오늘의 단상_예수님의 12제자들

 

예수님의 12제자들이 십자가 사건 전후, 부활 후 40일, 승천후 10일 그리고 오순절 이후에 보여준 변화에 주목하여 이 글을 쓰게되었습니다. 무엇때문에 제자들이 예수 그리스도와 그의 가르침에 대해서 새로운 인식과 태도를 갖게 되었는지 생각해 보신적이 있나요? 성경구절을 통해서 제자들의 변화과정을 자세히 살피고, 하나님의 심정을 더 깊이 이해하는 계기가 될 수 있기를 기대합니다.

 

창조주 하나님이 미워하시는 형식적이고 습관적으로 하는 믿음생활, 종교적 생활은 경계해야 합니다. 예수 그리스도는 살아계신 하나님의 아들을 똑바로 알아야 합니다. 그 당시 예수님의 제자들도 우리와 똑같이 연약한 존재였습니다. 그 제자들이 예수님이 붙잡혀서 고난당하고 십자가에 달리는 것을 보면서 두렵고 슬퍼하며 도망하던 모습을 보였습니다. 그런데 무엇때문에 그 짧은 기간에 그들이 완전히 변화되었을까요? 어떻게 목베이고, 돌맞고,말할 수 없는 고통으로 죽기까지 예수는 살아계신 하나님의 아들이시며, 예수님께서 행하신 일과 말씀을 증언하였을까요?

 

혹시 이 글을 읽으시는 분이 아직 예수가 누구인지 모르거나 예수님의 말을 믿지못하고 있다면 예수는 그리스도이시며 창조주 하나님이라는 것을 새롭게 깨닫고 예수님의 대속의 피를 의지하여 하나님앞에 하나님자녀로 서실수 있기를 소망합니다.

 

서론

 

예수 그리스도의 12제자들은 기독교 역사에서 매우 중요한 인물들입니다. 그들은 예수님의 가르침을 직접 받고 그분의 기적을 목격했으며, 십자가 사건과 부활, 승천을 경험했습니다. 그리고 오순절 성령 강림 이후에는 복음을 전하는 사도로서 초대교회 형성에 핵심적인 역할을 했습니다.

 

이 글에서는 12제자들의 여정을 크게 네 시기로 나누어 살펴보겠습니다:

 

1. 십자가 사건 이전
2. 십자가 사건과 부활 직후
3. 부활 후 40일 동안
4. 오순절 이후

 

각 시기별로 제자들의 행동과 태도 변화, 특히 그들의 high profile(적극적/공개적 활동)과 low profile(소극적/은밀한 활동) 양상을 중점적으로 살펴보겠습니다.

 

1. 십자가 사건 이전의 12제자

 

12제자 소개

 

먼저 12제자들을 간단히 소개하겠습니다:

 

1. 시몬 베드로
2. 안드레
3. 야고보(세베대의 아들)
4. 요한(세베대의 아들)
5. 빌립
6. 바돌로매(나다나엘)
7. 도마
8. 마태(레위)
9. 야고보(알패오의 아들)
10. 다대오(유다)
11. 시몬(가나안인)
12. 가룟 유다

 

High Profile: 적극적인 제자 생활

 

십자가 사건 이전 제자들의 모습은 대체로 high profile이었습니다. 그들은:

 

• 예수님을 따라 각 마을과 도시를 다니며 공개적으로 활동했습니다.
• 예수님의 가르침을 듣고 기적을 목격하며 함께 생활했습니다.
• 때로는 예수님의 명령으로 둘씩 짝지어 마을로 보내져 복음을 전하고 병자를 고치는 사역을 했습니다(마 10:5-15, 막 6:7-13, 눅 9:1-6).
• 예수님과 함께 예루살렘에 입성하여 군중들의 환영을 받았습니다(마 21:1-11).

 

특히 베드로, 야고보, 요한은 예수님의 측근으로서 더욱 적극적으로 활동했습니다:

 

• 변화산에 올라가 예수님의 영광스러운 모습을 보았습니다(마 17:1-13).
• 야이로의 딸을 살리실 때 함께 있었습니다(막 5:37).
• 겟세마네 동산에서 예수님과 가장 가까이에서 기도했습니다(마 26:36-46).

