Why Were Peter James And John Closest To Jesus

Why did Jesus choose Peter, James, and John to be His inner circle?

Area around Capernaum, including AtlasCapernaum Maps Biblemapper 3.0 was used to create this map, with additional data provided by OpenBible.org. Occurrences Matthew 4:13 is a passage from the Bible that teaches about the importance of family. From Nazareth, he went to Capernaum, which is near the sea and in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, where he lived for the rest of his life. Matthew 8:5 is a verse that teaches us to be humble. He was approached by a centurion when he arrived in Capernaum, who inquired about his whereabouts.

It would have survived until today if the mighty works performed in Sodom had been the same as those performed in you!

Revelation 2:20 Upon returning to Capernaum after some time had passed, it was reported to have been in the residence.

Anything that we have heard done at Capernaum, we encourage you to do as well in your hometown.

  1. Even though it was the Sabbath, he was instructing them.
  2. Then he entered Capernaum, having finished his speech in front of a large crowd of people.
  3. Afterwards, he and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples traveled down to Capernaum, where they stayed for a few days before returning home.
  4. One nobleman’s son was ill in Capernaum and the nobleman took him to the hospital there.
  5. It was now dark, and Jesus had still not arrived to meet them on their doorstep.
  6. 6:59 (John 6) While teaching in Capernaum, he said these things in the synagogue.
  7. It means “text” in English.

It has been destroyed to such an extent that the location of the ruins is now in dispute.

During His public ministry, Jesus lived in Capernaum for the majority of the time that He was away from Nazareth (Matthew 4:13).

His call to the fishermen to follow Him (Mark 1:16) was close by, and the publican was on his way to receive customs when He called to them (Mark 1:17).

Numerous “great works” took place there (Matthew 11:23Mark 1:34).

While in Capernaum, Jesus used a small child to teach the disciples the importance of humility, in the synagogue, He delivered His ever-memorable discourse on the bread of life (John 6).

Some believe that the words “shall thou be exalted,” etc.

Possibly more naturally, they are referring to the extreme pride that the residents of their city have in their own town.

In it were detachments of Roman troops, whose commander believed that it was worthwhile to secure the good will of the people by building a synagogue for them at the risk of their lives (Matthew 8:5Luke 7:5).

Capernaum is mentioned twice in Josephus’s writings.

He was injured after his horse became stuck in mud during the battle of El-BaTeichah, rendering him unable to fight for the rest of the conflict.

In Tarichea, he was taken by his men to the town of Capernaum (this is a questionable connection; the name as it stands is Kepharnomon, which Niese corrects to Kepharnokon), from which he was transported to the village of Capernaum (Vita, 72).

Coracinus is discovered in the water of this fountain (BJ, III, x, 8).

It is not possible to identify the fish since it is located in other fountains in the vicinity of the lake, and it is thus useless.

Tell Chum is the more prominent of the two rivals for the honor of representing Capernaum.

Tristram found.

Furthermore, water is only available for a limited portion of the plain.

Suppose Kerazeh is Chorazin, and Tell Chum is Khan Minyeh, then this is more appropriate for Tell Chum.

Tankhum is mentioned in Jewish tradition as a place where the tombs of Nahum and Rabbi Tankhum can be found.

That process of reasoning, however, is exceedingly risky at every point in the chain.

In addition, there is no fountain in the vicinity of Tell Chum, which contradicts Josephus’s depiction.

The fact that the current writer, on a recent visit to the site (1911), attracted his boatman’s attention to a section of destroyed wall rising above the foliage West of the lagoon and inquired as to its name may be of importance in this connection.

In reality, this is simply the Arabic equivalent of the Jewish “minimum-temple” tradition.

The numerous springs at eT-Tabigha, half a mile to the East, supplied water that was channeled around the face of the rock toward Khan Minyeh at a height that allowed it to be used to irrigate a vast section of the surrounding plain.

A short bit of ground between the mountain and the lake, according to Arculf (1670), is what Capernaum is situated on.

According to Isaac Chelo (1334), Capernaum, which was then in ruins, had been inhabited by Minim, i.e., Jewish converts to Christianity, who lived in the area.

A Khan named Menieh lived near the location of Capernaum, according to Quaresimus (1620-26).

Because the road from the East connected with the road that came down from the North via Khan Jubb Yusif, this must have been a significant junction, both from a military and a customs standpoint, indicating that it was a significant intersection.

A.

After originally supporting Khan Minyeh in his book The Sacred Sites of the Gospel, Sanday later changed his mind about the site because of what the present writer believes is an incorrect understanding of the relationship between Tell Chum and the fountain at eT-Tabigha.

In no case does a fountain 2 miles away from a town get referred to by its town’s name.

As a result, until Professor R.

S.

When he rejects the name Tell Chum in favor of Talchum, he appears to be mistaken, and he makes an interesting grammatical error when he uses the word tell.

Be a result, the remains of Tale Chum itself are now referred to as a ‘tell’ ” (Expos, April, 1907, 370).

His findings in Khan Minyeh included nothing earlier than the Arabian period, while pottery from the Roman period—”exactly the period during which Capernaum was at its greatest glory”—abound at Tell Chum (PEFS, April and July, 1907).

Between the ruined Khan and the sea, important Roman ruins have recently been discovered.

Roman history, on the other hand, is quite extensive.

It is feasible to determine that the city thrived during the reign of King Herod by examining the pottery remnants.

In the land whose past we know little about, they are hardly the only enormous ruins worth visiting.

Ewing, is located somewhere along the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, although its exact position has not been determined.

Nevertheless, some people believe it to be in the tell-Hum category. Whatever the case, it appears to have taken place at either location. KPERNOUM (G2584) in Strong’s Greek is the name of a town in Capernaum.

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Jesus, James, John, and Peter

Have you ever observed that our relationships with our friends vary in terms of intimacy? Some are as close as sisters, while others are lovely people who, for whatever reason, aren’t included in our inner circle of friends. Do we try to elevate all of our friendships to the level of “bestie” status? What if not all friendships were meant to last forever, or if not all friendships had the same level of closeness? In today’s reading, we’ll look at the reality that different types of friendships have different levels of closeness.

  1. Jesus lectured the crowds, dispatched seventy on a mission (Luke 10), and, of course, recruited twelve disciples—yet only three were chosen to be part of his inner circle of disciples.
  2. As we read in today’s chapters, we discover that Jesus took frequent retreats with Peter, James, and John in order to pray.
  3. Peter was a fisherman who gave up everything to join Jesus and his disciples.
  4. It is unclear why Jesus picked these individuals as his closest associates, but it is clear that he does so based on their actions.
  5. When Jesus enabled Peter, James, and John to see the resurrection of a small girl in Mark 5:37, they were taken by surprise.
  6. Following that occurrence, Jesus took the three disciples up to a mountain where he was transformed, or metamorphosed, into a glorified condition, known as the transfiguration.
  7. There was a growing sense of trust amongst these four gentlemen, which culminated in a stronger link and increased closeness between them.

Jesus, the Son of God, need the friendship of intimate companions.

Jesus confided in these men and allowed them access to his identity, his authority, and his suffering, knowing that they would maintain his trust.

To be a good friend, we must demonstrate that we are trustworthy.

We bring glory to God in our friendships when we are trustworthy with one another.

When it comes to friendship, our intentions should always be love and commitment.

Every connection, no matter the season or the purpose for which people have earthly friendships, is a chance to honor God and to share Jesus with them. May we strive to have all of our relationships firmly established in Him, for Him, and to Him who provides all good things in our lives.

inventory

  1. With which Biblical buddy have you had the most resonant experience? The reasons for this are as follows: When does a person shift from being an acquaintance to becoming a friend
  2. Do you consider the role that God plays in your friendships, if any
  3. In most cases, “commitment” is a word that is used in the context of marriage and sometimes even parental responsibility. Have you given any thought to making a commitment to your friends? That is, what would it look like
  4. What are some of the ways that we may consciously foster trust in our interpersonal interactions
  5. And so forth.

The Three Disciples — Crossroads Church

You’re probably thinking that the title of this blog article contains a significant typographical error. It doesn’t work like that. In fact, we often refer to the disciples as a group of twelve men with whom Jesus spent the most of his time and who he directly taught to eventually lead His ministry. Without a doubt, Jesus had a total of twelve disciples in whom He carefully devoted his time and resources. He did, however, have three disciples who he elevated to a higher level than the other twelve disciples.

Here are a number of things to think about when it comes to Jesus and His three disciples.

Jesus took the three to places He didn’t take the twelve!

A cursory examination of the Gospels indicates that there were several places where Jesus just brought Peter, James, and John with him. He didn’t bring the twelve with him everywhere he traveled. When Jesus traveled to the Mount of Transfiguration, He only had three disciples with him. The disciples James and John were there when Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law and were welcomed into Peter’s home. When Jesus went to the Synagogue to cure the daughter of the ruler, He only took three disciples with Him: Peter, James, and John.

We will never know how or why Jesus chose to take these three people to areas where he did not take the other nine disciples.

Only the three are named in Acts!

If you read the Book of Acts, you will see that the only disciples listed are Peter, James, and John, who were not among the original twelve. Following Jesus’ departure, it appears that they assumed leadership responsibilities that the other nine did not take. At the Feast of Pentecost, Peter gives a sermon. The lame beggar is healed by Peter and John while they are on their way to the temple. The Jewish council summons Peter and John to appear before them. When Peter and John were anointed with the Holy Spirit, they were dispatched to the Samaritans.

There are no mentions of the other disciples in the Book of Acts, leading us to think that the fact that Jesus spent more time with them was preparing them to take on greater responsibilities than the others.

Who are the people in your life into whom you are putting your heart and soul at a higher level than anybody else?

Who are the people in your close circle?

Why did Jesus only take Peter, James, and John with Him into the Garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:33?

14:33 (Matthew 14:33) NKJV – verse 33 And He brought Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became worried and exceedingly distressed as a result of what had happened. ClarifyShareReport The question was posed on March 18, 2016. Deangelo Willis is a professional basketball player. The responses from the community are arranged according to how many people voted for them. The greater the number of votes, the higher the position of an answer on the list. These three apostles were reportedly very close to Jesus, according to tradition.

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They are also As far as I’m aware, the Bible doesn’t go into detail about why those three individuals were picked in this particular manner by Jesus.

It was because of this that Jesus pronounced Peter blessed, because Jesus stated that this knowledge had not been revealed to Peter through human means, but rather by God the Father, and that it was upon this “rock” (for which reason Jesus bestowed on Simon the name Peter, which comes from the Greek word for rock (petros)) that Jesus said He would build His church.

Despite the fact that he denied Jesus three times (as Jesus had said he would do, and not just once, but three times), Peter emerged as the most prominent and vociferous of the apostles in evangelizing the people (Acts 2) following Jesus’ ascension (see Matthew 16:16).

Because they were both apparently of a brash and impetuous nature, Jesus gave them the nickname “Sons of Thunder” (or “Boanerges” in Greek), as evidenced by the time they asked Jesus if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan town that had refused to accept Him because He was traveling to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-56).

But they both undoubtedly loved Jesus, to such an extent that James would be the first apostle to be martyred for his faith (Acts 12:2), and that John was the one to whom Jesus (as He was dying on the cross) entrusted the care of His own mother, and who was preserved alive (as the only apostle who was not martyred) to witness a vision of the events of the end times, as foretold in the book of Revelation).

This selection of these three individuals, I believe, was based on Jesus’ knowledge of their faith and love, as well as His foreknowledge of the events that would unfold in which they would be involved and their roles in the early church, that led Him to choose them to witness the significant events that only they were present.

  • Vote for it, share it, and report it.
  • Jesus chose Peter, James, and John, the same men who had accompanied him to the house of Jairus (Mark 5:37) and to the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), as Mr.
  • These three events correspond to Philippians 3:10: “That I may come to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,” says the apostle Paul.
  • It had already been 3 years after his three disciples had been with him when Jairus and his wife were suffering terribly as a result of the death of their daughter.

Isn’t it natural for you and me to desire someone by our sides, especially someone who has observed enormous sorrow, to assist us carry the burden while we are going through difficult times? 0 replies on September 28th, 2019 Vote for it, share it, and report it.

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Why did Jesus favor Peter, James and John more than the other disciples?

I believe Peter, James, and John witnessed more miracles than the others because they were in close proximity to the circle, rather than being excluded from it. In addition to their exposure to the transfiguration, I suppose you are referring to the fact that they witnessed Him sweat blood in the garden. (If they were able to keep their eyes open for long enough) Because Jesus described Himself as a man on the earth (as well as God), it is possible that Peter, James, and John were among those in the closest circle.

  • It is possible that Jesus invited this inner group to become closer to Him because He was God, and because ‘God is Love,’ Jesus may have done it based on their needs rather than His own human preferences.
  • The fact that James was a member of the family as well as a close friend might have been a contributing element.
  • In the gospel accounts, Peter is frequently shown ‘leading’ the disciples, sometimes with reckless abandon, and he subsequently emerges as a leader in the New Testament church.
  • Peter’s character looks to be one who would push himself forward in order to be at Jesus’ side at all times, and this appears to be true.
  • Paul traveled to Jerusalem in order to meet with Peter and James, who were leaders in the local church at that time.

As a follow-up to the statement that Jesus is Love and that He was living his life from that perspective, John addressed himself as “the one whom Jesus loved” and “the cherished disciple.” I would like to believe that John did this because he truly ‘understood’ the message and was fully consumed by the Love of Jesus for him and his family.

  • The Love of Jesus, I think, was absorbed by John on the most fundamental level and penetrated him to such an extent that John referred to himself as ‘John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ Isn’t it true that Jesus loved everyone of his disciples in the same way?
  • Because he received God’s Love and was transformed by it on a far deeper level than the others, I believe that John identified himself in this manner.
  • Walking in Love and walking in the Spirit are practically similar, and this would explain John’s spiritual giftings, which are also almost synonymous.
  • According to historical accounts, John was the only disciple who did not suffer a martyr’s death, despite the fact that they attempted to murder him by boiling him in oil.

God is our bright example of how love always triumphs.

Why was there an inner circle among the 12 Apostles?

When viewed in the context of contemporary values among human minds today, Jesus Christ was playing favorites because, among the 12 disciples whom he called, he only confided his innermost secrets and plans to three: Simon whom he called Peter, and upon whom he entrusted the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven; John the Beloved, upon whom he entrusted his own mother, Mary; and James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee, fisherman from Bethsaida The Lord Jesus had a total of 12 disciples, who were also known as apostles.

A disciple is a pupil or a learner who has received instruction from a master.

All apostles began as disciples, but not all disciples progressed to the position of apostle.

The apostles were Andrew, Simon Peter, James the Greater, John the Beloved, Bartholomew or Nathanael, James the Lesser, son of Alphaeus, Judas Iscariot, Jude or Thaddeus also son of Alphaeus, Matthew or Levi the tax collector, Philip, Simon the Zealot or activist, filibuster and enemy of the ruling class, if you will, and Thomas or Didymus, the famous doubting Thomas who would not believe until Andrew, the first to be summoned and a previous follower of John the Baptist as well as Jesus’ cousin, was chosen ahead of Simon, who was elevated to the position of leader of the 12 despite having publicly repudiated Jesus three times in front of the Pharisees and elders.

  • Andrew’s persona, on the other hand, was a quiet figure who appeared from behind.
  • Then there’s James, the greater and elder brother of John, and then there’s John.
  • Both John and James were jockeying for position and pleading with Jesus to reserve two unique seats in heaven for them, one on the right and the other on the left, as a reward for their efforts.
  • When Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus, a Roman soldier, from the dead, he brought just three people with him: Simon Peter, John, and James.
  • On Mount Tabor, they were also given the unique opportunity to see Jesus’ Transfiguration.
  • The three persons in question were hardly the purest or most flawless of human beings.
  • Only John remained with Jesus until he was crucified on the cross at Golgotha, and he was the only one to do so.
  • Jesus Christ did indeed exert his leadership and management prerogatives during his earthly ministry.

Only one of the twelve deceived him, resulting in a success rate of 91.67 percent. Matthias, the apostle number 13 at the time, was Judas Iscariot’s replacement. Latest 19 hours have passed. 19 hours have passed. The following date is recommended: February 23, 2022 – 12:00 a.m.

Who appeared to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration?

The question is, “Who appeared to Peter, James, and John on the Mountain of Transfiguration?” The Ensign, April 1983, pages 21–23 Professor Larry E. Dahl of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University is the author of this article. When Moses, Elijah, and John the Baptist (among others) came to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, the apostles were given the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19), which they used to enter the kingdom of heaven. In addition, there is evidence to support the claim that they were bestowed with authority from on high and taught in the business of God’s kingdom.

  • We may learn the following from their stories in the King James Version of the Bible: First, Jesus separated Peter, James, and John and brought them “up onto a high mountain apart” about a week after Peter was told that he would be handed the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matt.
  • (See Mark 9:2 for further information.) 2.
  • (See Matthew 17:2.) 3.
  • 17) were seen by Peter, James, and John chatting with Christ.
  • A dazzling cloud “overshadowed them,” and “when they entered the cloud, they were filled with terror.” 5.
  • As they descended down the mountain, the Savior commanded them not to tell anyone about their encounter until until his resurrection had occurred.
  • It was also verified by him that John the Baptist had already arrived in his function as an Elias, and that he had been slain by the same people who would later slay the Son of Man.

17:14.

We discover that John the Baptist was also there on the Mount of Transfiguration, according to the Prophet’s inspired translation of Mark’s account.

In his remarks on this line, Robert J.

As a result, many people have questioned whether or not this text has been printed incorrectly in any way.

Similarly, the Bernhisel copy, on page 74, contains exactly the same phrasing as the present text of the printed Inspired Version, so correlating the two versions of the text.

… “There can be no doubt that theElias who appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration was none other than Elijah the prophet.

180, 367; see also Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible.) “It is not to be understood that John the Baptist was the Elias who appeared with Moses to confer keys and authority upon those who then held the Melchizedek Priesthood, which higher priesthood already embraced and included all of the authority and power John had held and exercised during his ministry,” explains Elder Bruce R.

Possibly, he was present as the last legal administrator under the Old Covenant in order to symbolize that the law had been fulfilled and that all old things had been done away, thus drawing a contrast between his position and the position of the apostles Peter, James, and John, who were then about to become the first legal administrators of the New Kingdom.” (1965, 1:404 in Bruce R.

The Elias who appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration was, in fact, Elijah, albeit John the Baptist was also present to see it.

the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood.” He was able to reclaim this authority because it was necessary for the effective administration of the Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances.

The Savior, Moses, and Elias appeared to them on the mountaintop and gave them the keys to the kingdom.

(See 3:387 in the History of the Church.) According to the Prophet, the disciples were also transfigured, which may be interpreted as an explanation for Luke’s remark that “they entered into the cloud.” (See also Luke 9:34.) The Father’s voice coming from the cloud, as well as Peter’s remark that Jesus “received from God the Father honour and glory when such a voice came” (2 Peter 1:17), provide proof that the Father was also there.

  • We have Moses’ evidence that mankind must be transfigured in order to be able to stand before God.
  • It is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 7 as “translated from parchment, penned, and concealed up by himself,” as part of John’s record.
  • McConkie, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56, 2:165), Elder Joseph Fielding Smith expressed his belief that Peter, James, and John “received their endowments on the mount,” and Elder Bruce R.
  • they received the more sure word of prophecy.” 1.
  • Indeed, there must have been a great deal that happened that we are not aware of.
  • In this passage, Jesus not only maintains but also proves that the New Testament account of his experiences on the Mount of Transfiguration is incomplete, as it reveals that the Apostles there witnessed the transfiguration of the earth that will take place in the future.

We can be frantically engaged in expanding our minds toward comprehension and our hearts toward meaningful application of what we have already received while waiting for the end of time to arrive.

Jesus’ best friends: Peter, James and beloved John – Arkansas Catholic – August 13, 2011

Date of publication: August 13, 2011 Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is a Catholic priest who lives in the United States. This homily was delivered on August 6 during a Mass for seminarians and their parents, which was presided over by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor. Some folks are more familiar to you and me than others are to you and me. We all have acquaintances, friends, and loved ones to share our lives with. When something unexpected or upsetting happens in our life, we share certain things with everyone and more personal things with our friends, but we keep our most private moments for those who know us the best and are in the best position to understand.

  • A large number of disciples, 12 apostles, and an inner circle of three best friends: Peter, James, and his favored disciple, John, were among his numerous accomplishments.
  • This small group of companions witnessed some of Jesus’ most spectacular moments, such as the Transfiguration described in today’s Gospel, and some of his most agonizing times, such as the Agony in the Garden.
  • These three people knew more about Jesus on the inside than anybody else – they knew more about his boldness as well as his concerns – and it is this knowledge that would make Peter and James’ desertion of Jesus on Good Friday so terrible.
  • And take note that John was the only apostle who died as a result of natural causes after his death at the hands of the authorities.
  • This may have been because he had previously experienced a form of martyrdom – spiritual martyrdom – by risking his life to remain at the foot of the cross with Jesus.
  • And that is the fundamental lesson of Jesus’ Transfiguration for us: the only way to glory is via the cross of Christ.
  • If you are not willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus, you are not yet his disciple.
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This is because this is not the path that Jesus has laid out for them.

You will not be able to fulfill your commitment of obedience until you first embrace the cross.

It is said in the Jewish tradition that “the Rabbi whom everyone likes is not a Rabbi.” If you carry your cross with love, you will one day be awarded a crown, but if you do not, you will not.

In the next days, they would witness him transformed by anguish – sweating blood during his Agony in the Garden, whipping and crowning with thorns on Good Friday, his body damaged but his heart unbroken in his determination to fulfill his Father’s plan entirely.

That’s when it all starts to make sense: Jesus’ glorious identity as the Son of God who will save us through a very un-glorious death, which they aren’t quite prepared to comprehend just yet.

The audio from Bishop Taylor’s homilies is made available on a regular basis on the diocese website, which is available in both English and Spanish.

You may hear them at It is important that you read ourComments Policy before posting. Comments on articles are powered by

Christ’s Inner Circle – The Primary Apostles of Jesus

Don Closson has written a piece for us. This article is also accessible in Spanish if you prefer it. Don Closson explores the ministry and function of the four most renowned apostles, Peter, Andrew, John, and James, as well as the ministry and role of the other apostles. It is demonstrated by him how these fundamental apostles were transformed from fisherman into actual fishermen of mankind by the power of the Lord.

Introduction

Matthew 10:2-4 contains the following information: The names of the twelve apostles are as follows: first, Simon (also known as Peter) and his brother Andrew; second, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; third, Philip and Bartholomew; fourth, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; fifth, James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; sixth, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him; and finally, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betra Aside from Judas Iscariot, Christians hold in high regard those who were personally called by Jesus and who walked with Him during His mission on the Earth.

  1. This is especially true in the case of the twelve disciples.
  2. It is possible to trace the concept of apostleship back to the Hebrew concept of an envoy.
  3. “A man’s ambassador is as himself,” according to a well-known Jewish saying.
  4. There were no willing participants.
  5. They were then dispatched to declare that the Kingdom of Heaven had arrived and that they had been commissioned to function as Jesus’ representatives in the presence of the authority of the Messiah.
  6. Peter is usually listed first, followed by Judas Iscariot, who is always mentioned last.
  7. This group of four apostles had a unique relationship with Christ, and it is this relationship that will be the subject of this essay.
  8. According to the first chapter of Acts, Judas’ successor must have been with the apostles from the very beginning of their journey.
  9. It was also stated that he had to have been there during the resurrection itself.

Having a clear and accurate testimony of the Messiah was critical for them to have. In this article, we’ll take a look at Christ’s inner circle of apostles, which includes Peter, Andrew, James, and John. God impacted the lives of these regular guys in a way that will be remembered forever.

The Apostle Peter

When it comes to the Apostles, Peter is always listed first in each of the four lists recorded in the New Testament. Peter is referred to be the primus inter paresor, or the foremost among equals, by many people. It is clear that he serves in a leadership capacity among his fellow apostles and that he is regarded by Christ as a cornerstone of the church’s foundation. Despite the fact that we may disagree on what this leadership position entails, we cannot dispute that it exists. Peter is referred to by four different names in the New Testament.

  1. Peter was most likely a multilingual Jew who was affected by the Greek culture that was prevalent in Galilee at the time of his ministry.
  2. It is via this new name that Jesus has given Peter that we can see how he would change while under the influence of the Lord.
  3. In contrast to many of the other Apostles, the New Testament provides us with some information regarding Peter’s familial life, which is unusual.
  4. Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt.
  5. 9:5).
  6. Peter accepted Jesus’ invitation to become a disciple very early in his career.
  7. Matthew and Mark both recount Jesus inviting Peter to full-time ministry as a fisher of men a year or so later, possibly a year or two beyond that.
  8. Peter is frequently singled out, and the rest of the characters are referred to as a group with him (Mark 1:36).
  9. In Luke 12, he approaches Jesus and inquires about the significance of a parable.
  10. He is also frequently the first to take action.
  11. A number of events in the Bible are given greater significance as a result of Peter’s leadership.

For example, the specifics of Peter’s rejection of Jesus had an impact exactly because of Peter’s position of prominence within the organization. A poignant example is the passage in John chapter 21 in which Jesus questions Peter’s love and admonishes him to “feed my sheep.”

The Apostle Peter and His Brother Andrew

The Roman Catholic Church has historically used Matthew 16:17-19 as justification for the office of Pope and the succession of popes, which begins with Peter, as the basis for its beliefs. When it comes to Peter’s role as a leader among the apostles and any specific position that he may occupy in the body of Christ, Protestants have reacted by tending to minimize his significance. Previously, I noted that Peter is clearly depicted as the apostles’ leader in the book of Acts. The use of this verse from Matthew to legitimize the current office of the Pope, on the other hand, is an oversimplification of the Scriptures.

  1. Assigning these characteristics to Peter’s successor is problematic in part because he would have had power over an apostle who was still alive at the time of his death, John.
  2. 16:16), he remains a highly imperfect member of the team that Christ has formed.
  3. In Acts 11, the church in Jerusalem expressed dissatisfaction with Peter’s decision to enter a gentile’s home.
  4. When Peter refused to separate himself from the Gentiles when accompanied by Jews from Jerusalem, Paul scolded him to his face, according to the book of Galatians (Galatians 2:11).
  5. Unlike his brother Peter, who is loud and influential among the Twelve, Andrew was content to take a backseat among the Twelve.
  6. Despite the fact that Andrew is identified as a member of the inner circle closest to Jesus, we don’t know much about his work.
  7. When John sends his disciples to Jesus, Andrew is the first to seek out an opportunity to spend time with him.
  8. He quickly proceeds to inform others, beginning with his brother Peter, about his discovery.
  9. First, he presents Peter to the Lord, and then, at Passover, he introduces a group of Greek Gentiles who are on the lookout for Jesus.
  10. Andrew may not have have the same abilities as his brother Peter in terms of leadership.
  11. However, one can understand Andrew’s joy when his brother, whom he had brought to the Lord, preached in the power of the Spirit in Jerusalem, resulting in the conversion of thousands of unbelievers to the Lord.

Despite the fact that Andrew was a member of Christ’s inner circle, he played an extremely important part in the events that followed it.

The Sons of Zebedee

In addition to James and John, there were two more sets of brothers who were members of Christ’s inner circle. They were also from Bethsaida, like Peter and Andrew, and they had a common interest in the fishing sector with the two of them. They were dubbed the “sons of thunder” because of their fiery temperaments, which occasionally resulted in some difficult situations between the two groups of friends (Mark 3:17). Their father, Zebedee, and mother, Salome, were most likely well-off in terms of material possessions.

  1. Because John says that Salome is Mary’s sister, James and John are considered cousins of Jesus (John 19:25).
  2. James and John are both members of this group.
  3. Most scholars agree that the description “the disciple whom Jesus loved” refers to the apostle John, who was baptized in the name of Jesus.
  4. He was also the first of the twelve apostles to observe the empty tomb after it was discovered.
  5. That indicated that he had been searching for God for some time previous to meeting Jesus and that he was ready to make a commitment to the Messiah.
  6. Both had spent time listening to the Lord and had come to believe in His sincerity as a result.
  7. Luke relates an episode in which John approaches Jesus and asks if they should attack a Samaritan community that had refused them hospitality.

After having just witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration, John was enraged by the lack of due reverence shown to his Lord.

After hearing their plea, Jesus answers angrily, telling them that they do not understand what they are asking.

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(Matthew 20:22; Mark 10:22; Luke 10:22) “We can,” they respond, displaying their characteristic cockiness.

They had no idea that His atoning death on the cross would mark the beginning of His reign as King of the universe.

Acts 12 records that Herod Agrippa ordered James’ execution by sword, which took place probably around 42 A.D.

Despite the fact that James would be the first apostle to die as a martyr, his brother would live the longest of all the apostles. Next we will look at the legacy left by the inner circle of Jesus and what we can learn from their lives.

The Legacy of Those Closest to Jesus

In Revelation 21:10 and 14, the apostle John writes: And he took me away in the Spirit to a vast and lofty mountain, where he revealed to me the Holy City of Jerusalem, which had down from God’s throne in heaven. The names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were inscribed on the foundations of the city’s wall, which was surrounded by a wall with twelve foundations. Whether this passage refers to a physical city, as many believe, or to the church or body of Christ, as others believe, it illustrates the extraordinary respect bestowed upon the Twelve Apostles and their fellow disciples.

  • The apostles Peter, Andrew, James, and John had the honor of accompanying Jesus when He cured Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37) and at the Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1).
  • In Mark 13:3 they are identified as the audience for Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, and they are also identified as those who were there with Jesus during His period of anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37).
  • The content for the book of Mark, as well as the two epistles that bear his name, is ascribed to Peter’s contribution.
  • After that, James, Jesus’ brother, took over as the church’s head.
  • Although legend holds that Peter was the leader of the church in Rome, this is highly doubtful.
  • Andrew is last mentioned in the Bible when he is with Jesus in the upper room.
  • Andrew is said to have traveled to Russia as a missionary and to have met his death by crucifixion at Patras, Greece, about the year 60 A.D., according to tradition.
  • As a result, he did not leave any writings.
  • Last but not least, we have the apostle John.
  • John produced the fourth gospel, the astonishing book of Revelation, and three epistles to the church, despite the fact that he was the apostle who had lived the longest.
  • According to legend, John spent his final days in Ephesus, having traveled there following Domitian’s death in the city (who had exiled him to the Isle of Patmos).

Even though they were just ordinary fisherman, these four men serve as a testament to the life-changing influence that walking with our Savior can have on anybody who decides to follow Him as their Lord and Savior. Probe Ministries was founded in 2001. 14,947 people have looked at this post.

Don Closson

Don Closson worked at Probe for 26 years as Director of Administration and a research associate until accepting a job with the same title at the Centers of Church Based Training (ccbt.org) in 2013. He has now retired from Probe. Southeastern Illinois University awarded him a Bachelor of Science in education. He went on to get a Master of Science in educational administration from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before joining Probe and subsequently the CCBT, he worked as a public school teacher and administrator in the Chicago area.

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Watchman Magazine » Peter, James, and John

There was a reason why the Lord picked each and every one of the apostles. All of them, including Judas, were involved in the ministry and apostleship (Acts 1:25). But even in the face of equality, the gospel records indicate that Jesus picked three of His apostles and isolated them from the rest on three consecutive occasions, allowing them to witness things that they were not authorized to share with the others. Within the Twelve, it appears that Peter, James, and John have created an inner-circle of sorts.

  1. What was it about them that was so unique?
  2. 1.
  3. It was during the raising of a little girl from the dead that these three men were picked out for special attention and praise.
  4. A large number of people were waiting for Jesus everywhere he went, pushing in on him.

This series of miracles highlights the Lord’s authority over a variety of things: the calming of the sea (Mark 4:35-41) demonstrated the Lord’s authority over nature, the casting out of demons (Mark 5:1-20) demonstrated His authority over demons, the healing of the woman (Mark 5:25-34) demonstrated His authority over disease, and the raising of the little girl (Mark 5:35-43) demonstrated His authority over death However, although there may have been more occurrences, the Bible only relates three occasions in which Jesus resurrected someone from the dead: Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11:1-11).

  1. (John 11:38-44).
  2. When word arrived from Jairus’ house that his daughter had died, Jesus assured him that he need not be alarmed.
  3. When they got at the residence, they found a gathering of individuals who were sobbing and moaning incoherently inside.
  4. 40) After Jesus escorted them all out of the home (v.
  5. The Transfiguration is the second of them (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke 9:27-36).
  6. He had a transformation in His physical look.
  7. (Mark 9:2).

They were chatting with Jesus about His death when Moses and Elijah came to them (Luke 9:31).

God spoke to Peter, James, and John from the cloud, ordering them to pay attention to His Son.

3.

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus went to Gethsemane with His circle of followers to pray, while Judas arrived with the mob to capture Him.

Jesus appeared to be changing His appearance again more during this intimate encounter.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, these three men were granted the opportunity to witness Jesus’ divinity in all of His incandescent splendor (Luke 9:32).

It was during this time that Jesus received strength for the next trial via prayer, and he was also given permission to strengthen the three for the trial they would also experience shortly thereafter.

Peter and John are frequently seen together in the book of Acts, especially on important occasions.

They were the first two apostles to be jailed and ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus, according to the New Testament (Acts 4).

Reasons that might be given For the Separation of Peter, James, and John from the Other Apostles The reasons why these three individuals were sought out and chosen to experience the enormous gifts that they witnessed have been speculated about by scholars and pundits.

They were among of the Lord’s closest associates.

Some have speculated that the Lord’s closest buddies were Peter, James, and John, and that this is correct.

First and foremost, although the Gospel of John does not describe any of these instances involving Peter, James, and John, it does convey the impression that John was the only apostle who had a special connection with the Lord that was not shared by any of the other apostles.

Two of these occurrences (John 20:2 and 21:7) include a reference of John and Peter; however, Peter is referred to merely by his given name, but John is referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved on both occasions.

First and foremost, there is no evidence to suggest that Jesus ever played “favorites” with His group of followers.

Even Judas is referred to as His “close buddy” and “familiar companion” by the voice of prophesy (Psalm 41:9).

Each occasion necessitated the attendance of a small number of witnesses.

It is vital to note that the three occurrences observed by Peter, James, and John were noteworthy in that they imparted important teachings concerning Jesus’ status as God’s Son.

These particular incidents, on the other hand, were private in character, and on these occasions, Jesus utilized the smallest number of witnesses authorized by the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15).

These parents did not require the presence of a large number of people in and around their home while they were going through this emotional upheaval.

Following that, He issued a firm order that them not inform anybody about what had transpired.

When Jesus was betrayed, He spent a significant amount of time preparing His followers for their impending departure.

3.

In his teachings, Jesus stated that those who demonstrated their faithfulness with a little would be blessed with more (Matthew 25:21, 23, 29).

Rather than being chosen by the Lord, they had distinguished themselves by rising above the rest of society in terms of faith and knowledge.

On several occasions, the Lord reprimanded the disciples as a group for their lack of confidence in the Lord’s promises.

Peter, James, and John did not appear to be more advanced in their faith than the other disciples, according to what the Scriptures say.

To better prepare them for the roles and responsibilities that they will assume in the future.

Perhaps the answer to our question can be found in the actions of these guys following the events of the day.

(Paul is credited with raising Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12), yet Paul was not one of the original twelve apostles.

There may have been more instances of individuals being resurrected from the dead by the apostles, but these are the only two instances that are documented in the Bible.) A parallel may be drawn between the scenario in the upper chamber in which Peter resurrected Dorcas from the dead and the scene in which Peter watched Jesus resurrecting the young girl from the dead.

At some point during the night of His betrayal, Jesus informed Peter that he had been chosen out by Satan to be sifted as wheat (Luke 22:31).

He was led into Gethsemane, where he was reminded of the gravity of the situation and cautioned constantly to keep his eyes peeled and pray that he would not fall prey to temptation.

Peter, just as much as the Lord, required the solitude of Gethsemane.

He was the one who took the initiative in preaching the Gospel for the first time (Acts 2), and he was also the first to preach to Gentiles (Acts 15).

John was the last of the apostles to be still alive.

Anyone who is the last living member of a close group of individuals will have a profound sense of loneliness after they die.

After our Lord’s ascension, very little is known about James the brother of Jesus.

There is a connection between all three of the occurrences that James observed with Peter and John and death.

James witnessed the transfiguration and realized that Jesus would be exalted via His death.

Perhaps these experiences benefited James when he was faced with the prospect of his own death.

Conclusion.

We have no idea what it was that made them deserving of the opportunity to witness such historic occurrences.

It is critical that we acknowledge and accept the reality that God has not provided a solution to this particular query.

When we have done our research and discovered that the Bible does not contain an answer, we must accept this fact and move forward.

While there is nothing wrong with asking questions and exploring the Scriptures for answers, it is extremely perilous for us to shipwreck our faith in the process of looking for solutions that do not exist in reality.

The things that have not been revealed to us are not required for our faith and service to the Lord.

Jesus has the ability to defeat death.

Throughout His life, Jesus has been honored on the mountain and has suffered in the garden, demonstrating that He is both God and man in one person.

While Peter, James, and John were not more important than the other apostles, we must recognize the important roles that they played in the establishment of the church, the spread of the gospel, the strengthening of their brethren, and the confrontation of the error that existed in their day, and we must give them our gratitude for their contributions.

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