—introducing individuals who later shaped the Church

Key Lesson: -Evangelism often begins with one simple invitation.


5. Philip – Testimony of Seeking Understanding

Philip asked questions and desired clarity, showing that faith grows through seeking and learning.

Role:-Evangelist and teacher

Spreading the Teachings

Shared Christ logically and relationally (John 1:45–46)

Struggles & Growth

Slow to understand spiritual truths (John 14:8–9)

Impact:-Demonstrated that faith matures through questioning and learning

Key Lesson:- Honest questions can deepen faith.


6. Bartholomew (Nathanael) – Testimony of Sincerity

Initially skeptical, Nathanael became a faithful follower when he encountered Christ personally.

Role:-Witness to Christ’s authenticity.

Spreading the Teachings

Tradition places missions in India and Armenia

Struggles & Growth

Moved from skepticism to full surrender (John 1:46–49)

Impact:-Encourages honest seekers that doubt can lead to deep faith

Key Lesson:- A sincere heart leads to true belief.


7. Matthew (Levi) – Testimony of Transformation

Once a tax collector (despised by society), Matthew left everything to follow Jesus and later wrote a Gospel.

Role:-Bridge between Jewish tradition and Christ’s fulfillment.

Spreading the Teachings

Authored the Gospel emphasizing Jesus as Messiah.

Struggles & Growth

Left wealth and social status instantly (Matthew 9:9).

Impact:-His Gospel became foundational for teaching and discipleship.

Key Lesson: No one is beyond God’s grace.


8. Thomas – Testimony of Doubt Turned to Faith

Thomas doubted the resurrection but, after encountering Jesus, made one of the strongest confessions of faith.

Role:-Missionary theologian

Spreading the Teachings

Tradition records ministry in Persia and India

Struggles & Growth

Doubted the Resurrection (John 20:25) yet made the strongest confession of faith (John 20:28)

Impact:-Shows faith is strengthened through encounter, not blind acceptance

Key Lesson: Doubt can lead to deeper conviction when met with truth.


9. James (Son of Alphaeus) – Testimony of Humble Service

Little is recorded about him, showing that not all service is visible, yet it is valuable.

Role:-Faithful but less visible leader

Spreading the Teachings

Served quietly within early Christian communities

Struggles & Growth

Little recorded—his obscurity reflects humility in service

Impact:-Represents the countless unseen workers who sustain the Church

Key Lesson: Faithfulness matters more than recognition.


10. Thaddeus (Judas, Son of James) – Testimony of Seeking Revelation

He desired to understand how Christ reveals Himself to believers

Role:-Encourager and teacher

Spreading the Teachings

Tradition links him to missions in Syria and Mesopotamia

Struggles & Growth

Sought understanding of Christ’s revelation (John 14:22)

Impact:-Associated with hope and perseverance in difficult missions

Key Lesson:-Spiritual understanding comes through relationship with Christ.


11. Simon the Zealot – Testimony of Changed Zeal

Once associated with political revolution, Simon redirected his passion toward God’s kingdom.

Role:-Example of transformed allegiance

Spreading the Teachings

From political revolutionary to spiritual missionary

Struggles & Growth

Had to surrender nationalism for the Kingdom of God

Impact:-Shows the Gospel unites people across ideological divides

Key Lesson:- God redirects human passion for divine purposes.


12. Judas Iscariot – Testimony of Warning

Judas followed Jesus outwardly but allowed greed and betrayal to take root.

Role:-Example of transformed allegiance

Spreading the Teachings

From political revolutionary to spiritual missionary

Struggles & Growth

Had to surrender nationalism for the Kingdom of God

Impact:-Shows the Gospel unites people across ideological divides.


Role:-Treasurer among the apostles (John 12:6).

Spreading the Teachings

Initially participated in ministry like the others.

Struggles & Growth

Struggled with greed and disillusionment (Matthew 26:14–16).

Impact
His betrayal fulfilled prophecy and serves as a warning about inward faithlessness.

Key Lesson: True discipleship requires a transformed heart, not just outward association.

Saint Matthias replaced Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles, as recorded in Acts 1:21–26. He was chosen by the remaining apostles through prayer and the casting of lots after Jesus' Ascension, having been a follower throughout Jesus' entire ministry, from his baptism to his Ascension. 


Selection: Following Judas Iscariot's death, the apostles required a replacement who had been with them during Jesus' earthly ministry.

Candidates: The two candidates proposed were Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

Method: The apostles prayed for guidance and cast lots, which fell upon Matthias.

Background: Matthias was among the 72 disciples sent out by Jesus to preach and was present with the apostles at Pentecost. 

Matthias is traditionally believed to have preached in Judea and later died as a martyr. 

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