 

베드로는 특히 제자들 중 대표격으로 자주 발언하고 행동했습니다:

 

• 예수님을 그리스도라고 고백했습니다(마 16:16).
• 변화산에서 초막 셋을 짓자고 제안했습니다(마 17:4).
• 물 위를 걸으려 시도했습니다(마 14:28-31).
• 예수님의 발 씻기심을 거절했다가 다시 요청했습니다(요 13:6-9).

 

Low Profile: 갈등과 의심의 순간들

 

그러나 제자들이 항상 적극적이고 확신에 찬 모습만 보인 것은 아닙니다. 때로는 의심과 두려움, 갈등을 겪으며 low profile의 모습도 보였습니다:

 

• 풍랑 중에 두려워했습니다(마 8:23-27).
• 예수님의 고난과 죽음에 대한 예언을 이해하지 못하고 부인하려 했습니다(마 16:21-23).
• 누가 가장 큰 자인지 서로 다투었습니다(막 9:33-37).
• 어린아이들이 예수님께 나아오는 것을 막으려 했습니다(마 19:13-15).
• 예수님을 배반할 자가 누구인지 의심하고 걱정했습니다(마 26:20-25).

 

2. 십자가 사건과 부활 직후: 극도의 Low Profile

 

십자가 사건 당시

 

예수님이 체포되고 십자가에 못 박히실 때, 제자들은 극도의 low profile 상태에 빠졌습니다:

 

• 겟세마네 동산에서 잠들었고, 예수님이 체포되자 모두 도망쳤습니다(마 26:56).
• 베드로는 예수님을 세 번이나 부인했습니다(마 26:69-75).
• 가룟 유다는 예수님을 배반한 후 자살했습니다(마 27:3-5).
• 요한을 제외한 나머지 제자들은 십자가 처형 현장에 나타나지 않았습니다(요 19:25-27).

 

부활 직후

 

예수님의 부활 소식을 들은 직후에도 제자들은 여전히 두려움에 사로잡혀 있었습니다:

 

• 유대인들을 두려워하여 문을 걸어 잠그고 숨어 있었습니다(요 20:19).
• 막달라 마리아와 다른 여인들의 부활 소식을 처음에는 믿지 않았습니다(눅 24:11).
• 엠마오로 가던 제자들은 실망과 좌절 속에 예루살렘을 떠나고 있었습니다(눅 24:13-24).

 

이 시기 제자들의 행동은 극도로 조심스럽고 소극적이었습니다. 그들은 예수님의 죽음으로 인한 충격과 슬픔, 그리고 자신들도 체포될지 모른다는 두려움에 사로잡혀 있었습니다.

 

3. 부활 후 40일: Low Profile에서 High Profile로 점진적 변화

 

부활하신 예수님은 40일 동안 제자들에게 여러 차례 나타나셨습니다. 이 기간 동안 제자들은 점차 low profile에서 벗어나 high profile로 변화해갔습니다.

 

주요 사건들

 

1. 막달라 마리아에게 나타나심 (요 20:11-18)
2. 엠마오로 가는 제자들에게 나타나심 (눅 24:13-35)
3. 도마를 제외한 제자들에게 나타나심 (요 20:19-23)
4. 도마를 포함한 제자들에게 나타나심 (요 20:24-29)
5. 갈릴리 호수에서 일곱 제자들에게 나타나심 (요 21:1-23)
6. 갈릴리 산에서 열한 제자에게 나타나심 (마 28:16-20)
7. 500여 형제에게 동시에 나타나심 (고전 15:6)
8. 승천하심 (행 1:6-11)

 

제자들의 변화

 

의심에서 확신으로:

 

도마는 처음에 부활을 의심했지만, 예수님을 직접 대면한 후 "나의 주님, 나의 하나님!"이라고 고백했습니다(요 20:28).

다른 제자들도 처음에는 부활 소식을 믿지 않았지만, 예수님을 만난 후 기뻐하며 확신을 갖게 되었습니다.

 

두려움에서 담대함으로:

 

처음에는 문을 걸어 잠그고 숨어 있던 제자들이 점차 자유롭게 움직이기 시작했습니다.

갈릴리로 가서 예수님의 지시를 기다리는 등 활동 범위가 넓어졌습니다.

 

혼란에서 이해로:

 

예수님은 이 기간 동안 제자들에게 성경을 풀어 설명해주셨습니다(눅 24:44-47).

제자들은 예수님의 고난과 부활의 의미를 깨닫기 시작했습니다.

 

개인적 관심에서 사명 의식으로:

 

예수님은 베드로에게 "내 양을 먹이라"고 말씀하시며 사명을 부여하셨습니다(요 21:15-19).

마지막에는 모든 제자들에게 "너희는 가서 모든 민족을 제자로 삼아라"는 지상 대명령을 주셨습니다(마 28:19-20).

 

여전히 남아있던 Low Profile 요소들

 

그러나 이 기간 동안 제자들이 완전히 high profile로 전환된 것은 아닙니다:

 

여전히 공개적인 장소보다는 비교적 은밀한 곳에서 예수님을 만났습니다.

대중들 앞에서 적극적으로 예수님의 부활을 선포하지는 않았습니다.

예수님의 지시에 따라 예루살렘에서 성령을 기다리며 조용히 지냈습니다(행 1:4).

 

4. 오순절 이후: 완전한 High Profile로의 전환

 

오순절에 성령이 임하면서 제자들은 극적인 변화를 겪게 됩니다. 이제 그들은 완전한 high profile의 모습을 보이며 적극적으로 복음을 전하기 시작합니다.

 

성령 강림의 영향

 

담대한 설교:

 

베드로는 군중들 앞에서 담대하게 설교하여 3000명이 회개하고 세례를 받게 했습니다(행 2:14-41).

제자들은 성전과 집집마다 다니며 예수님에 대해 가르치고 전도했습니다(행 5:42).

 

기적 행함:

 

베드로와 요한은 성전 미문에서 앉은뱅이를 고쳤습니다(행 3:1-10).

사도들의 손으로 많은 표적과 기사가 일어났습니다(행 5:12).

 

박해 속 굴하지 않음:

 

체포되고 매를 맞아도 기뻐하며 복음 전파를 멈추지 않았습니다(행 5:40-42).

스데반은 순교하면서도 담대히 설교했습니다(행 7장).

 

선교 활동 확장:

 

빌립은 사마리아에 가서 전도했습니다(행 8:5-8).

베드로는 이방인 고넬료에게 복음을 전했습니다(행 10장).

다른 제자들도 여러 지역으로 퍼져나가 복음을 전했습니다.

 

개별 제자들의 행적

 

오순절 이후 개별 제자들의 행적을 간단히 살펴보겠습니다:

 

베드로:

초대교회의 지도자로 활약했습니다.

여러 서신을 썼으며, 로마에서 순교했다고 전해집니다.

 

요한:

에베소를 중심으로 사역했습니다.

요한복음, 요한서신, 요한계시록을 썼습니다.

유일하게 순교하지 않고 늙어 죽었다고 전해집니다.

 

야고보(세베대의 아들):

가장 먼저 순교한 사도로, 헤롯 아그립바 1세에 의해 처형되었습니다(행 12:2).

 

안드레:

안드레: 소아시아와 그리스 지역에서 복음을 전파했습니다. 그리스 파트라스에서 X자 모양의 십자가에 매달려 순교했다고 전해집니다.

 

빌립: 소아시아 지역에서 주로 활동했습니다. 히에라폴리스에서 순교했다고 전합니다.

 

바돌로매(나다나엘): 아르메니아, 인도, 에티오피아 등지에서 선교했다고 전해집니다. 아르메니아에서 순교했다는 기록이 있습니다.

 

도마: 인도까지 가서 복음을 전했다고 알려져 있습니다. 인도 남부에서 순교했다는 전승이 있습니다.

 

마태: 에티오피아에서 선교 활동을 했다고 전해집니다. 에티오피아에서 순교했다는 기록이 있습니다.

 

야고보(알패오의 아들): 예루살렘 교회의 지도자 역할을 했다고 알려져 있습니다. 예루살렘에서 순교했다는 전승이 있습니다.

 

다대오(유다): 메소포타미아와 페르시아 지역에서 복음을 전했다고 전해집니다. 페르시아에서 순교했다는 기록이 있습니다.

 

시몬(가나안인): 이집트와 페르시아 등지에서 선교했다고 알려져 있습니다. 페르시아에서 순교했다는 전승이 있습니다.

 

이들 대부분의 행적은 성경 외의 전승과 초기 교회의 기록들을 통해 전해지고 있으며, 정확한 사실 확인은 어렵습니다. 그러나 이들이 각자의 지역에서 열정적으로 복음을 전하다가 대부분 순교로 생을 마감했다는 점은 공통적으로 인정되고 있습니다.

 

< 검색원문 >

 

The 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, also known as apostles, were:

 

1. Simon Peter (also known as Peter)
2. Andrew (Peter's brother)
3. James (son of Zebedee)
4. John (James's brother)
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)
7. Matthew (the tax collector)
8. Thomas (often called "Doubting Thomas")
9. James (son of Alphaeus)
10. Thaddeus (also known as Jude or Lebbaeus)
11. Simon the Zealot
12. Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus) [5]

 

These disciples were chosen by Jesus to spread his teachings and play significant roles in the early Christian church.

Here is a brief description of the 12 apostles and what happened to them:

 

1. Peter (Simon): Leader among the disciples; crucified upside down in Rome.
2. Andrew: Brother of Peter; crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece.
3. James (son of Zebedee): First apostle to be martyred, beheaded by Herod Agrippa I [6].
4. John (brother of James): Only apostle believed to have died of old age, likely in Ephesus [1].
5. Philip: Preached in Asia Minor; said to have been martyred.
6. Bartholomew (Nathanael): Preached in India; reportedly flayed alive and beheaded.
7. Matthew (Levi): Killed by a sword wound in Ethiopia [3].
8. Thomas (Didymus): Preached in India, where he was killed by a spear.
9. James (son of Alphaeus): Little is known about his death, but he is believed to have been martyred.
10. Thaddeus (Jude, Lebbaeus): Believed to have been martyred in Persia.
11. Simon the Zealot: Tradition suggests he was crucified [5].
12. Judas Iscariot: Betrayed Jesus and committed suicide [4].

 

Most apostles died as martyrs while spreading Christianity across various regions.

The last time the apostles met Jesus Christ before His ascension was after His resurrection. This event is described primarily in the Bible as the period between Jesus' resurrection and His ascension, which lasted for 40 days.

 

Here is a summary for each apostle:

 

1. Peter, Andrew, James, and John: They met Jesus on multiple occasions during the 40 days after His resurrection. One notable encounter was at the Sea of Galilee when Jesus restored Peter (John 21).
2. Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot: These apostles were present during Jesus' appearances, such as when He appeared to them in a locked room (John 20:19-29).
3. Thomas: He initially missed Jesus’ first appearance to the group, but later met Him during another appearance, famously placing his hands in Jesus' wounds (John 20:24-29).
4. Judas Iscariot: He was not present since he had already died by suicide after betraying Jesus.
5. All remaining apostles: The final encounter for all of them was at the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven in their presence (Acts 1:9-12).

 

The key event is Jesus' ascension at the Mount of Olives, which marked the last time they physically saw Jesus [4].

 

The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, which occurred 10 days after Jesus' ascension. Jesus ascended 40 days after His resurrection, and Pentecost happened on the 50th day, marking 10 days after the Ascension [1] [2].

The apostles stayed in Jerusalem until about 14 years after Jesus' ascension. This was the period when they focused on establishing the early church and spreading the message within Jerusalem. They remained in the city in obedience to Jesus' command to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit and to start their ministry from there (Acts 1:8) [6].

The dispersion of the apostles began later, likely due to the increasing persecution against Christians, which pushed many disciples to leave the city. This dispersion happened around 14 years after Jesus’ ascension [4].

the apostles and early Christians believed that Jesus would return imminently, which influenced their decision to stay in Jerusalem for a long period after His ascension. The apostles expected Jesus to return during their lifetime, which is why they focused their initial efforts in Jerusalem, spreading His teachings locally and preparing the early believers for what they thought would be His imminent return [4].

This belief in an imminent return was common among early Christians. They interpreted Jesus' teachings and actions as indications that He would soon return to establish His kingdom, leading them to remain in the area where His ministry took place [2].

The apostles' prolonged stay in Jerusalem, approximately 14 years, was thus driven by their expectation that Jesus' return was near and their commitment to spreading the gospel locally before venturing to other regions.

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus instructed His disciples to teach new believers to "observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." The focus was on fully adhering to Jesus' teachings, not modifying or selectively following them. The command was a call to discipleship, implying the need for obedience to all of Jesus' teachings and fostering that obedience in others [2].

There is some criticism that early followers, and perhaps Christians throughout history, did not fully meet the expectation to follow every commandment of Jesus. Issues like partial obedience or inconsistency have often been raised by Christian leaders, who lament the common struggle among believers to be wholly committed to Jesus' commands [4].

Therefore, while the disciples aimed to follow Jesus' commandments and teach them, human shortcomings and challenges meant that complete adherence was not always achieved perfectly.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commanded His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The apostles generally followed Jesus' instructions closely, focusing on baptizing new believers and teaching them to observe all Jesus had commanded [1].

However, there are debates about whether they followed every aspect of this command exactly as intended. For example, some argue that the apostles did not always use the "baptismal formula" of invoking the Trinity as explicitly outlined in Matthew 28:19. Instead, in the Book of Acts, baptisms are frequently described as being performed "in the name of Jesus Christ," which has led to some differences in interpretation [4].

The spirit of the command was followed in terms of spreading the message, baptizing believers, and teaching obedience to Jesus’ teachings, but the exact wording and method of the baptismal practice seem to have varied in some instances.

The apostles were indeed tasked with making disciples of all nations, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. However, their prolonged stay in Jerusalem for about 14 years could be seen as a limitation in the early fulfillment of this command. Initially, many apostles focused on ministering locally, primarily to the Jews, rather than immediately going to all nations [5].

This extended stay in Jerusalem may have been due to several reasons, including the need to establish the early church, to build a strong foundation for the new community of believers, and the expectation of Jesus' imminent return. It wasn't until later, particularly after the dispersion triggered by persecution, that the apostles began to spread more widely, fulfilling the directive to reach all nations [5].

Therefore, while the apostles eventually obeyed the Great Commission, it is true that the initial phase of their ministry was primarily concentrated in Jerusalem rather than immediately going out to all nations.

during the 14 years that the apostles remained in Jerusalem, James, the son of Zebedee, was killed. James was the first apostle to be martyred. He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I, likely around 44 AD. This event is recorded in Acts 12:1-2, and it is the only recorded death of an apostle during the initial years of the early church in Jerusalem.

The rest of the apostles continued their ministry in Jerusalem and eventually began to spread out more widely after this period, but James's death marked a significant moment in the history of early Christian persecution.

Most scholars agree that Jesus Christ died between AD 30 and AD 33. A commonly accepted specific date is April 3, AD 33. This conclusion is based on historical, astronomical, and scriptural analysis. Some scholars also suggest possible years as early as AD 28, but the dates AD 30 or AD 33 are the most widely supported [2] [3] [4].

 

there are multiple sources and written documents that support the claim that James, the son of Zebedee, died in AD 44:

1. The Book of Acts in the Bible records James' death. Acts 12:1-2 mentions that King Herod Agrippa I ordered James to be killed by the sword, and this occurred around AD 44 [4].
2. Historical Records and Commentaries: Various Christian writings, such as those documented by church historians, also support this timeline. Britannica mentions that James died in Jerusalem in AD 44 [1].
3. Christian Heritage Fellowship: This source also confirms that James was martyred in AD 44, following the death of Stephen, and highlights that James held a significant place in early Christian history [5].
4. Wikipedia and Other Historical Overviews: Several other documents, including Wikipedia and other reputable historical summaries, confirm that James, the son of Zebedee, died in AD 44 as one of the early martyrs of the Christian faith [3] [6].

 

These sources together provide strong historical support that James, the son of Zebedee, was indeed martyred in AD 44.

The death of Stephen is described in Acts 7:54-60. Stephen, one of the early followers of Jesus and considered the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death for his bold testimony about Jesus and his accusations against the Jewish leaders for their resistance to God's message.

During the stoning, Stephen prayed, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." After he said this, he passed away [2] [3].

Before being stoned, Stephen had a vision in which he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, which further infuriated his accusers. His death is seen as a powerful example of forgiveness and faithfulness under persecution [4].

 

The death of Stephen is recorded in Acts 7:54-60. This passage describes Stephen being stoned to death by a crowd after delivering a powerful speech that convicted the religious leaders of rejecting God's messengers. As Stephen was being stoned, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He then fell to his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," and after saying this, he died [1] [6].

These verses highlight Stephen's remarkable forgiveness and steadfast faith in Jesus even in the face of death. His martyrdom marks a significant moment in the early Christian church as Stephen is considered the first Christian martyr.

 

James, the son of Zebedee, was martyred approximately ten years after the death of Stephen. Stephen, recognized as the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death around AD 34-35. James, the son of Zebedee, was killed by order of King Herod Agrippa I in AD 44, making it roughly a decade after Stephen's martyrdom [2].

During the 40 days between Jesus' resurrection and His ascension, Jesus appeared to various people and performed several important acts:

 

1. He Appeared to His Disciples and Others: Jesus appeared to His disciples multiple times, strengthening their faith and preparing them for their mission. For example, He met with the disciples at various times, including appearing to them in a locked room and by the Sea of Galilee. He also appeared to more than 500 people at one time (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:6) [6].
2. Taught His Disciples: During these 40 days, Jesus took time to teach His disciples, further explaining the Scriptures and preparing them for their upcoming responsibilities to spread His teachings after His ascension [4].
3. Appeared to Individuals and Groups: Jesus appeared to individuals like Mary Magdalene and two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He also appeared to Thomas, convincing him of His resurrection by inviting Thomas to touch His wounds [5].
4. Provided Proof of His Resurrection: Acts 1:3 notes that Jesus provided many convincing proofs that He was alive, thus reassuring His followers and dispelling their doubts [1].

 

These appearances were crucial in confirming Jesus' resurrection and empowering His followers to carry on His mission after His ascension

During the 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus focused on teaching and preparing His disciples for their future mission:

 

1. Reinforcing the Kingdom of God: Jesus taught extensively about the Kingdom of God. He gave His disciples deeper understanding of the Scriptures, explaining how the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms were fulfilled in Him [2].
2. Preparing the Disciples for Their Mission: Jesus provided guidance and instructions to His disciples, preparing them for the time when He would no longer be with them physically. He instructed them to go out and spread His teachings, making disciples of all nations and baptizing them [4].
3. Proof of His Resurrection: During this period, Jesus provided many convincing proofs of His resurrection to reassure His disciples of His victory over death and to strengthen their faith [5].

 

These teachings were critical in laying the foundation for the apostles' future ministry and establishing the early Christian church.

Here are 10 verses that support Jesus' extensive teaching about the Kingdom of God:

 

1. Matthew 4:17 - "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' public proclamation about the Kingdom of God [1].
2. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus emphasizes the priority of God's Kingdom above worldly needs [2].
3. Mark 1:15 - "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." This summarizes Jesus' central message during His ministry [3].
4. Luke 4:43 - "But He said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'" Jesus explains the importance of His mission to spread the Kingdom's message.
5. Matthew 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Jesus uses parables to describe the great value of the Kingdom of God.
6. Luke 17:21 - "Nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Jesus teaches that the Kingdom is not just a future event but something present and internal.
7. Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus connects the Kingdom to those who are humble and spiritually dependent on God.
8. Matthew 10:7 - "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Jesus commanded His disciples to spread the message of the Kingdom.
9. John 3:3 - Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus explains the spiritual rebirth necessary to enter the Kingdom.
10. Luke 22:29-30 - "And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom." Jesus speaks of His followers' future participation in His Kingdom.

 

These verses clearly show that teaching about the Kingdom of God was a central theme of Jesus' ministry.

During the 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus focused primarily on teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God. His teachings during this period had a clear purpose: to prepare His followers for their upcoming roles in spreading the gospel and establishing the early Christian church.

 

1. Kingdom of God: Jesus continued His focus on teaching about the Kingdom of God during this period. Acts 1:3 states that He spoke of things concerning the Kingdom, emphasizing its nature and its fulfillment. This was meant to provide a solid theological foundation for the apostles to teach others [5].
2. Preparation for Ministry: Jesus used the 40 days to instruct His disciples and prepare them for their key ministry roles. His teachings covered what was to come, including the coming of the Holy Spirit and their commission to spread His message to all nations [4].
3. Assurance and Proof of His Resurrection: Jesus also provided "many convincing proofs" that He was alive, appearing to His disciples repeatedly to reassure them. This included personal interactions, eating with them, and allowing them to touch Him to confirm His physical resurrection [2].

 

These teachings were not only meant to prepare the disciples for their upcoming mission but also to solidify their understanding of the spiritual significance of Jesus' resurrection and the reality of the Kingdom they were to represent and proclaim.

During the 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus performed several key actions to prepare His disciples and affirm His teachings. Here are the top 10 things Jesus did during this period:

 

1. Appeared to His Disciples: Jesus appeared to His disciples multiple times, providing "many convincing proofs" that He was truly alive, assuring them of His resurrection [4].
2. Taught About the Kingdom of God: He continued teaching about the Kingdom of God, helping the disciples understand the spiritual nature of His mission [5].
3. Gave Commandments to the Apostles: Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus gave specific commandments to His apostles, preparing them for the tasks ahead [5].
4. Reinforced Their Faith: Jesus strengthened the faith of His followers by allowing them to touch His wounds and by eating with them, showing that He was physically resurrected [5].
5. Restored Peter: Jesus had a significant conversation with Peter, asking him three times if he loved Him. This was seen as a restoration after Peter’s denial of Jesus before the crucifixion (John 21).
6. Performed the Great Commission: He gave His disciples the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe His teachings (Matthew 28:19-20).
7. Promised the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come upon them, empowering them to continue His work (Acts 1:4-5).
8. Met With Followers on the Road to Emmaus: Jesus met and conversed with two of His followers on the road to Emmaus, explaining how the scriptures pointed to Him (Luke 24:13-35).
9. Revealed Himself to Thomas: Jesus specifically appeared to the disciples, including Thomas, who had doubted His resurrection until he could see and touch Jesus' wounds (John 20:24-29).
10. Ascended Into Heaven: Finally, after forty days, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, witnessed by His disciples (Acts 1:9-11) [1].

 

These actions were crucial for ensuring that the disciples were well-prepared to continue Jesus' mission after His ascension.

Only one of Jesus' twelve apostles was recorded as being near the cross while Jesus was dying—John, often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" [3]. John stood near the cross alongside several women, including Jesus' mother Mary, providing support during Jesus' final moments [4].

 

The other disciples are not mentioned as being present at the crucifixion, likely due to fear of being arrested themselves or the overwhelming emotional burden of witnessing such an event [3].

When Jesus was crucified, the majority of His disciples were not present at the scene. Only John, often referred to as "the beloved disciple," was specifically mentioned as being there. John stood at the foot of the cross along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women who were close to Jesus during His ministry [1].

 

The other disciples had scattered, likely due to fear of arrest or the trauma of witnessing their leader's execution. While the Gospels do not explicitly detail the location of each disciple, it is implied that they kept a low profile during this dangerous time.

The disciples of Jesus kept a low profile during His crucifixion out of fear. The violent and public nature of Jesus' death on the cross, executed by Roman authorities under pressure from religious leaders, created a highly threatening environment for His followers. They were afraid of being arrested or suffering a similar fate for their association with Jesus. Thus, most disciples, except John, scattered and remained hidden during this time.

 

After Jesus' resurrection, however, the situation changed dramatically. Several factors led the disciples to adopt a much more public, "high profile" stance:

 

1. Resurrection Appearances: Jesus appeared to His disciples multiple times after His resurrection over a period of 40 days. These appearances gave the disciples a new level of confidence and a belief in the truth of Jesus' divine power and His triumph over death [2].
2. The Great Commission: Jesus explicitly commanded His followers to go out and spread His teachings. This instruction, known as the Great Commission, was a direct call to evangelize without fear, which emboldened the disciples to go public with their faith despite the risks [6].
3. Pentecost and the Holy Spirit: Fifty days after Jesus' resurrection, at the event known as Pentecost, the disciples received the Holy Spirit. This powerful experience transformed their timidity into boldness, enabling them to speak openly about Jesus even in Jerusalem, where He had been executed. The presence of the Holy Spirit gave them strength and the ability to perform miracles, which further convinced them of their mission [2].
4. Spreading the Message: The disciples began teaching publicly, performing miracles, and spreading the message of Jesus’ resurrection to as many people as possible. The conviction that Jesus had risen and the hope that His resurrection offered to humanity overcame their previous fear, making them willing to face persecution or even martyrdom.

 

Thus, their transformation from keeping a low profile during the crucifixion to taking a high-profile stance afterward was driven by the resurrection of Jesus, His commands, the empowerment from the Holy Spirit, and their renewed sense of purpose in sharing their message with the world.

 

After Jesus' resurrection, Peter and the other disciples had several different movements and meeting places:

 

1. Jerusalem: Initially, the disciples remained in Jerusalem. Jesus appeared to them there on multiple occasions, including when He appeared to all the gathered disciples, including Thomas, to reassure them and give further instructions (John 20:19-29) [2].
2. Galilee: Jesus had specifically told His disciples to meet Him in Galilee after His resurrection. He appeared to them there by the Sea of Galilee, where Peter famously reaffirmed his love for Jesus and received the instruction to "feed my sheep" (John 21:1-17) [1].
3. Return to Fishing in Galilee: At some point, Peter, along with a few others, went back to fishing in Galilee, possibly out of confusion about what to do next or in need of income. It was during this time that Jesus appeared to them again and performed the miracle

 

After Jesus's ascension into heaven, Peter and the other disciples initially remained in Jerusalem. They gathered together in the upper room to pray, wait for the Holy Spirit, and continue the ministry that Jesus had instructed them to carry out. This event is detailed in the Book of Acts, where they also chose Matthias to replace Judas as one of the Twelve Apostles [6].

 

Eventually, the apostles began to spread out from Jerusalem to different regions to preach the gospel:

 

1. Peter traveled first to Antioch, where he helped establish a Christian community before continuing his missionary work in various places, including Rome [3].
2. Other Apostles similarly spread out and traveled to various parts of the world, as they were commanded to "preach everywhere," fulfilling the Great Commission [4].

 

The apostles' initial base was Jerusalem, but they soon began their broader mission as witnesses of Jesus throughout the known world.

Saul's encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus, which led to his conversion, is estimated to have taken place around AD 33 to 36. This timeframe is inferred based on the broader timeline of Saul's (later Paul) life, his age, and historical events related to the early Christian church. Saul was likely in his late 20s or early 30s when this conversion happened [6].

 

There is no specific Bible verse that directly provides an exact date, like AD 33 to 36, for the event of Saul's conversion. The estimation of the timeline is derived from historical and contextual analysis of New Testament events.

 

However, Acts 9 provides a detailed account of Saul's experience on the road to Damascus. This chapter describes the transformative moment Saul (Paul) had when he encountered Jesus, but it does not mention specific dates.

 

For further reference on the account of Saul's conversion:

• Acts 9:1-19: This passage narrates Saul's journey to Damascus, his encounter with Jesus, and his subsequent blindness and conversion [3].