Jesus Calls the Twelve Disciples (Matt 10:2-4, