Philip the Apostle was one of
the original twelve apostles.
He came from Bethsaida in
Galilee.

Jesus invited Philip to
become His disciple
(John 1:43).

Philip became the sixth disciple of Jesus, and
introduced his friend Nathanael (Bartholomew)
to Jesus, who also became an apostle.

When Jesus was about to perform a miracle and
feed a multitude of people with a small amount
of food, Jesus asked Philip where they should buy
the bread to feed the people. Jesus was testing
Philip, for He knew where He would get the food.
(John 6:5-6).

During the Last Supper, Philip asked Jesus to
show them the Father. Jesus replied that he sees
Him, that he has seen the Father. They are one.
(John 14:8-11).

Phillip was present during the prayer meeting in
the upper room with the 120 (Acts 1:13-15),
after the ascension of Jesus.

Not a lot more is known about him except that
he was supposedly crucified in 62 A.D.

John, also an apostle, was James' brother and a

son of Zebedee. He worked as a fisherman along

with his brother and Peter and Andrew in Galilee.

John is named among the 12 apostles and one of

the inner circle with Peter and James (his brother).

Jesus called him and his brother "Sons of Thunder",

because he and his brother had been known to call

fire down on those they opposed.

He was at the raising of Jairus' daughter;

He was at the Transfiguration;

He was at the Garden of Gethsemane;

He and Peter went to prepare the Passover

for Christ;

He was with Peter when the Sanhedrin throws

them in jail for speaking about Christ and healing a

lame man;

He was with Peter when they traveled into Samaria

to give the Holy Ghost to the new christians;

He seems to be consistently identified as the disciple

whom Jesus loved;

He wrote the book of John and the book of Revelation.

John faced martyrdom when he was thrown into a

huge vat of boiling oil during a time of persecution in

Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from

death and was then sentenced to a time of

prison on the island of Patmos.

He wrote his prophetic Book

of Revelation on Patmos.

He was later freed and he died

as an old man, out living all the

other apostles.

James had suffered more for Christ than the
others. His martyrdom was an encouragement
to them. His ambitious nature had at one time
hurt them, but he was to prove that he really
was first, not in authority, like Peter; not in
laboring, like Paul, but he was first in death.
James, the Journey Apostle. The other apostles
would often remember their brother, James.

The mission of James was finished at his death
for Christ, and immediately he received his reward.
But Peter and the other apostles still had a whole
world to win.

By his noble death the apostle James became
"the Great" and "the First.”
He died before the first council of the apostles in
49 A.D.

Thank

you

Lord

Jesus

for

this

Great

Thanksgiving Day!

When Jesus made His triumphal entry, the sons
of Zebedee boldly approached Him asking Him,
"'Grant to us that we may sit, one at thy right
hand and the other at thy left hand, in thy glory.'"
Even in this extremely grave hour in Jesus‘ life,
James and John brought up their selfish desire.

When Jesus asked, " 'Can you drink of the cup...?' "
James answered quickly and self-confidently, "
'We can.' " Surprised and glad, Jesus looked deep
into James' heart, His daring son of Thunder.
In compassion, He prayed for this courageous apostle.

On the way to the place of execution his accuser
followed him and pleaded for pardon. James
considered only a moment, (this Son of Thunder?) then
he embraced him and said, "Peace be with you.”
He was then beheaded by orders
from King Agrippa,
in 44 AD.

James' personality and character was high-minded
and ambitious, sometimes haughty, strong and
energetic, and influential.

"There were...James the son of Zebedee, and John
the brother of James that is, Sons of Thunder."
James and John had such thundering and stormy
natures and reckless manners, that Jesus
deliberately added this surname, which could have
been partly praise.

“'You do not know of what manner of spirit you are;
for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's
lives, but to save them.'" Reading some of their
encounters with the people Jesus was ministering
to-what a fitting name for these two brothers!

James was much like Andrew, who
was his neighbor and fellow apostle.
Yet they are quite different in
character and manners. James was
also a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee,
and had worked on the water with
Andrew and Simon Peter for many years. The
Gospels tells us that the two families shared the
boats and nets, etc, and conducted their fishing
businesses together.

James had a brother who also was called by
Jesus. He was John the Evangelist. James stood
in his shadow, much like Andrew with Peter.

But James was not quiet or shy like Andrew.
James, was a bold Apostle. He was Zebedee’s
son, and his name meant “gift of God” His father
was pointed out in order to distinguish this James
from another apostle with the name of James,
who was called by Christ after James the son of
Zebedee. This James was called the Elder.

After the resurrection, Peter went to the tomb

with the “other disciple” after being told of the

event by the women. When the Lord came

before the disciples, he gave Peter the famous

command to“ Feed my sheep”.

Right after the Ascension, Peter was considered

the head of the Apostles, (this is seen in the Acts).

He appointed the replacement of Judas Iscariot;

He was first to speak to the crowds after Pentecost;

He was the first Apostle to perform miracles in the

name of the Lord;

He rendered judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira.

Peter was used to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.

And He baptized Cornelius, to mention a few of his

works.

After escaping from prison by an angel. He continued

in Jerusalem and his missions took him to Antioch,

Corinth, and eventually Rome. It was from Rome

apparently, that Peter wrote his two epistles that are

in the Bible.

It is certain that Peter died in Rome about 66 or 67 AD

and that he was marterd. When being crucified he said,

“I am not worthy to die like my Master, crucify me

upside down”.

Peter was a Galilean fisherman. He was married,
and his brother was apostle Andrew.

The Gospels show many elements of his
personality, his boldness but with fear, doubt, and
meekness. He was famous for being impetuous, a
tendency to speak first and think later. It caused
Jesus once to rebuke him saying: “Get thee behind
me Satan.”

He was prominent among the apostles. Peter
was always listed as the first of the Apostles.
and was a member of the inner circle of Jesus,
with James and John.

He is recorded more than any other disciple.
He was at Jesus’ side at the Transfiguration;
the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and at the
Garden of Gethsemane. When Jesus was
arrested, Peter cut off the right ear of a slave
of the high priest and then denied Christ three
times as the Lord predicted.

Peter whose name was Simon, but Jesus gave
him the name Cephas. It means stone or small
rock in Aramaic, and Peter in Greek.

Jesus did not make him the first pope because
of this name. Also Peter was married (Jesus
healed his mother-in-law...his wife's mother)
and the Popes can never be married.

The church was built upon the fact that
'Jesus is the Rock....' He is referred to as
'a or the Rock' all over in scripture.

Peter's answer to Jesus' question "Who do you
say that I am." Peter said, "you are the Christ,
the Son of the living God." Jesus said, "upon this
rock (himself) I will build my church, and the
gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Upon
the fact that He, Jesus is the Rock, the
Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The Bible tells us much about not trusting in

human flesh, or man or anyone or anything

other than Jesus. So He would never build His

church on a man or anyone but Himself.

Andrew was Peter's brother. He was also a
fisherman and lived with his brother in
Capernaum. But he wasn't as prominent as
Peter, even though he was one of the 12
apostles.

Peter, James and John were of the inner circle
of the apostles. Andrew "attained not unto the
first three." He would join them often but didn't
minister in the ways of his brother Peter.

Nearly each time Andrew is mentioned, he is
acting as a go-between. For instance when he
first saw Jesus, he was the one who saw Him
then ran to find Peter so Peter wouldn't miss out
on finding and seeing the Messiah.

It's been told that Andrew died 69AD as a martyr.
He hung on a cross for 3 days suffering greatly
but telling of the love of Jesus to those around
him. Finally some spoke to the governor to ask
that he be taken down. When he was removed,
he died as his body fell to the ground.

Following the call of Peter, Jesus called together
the twelve disciples. Matthew, the tax collector,
Philip, Nathanael, Thomas, Judas, and continued
until twelve were called. They were an odd and
assorted group of men but they were bound by
their faith and devotion to Jesus. They were the
beginning of what is now called Christianity.

Jona, Peter’s father, had named him Simon but
Jesus changed it to Peter meaning ‘a little rock’.
It’s not understood why Jesus named him that
because he wasn’t the rock Jesus built His church
upon but he was one of the apostles that formed
the foundation. (Matthew 16:17-18; 1 Peter 2:5)

So the twelve left their homes and occupations to
follow Jesus. Peter later was the one to claim they
had “left all” Mark 10:28 (Peter was really talking

about how he had been making his living).

They returned home periodically as they worked
in and out of the city of Capernaum. How he had

made sure his wife was cared for is not mentioned

but they were all cared for by Jesus.
Judas was the treasurer and carried the bag.

Over the following

days, Jesus made

many of the trips

alone. On others

Peter, Andrew,

James and John

went along.

One night Peter

and Andrew had

worked all night

fishing but had

caught nothing.

In the morning they saw Jesus approaching with

a large crowd following.

He motioned to Peter to bring the boat closer, then

He climbed inside and began preaching to the

people.

Later He told Peter to push out into the deep and

let down the nets. Being tired and reluctant and

maybe thinking he knew more than Jesus about

fishing, Peter obeyed and cast out the nets. They

drew in such a large amount of fish that the nets

started to break.

This struck Peter's conscience and he said,

"Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord,

But Jesus replied, "Fear not; from henceforth

thou shalt catch men" Luke 5:8-10 Jesus was

calling Peter into full-time ministry.

After a night's rest, Jesus got up before dawn and

quietly left the house to find a place of prayer.

Later when Peter arose, more people were gathering
outside their home looking for Jesus. Peter could
not find Him and the people were wanting Peter
to help look for Jesus so He could minister to them.

Peter found Jesus in a quiet place praying and told
Him of the gathering crowd. Jesus answered him
that it was the reason He had left. He was to preach
God's Word to the other towns and villages.

Knowing Jesus' compassion for the people it is a
good assumption that He ministered to the them
before leaving for the other towns and villages.

Jesus walked back to

Peter and Andrew's

home after synagogue.

Surely they discussed

what had happened

during the service

with Jesus on the way.

When they reached

the house they found

Peter's mother-in-law

with a fever.

Immediately Peter turned to Jesus for help. Jesus

took her hand and lifted her up, the fever left and she

mininstered unto them.

By evening many people had gathered outside
of Peter's home seeking Jesus' help. Many sick
and others with demons. Certainly Peter and
Andrew getting to watch him up close were in
great awe and confusion, since they were still
wondering what His purpose as the Messiah
was to be.

Jesus wasn't very please with what was happen-
ing. He was wanting to minister to the people but
He also wanted to preach the Word. He didn't
want to become known as a miracle-worker.

Jesus was usually in

Capernaum on the

Sabbath.
(Luke 4:31).

It was His custom

where ever He was
to go to the synagogue.

He went to the synagogue

with Peter where He was
asked to speak, news of His

ministry was getting around.

As He accepted their invitation and was speaking, a
demon-possess man interupted and began to cry
out "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee,
thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy
us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God"
Mark 1:24

Jesus commanded the demon to come out of the
man and it came out. The people there were
greatly amazed.

"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.
And He saith unto
them, Follow me,
and I will make you
fishers of men. And
they straightway
left their nets, and followed him"
Matt 4:18-20

They went immediately (straightway) and left
their nets to follow Him. They had no idea what
their choice would mean or where it would take
them. They may have thought He was gathering
men to fight for a new physical kingdom by
revolting against Herod.

It isn't certain if they followed Jesus on all His
missions but Mark 1:39 seems to say that at
the beginning He was alone. It took some sort
of planning on the part of Andrew and Peter to
be able to leave their business and family for
long periods of time.

Now Peter and Andrew were facing the Man.
When Jesus saw Peter's face, He said, " Thou
art Simon son of Jona; thou shalt be called
Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone".
John 1:42

Peter went back to Capernaum because he had
a family to take care of and a fishing business.
He and Andrew had a lot to talk about meeting
Jesus.

Jesus came to Capernaum on His way to a wed-
ding in Cana of Galiliee. He was there for a few
days at Peter's home. The left for Jerusalem for
the Passover. Many reports came back to Peter
of Jesus' actions in the temple concerning the
animals and money-changers.

Also about this time word came of John's arrest
and death. Herod thought Jesus was John raised
from the dead so he didn't interfer with His
ministry.

VETERANS DAY....

Congress proclaimed

the day a federal holiday in 1938. In 1954,

Congress changed the holiday’s name to

Veterans Day, in recognition of those who

served during the Second World War and the

Korean conflict.

Today, Veterans Day recognizes all members
of the armed forces, living and dead, who served
during times of peace or war. It is a celebration
to honor America's veterans for their patriotism,
love of God and country, and willingness to serve
and sacrifice for the common good. Veterans'
organizations hold parades, and the president
customarily places a wreath on the Tomb of the
Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, across
the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

John 1:26 John said that this ONE was already
in their midst, but that He had not yet been
revealed! Was this the One they had dreamed,
hoped, and prayed for in their meetings?

One day when Peter was gone, Andrew heard
John say, "Behold the Lamb of God." When He
looked the was the Man John had spoken about.

Andrew ran to find Peter and when he found
him, he said, "We have found the Messiah,
which is, being interpreted, the Christ."
John 1:41

Although Jesus grew up in Nazareth just a
short ways away they had never heard of Him.

Jesus had left before John was able to introduce
Him to them.

Peter and Andrew went to the river to see him.
Peter stood listening to John speak and it wit-
nessed to his spirit. As John preached repent-
ance, Peter realized he was a sinner even though
he believed in the Law of Moses.

John preached about the ONE who was to come
after him. Peter asked John what he must do.
John told him to confess his sins. When he did
and believed John baptized him in the river.
After that Peter stressed water baptism.

On the day of pentecost when the crowds asked
him, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
He said, "Repent and be baptized everyone of
you in the name of Jesus."

A prophet was to come out of Israel and his
message was to get the attention of the nation.
It was John the Baptist.

Rumors came that a great prophet was preach-
ing down at the Jordan River. He wore rough
garments and he spoke with authority. Big
crowds gathered to hear him. He was preaching,
"Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

He was like the Essenes. They had a ritual of
bathing. When a person confessed his sins, John
would baptize him in the Jordan River.

His fame spread and multitudes came to see him.

It appears Peter wasn't a model Jew. He was
rough and given to cursing. After becoming one
of Jesus' disciples, He cursed and swore under
temptation. Matt. 26:74 and Mark 14:71

He was very carnal (human) but good-hearted.
He was impetuous and would rebuke others,
even Jesus. He boasted about being willing to go
to prison or dying for Jesus if he had to. In spite
of his faults Jesus saw good in him.

He and his brother Andrew would go to the
synagogue on the Sabboth. The sermans dealing
with the Law were dull and boring. But when'the
coming of the Messiah and His Kingdom'would
come up Peter was interested. They looked
forward to His first coming as we look forward to
His second coming.

Some of their ideas were fanatical and outlandish.
Like when Jesus came, the heathen would vanish
and the Jews would have thousands of children
and live for thousands of years.

The Galileans hoped and expected that the
Messiah's coming would be in their life time.

On the sea of Galilee, as a fisherman's son,

Simon Peter had been on the water alot.

He knew much about boats, fishing and he

could swim. He spent time in the boat with

his father and other fishermen who made

fishing their living.

When he was nearly 12 years old, he started to
work for his father. Jews married young. By the
time he was eighteen, he may have been married
because he had a wife. She made their home Jesus'
when He was there staying with them. She took
care of the home while Peter was out on missions
and later she helped him on his missionary
journeys. 1 Cor 9:5

Peter and his wife moved to her mother's home
in Capernaum and his brother Andrew was with
them. They also did their fishing trade there.
Fish and bread were the foods of the nation.

By then Peter owned his own boat. It was large
enough for Jesus and the twelve disciples. He
and Andrew must have been partners with
James and John and their father Zebedee for
it took two boats to bring in the nets needing
mending because the loads were so big they
would break.

Peter's home town was Bethsaida, not far from
Capernaum. (John 1:44) He was named Simon by
his father Jona. There were many Simons in the
New Testament including one of Jesus' brothers.

It is not certain that Peter was a full Jew. The people
there were forced to accept the Mosaic Law. Galilean
kids were taught in the Jewish religion.

He was circumcized at eight days old and sent to
school at the synagogue at age six. He sat on the
floor and listened to the teachers along with other
boys. They were taught the scriptures and learned
how to read and write the Armaic and Greek languages.

The children received a normal education while growing
up. Simon knew his nation's history and what was going
on in the Roman world.

He got a great knowledge of the Old Testament while
in the synagogue school.

Knowing Simon Peter's impulsive nature, he may not
have been a model student. Jesus noted his strong
spirit when He said, "when thou was young, thou girdest
thyself and walkest whither thou wouldst" John 21:18
He went where ever he wanted to go.

He seemed to learn more out of school than in. He was
always aware of what was going on around him.