Importance of the 12 Apostles

In the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 28: 19-20, a message from Jesus is remembered: that his followers had to make the word of God known to all nations. This idea was assumed by the twelve apostles who followed Jesus and with it began to consolidate the Christianity.

The apostles or disciples of Christ, the true Messiah for Christians, played a fundamental role in cementing the Christian church. The names of these men are as follows: Andrés, Bartolomé, Santiago the minor, Santiago the elder, Judas Iscariot, Juan, Judas Tadeo, Pedro, Mateo, Felipe, Tomás and Simón.

As told by the Bible, all of them had the gift of languages ​​and after the death of their teacher they began to spread their teachings throughout the world.

To be considered an apostle one had to meet certain characteristics

In the first place, having personally known Jesus of Nazareth. Second, that Jesus himself had chosen him as one of his faithful followers. On the other hand, having witnessed and known firsthand the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the cross.

At the same time, an apostle has to be willing to give his life for Jesus and for the gospel. Finally, follow Jesus in his teachings. All the apostles, except Matthias, who was chosen by lot to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, had the five characteristics marked.

The twelve apostles had a unique role in evangelization, but the end of most of them was marked by tragedy

– Bartholomew traveled through the territory of Armenia and made many conversions to the Christian faith, although he was finally martyred until his death.

– James, the youngest, remained in the city of Jerusalem and a group of Jews joined him (it is said that a priest he ordered to kill him, because he feared that he would become too popular among the Jews, but according to other versions it is affirmed that he died stoned).

– Andrés focused on his evangelizing task in the western part of Europe and ended his life crucified.

– John the Evangelist cared for the mother of Jesus and according to some accounts he was immersed in a cauldron of boiling oil (he survived the punishment and later wrote the Apocalypse).

– Simon, also known as Peter, lived deeply repentant for having denied Jesus three times. times and he died crucified downwards, for he did not consider himself worthy of being crucified as his teacher.

– It is said that Judas Iscariot repented of his betrayal and took his own life by hanging himself from a tree.

– Tomás went to the territory of India and his days ended after being martyred. James the elder, who was John's brother, was beheaded in Jerusalem by order of Herod Agrippa.

– The Apostle Philip had a prominent role as an evangelizer in the territory of Greece and with respect to his death it is very likely that he was stoned.

– Mateo focused on the drafting of the gospel of him and there are several hypothesis about the place where he died.

– Judas Tadeo, popularly known as the lawyer of impossible causes, preached in Persia and finally died as a martyr.

Fotolia images: Ruskpp, Erica Guilane-Nachez