Exact dates are unknown.

Ministry

Thomas was called as one of Jesus‘ original Twelve Apostles.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Same as other of the Twelve in general.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

“Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed” (John 20:26-29).

Living with the Prophet

Thomas has become known as Doubting Thomas because he told the Apostles who had seen the Savior when he himself was not present: “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Most of us find believing in miracles difficult, at least at times. Consider the various types of miracles that you have seen in your life, including the small miracles of life. How can you increase your faith in God’s miracles?

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are not known.

Ministry

John is the author of the Gospel of John. He was one of three Apostles during Jesus Christ’s ministry who were witness to the raising of Jairus’s daughter, the Transfiguration, and the Savior’s agony in Gethsemane. Following Jesus‘ Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection, John continued to teach the gospel. After he was banished to the isle of Patmos for doing so, he continued writing and is responsible for having written what is now know as the book of Revelation.

Preparation and Calling

John seems to have been an early disciple of John the Baptist. Professionally he was a fairly successful fisherman on the Sea of Galilee prior to his being called to serve as one of Jesus’s Twelve Apostles. Jesus called both him and his brother, James, while they were mending fishing nets with their father. Their obedience is demonstrated by the simple statement: “They immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him” (Matt. 4:22).

Interaction with God

John’s love for the Savior is clear from the accounts of the Crucifixion and Resurrection in particular. That he sought and received direction from the heavens himself is manifest by the book that now concludes the New Testament-the Revelation of St. John.

Social Situation

Proselyting a new religion.

Key Teachings

John’s teachings are filled with imagery and symbols-light, dark, vines, sheep, and the like. Such images are combined with a love for Jesus Christ to bear firm testimony of the Son of God.

Testimony of Christ

“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31).

Living with the Prophet

John was working with his brother James, alongside his father, mending fishing nets for the family business when Jesus called to him and invited him to follow and become one of his disciples. Immediately the two sons of Zebedee left their nets to follow the Master. Little is said of their father, but it is difficult to believe that both sons would leave their father alone without his encouragement to do so. How can you be more supportive of people you love-family and friends-who become involved in doing good to others?

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are unknown. Tradition holds that Paul was martyred by being beheaded during Nero’s persecution of the Christians in the mid-60s B.C.

Ministry

Paul became one of early Christianities most successful missionaries. Following his conversion, he preached throughout much of what is now the Middle East and southern Europe. He is perhaps best known for a series of lengthy missionary tours.

Preparation and Calling

Known as Saul prior to his conversion, he was a Pharisee and a student of Gamaliel. He vigorously persecuted Christians in his protection of Jewish traditions. However, while traveling to pursue some additional persecution in Damascus, he had a vision in which he saw Jesus Christ. This reversed his direction, he changed to his Latin name Paul, and he became as adamant about Christianity as he had been about his Jewishness.

Interaction with God

Paul was a visionary and very inspired man. He developed a close relationship with God and seemed to receive inspiration in a variety of spiritual ways.

Social Situation

Paul placed himself in an interesting position: prior to his position, he was a militant persecutor of Christianity, even taking part in the stoning of Stephen. He was apparently well known for his position. However, after his conversion, he began teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ among the very people he had so actively protected from its message earlier. He was a fearless proselyter and was often persecuted himself for his actions. He was arrested more than once and taken to Rome for sentencing. Tradition holds that he probably suffered martyrdom in the spring of A.D. 65.

Key Teachings

Although Paul is well known for his proselyting efforts, his numerous letters that make up what is now called the Pauline epistles in the New Testament are written to converts and congregations who had a fair understanding of the gospel already. In those letters, he covers a wide variety of topics, based on the needs of that particular congregation, but he was not shy about calling them to repentance for whatever was keeping them from proper gospel living.

Testimony of Christ

Paul bore fervent testimony of Jesus Christ. Here is just a sampling:

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:10-11).

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“For Christ sent me . . . to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17).

Living with the Prophet

Paul’s dramatic reversal of his life’s direction is a witness that even the most committed persecutors of Christ’s followers can change their lives and become believers. Resolve in your heart today to never give up in teaching those around you about your beliefs. Don’t be obnoxious about it, but neither should you back down from your beliefs. Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:16). Join him today in that commitment.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are unknown. Tradition holds that Peter was martyred in Rome in approximately A.D. 64 or 65.

Ministry

Peter, along with fellow Apostles James and John, formed the inner core or presidency of the Twelve Apostles. He was at the Mount of Transfiguration and Gethsemane with them. His ministry was also extended through letter writing (see the Epistles of Peter).

Preparation and Calling

Peter was living in Capernaum with his wife and his wife’s mother and fishing with his brother, Andrew, when Jesus called him to follow him and become his disciple. He indeed became the chief Apostle of Jesus’ Twelve.

Interaction with God

Peter was certainly a close friend and disciple of Jesus Christ. One would assume that because of that, he would have had a solid understanding of and relationship with the Father as well.

Social Situation

Proselyting a new religion.

Key Teachings

Under Peter’s direction, Mark wrote his Gospel. Peter was a firm advocate of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, and was committed to his faith in Christ all the rest of his days.

Testimony of Christ

“[Jesus] saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:15-16).

Living with the Prophet

Sometimes we remember Peter for his temper or for his denial of the Savior, but Peter overcame his weaknesses through faith. Choose one of your own shortcomings, and make a commitment to turn it into a strength through consistent faith in Jesus Christ.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are not known.

Ministry

According to the Gospel of John (13:18), Jesus chose Judas Iscariot as one of his Twelve Apostles knowing that Judas would betray him. Accordingly, it is for his betrayal of Jesus, in return for 30 pieces of silver, that Judas Iscariot is known. He died directly following the betrayal, either by hanging himself or by leaping to his death (the accounts in Matthew and Acts differ).

Preparation and Calling

Nothing is known of Judas’ background prior to his calling as one of Jesus’ select Twelve, other than that he came from a village in southern Judea named Kerioth.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

The Apostle John claimed that Judas was a thief. He sold his Savior out to the Jewish authorities for 30 pieces of silver, but we cannot determine his motives for doing so from the scriptural record.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Living with the Prophet

NA

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are not known.

Ministry

James, along with fellow Apostles Peter and John, formed the inner core or presidency of the Twelve Apostles. He was at the Mount of Transfiguration and Gethsemane. The book of Acts mentions that Herod Agrippa I had him killed, making him the second martyr of the church (Stephen was first) and the first of the Apostles to die (after Judas Iscariot, of course).

Preparation and Calling

James was in the fishing business, partnered with his brother John and Simon Peter, when Jesus called them to join him.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Same as other of the Twelve in general.

Key Teachings

Unknown, although he clearly loved the Savior.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Living with the Prophet

na

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates not known.

Ministry

The New Testament does not provide a record of James’ ministry.

Preparation and Calling

Although there is speculation that this James is the same as James the younger, and therefore the son of one of the Marys at both the crucifixion and resurrection, we cannot know for certain how he was prepared to serve as one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Same as other of the Twelve in general.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Uncertain.

Ministry

It is possible that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. Nothing certain is known about his particular ministry, although an apocryphal text speaks of his proselyting in Egypt, Persian, India, and Armenia.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Same as other of the Twelve in general.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Living with the Prophet

NA.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are uncertain.

Ministry

Though not one of the Twelve in the New Testament, Joseph, surnamed Barnabas, was nonetheless considered an Apostle and therefore a prophet and teacher of righteousness. He seems to have served as Paul’s senior companion in taking the gospel to Cyprus and Iconium, and was actually responsible for introducing Paul (then Saul) to Jesus’ original Apostles.

Preparation and Calling

Joseph Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus who was very supportive of the growth of the Church. Little else is known.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Barnabas played a leading role in taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles. He made a large donation to the church in Jerusalem and actively proselyted with Paul.

Key Teachings

Little is known of Barnabas’s teachings in the scripture canon, although a second-century text called the Epistle of Barnabas is credited to his name.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Living with the Prophet

One of Barnabas’s first recorded acts in the New Testament was a large financial contribution to the Church in Jerusalem. He supported the new faith by selling his land and bringing the proceeds of the sale to the Apostles for their use as they saw fit. But we need not be wealthy landowners to contribute to the cause of promoting the gospel. What can you do to support the work of those who are called to move the work of God forward in today’s world?

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are uncertain. Concerning Andrew’s death, tradition holds that he was martyred on an X-shaped cross. (An interesting sidenote: that symbol is now on the flag of Great Britain and represents Scotland, whose patron Saint is Andrew.)

Ministry

Andrew’s home town was Bethsaida of Galilee. He made his living as a fisherman, with his brother Simon Peter, on the Sea of Galilee prior to his calling as a disciple of Jesus.

Preparation and Calling

Andrew was apparently a disciple of John the Baptist. He was Simon Peter’s brother, and first introduced Simon Peter to Jesus. They were later called together to become disciples of Jesus. Andrew was not as prominent as his brother in early Church leadership, although he is usually listed as either second or fourth in scriptural lists of the Twelve Apostles.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Jesus was beginning His ministry when He called on Andrew to put down his fishing nets and follow Him as one of His chosen disciples. Despite the obvious challenges brought by such a life change, Andrew unhesitatingly did so.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Living with the Prophet

Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist. When Andrew met Jesus, he recognized Him as the Messiah, and went first to his own brother, Simon Peter, to tell him the good news. Unlike Andrew, many of us are sometimes hesitant to tell those we love most how we feel about spiritual matters. Resolve today that before the week is over, you will share with a family member your feelings about your Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan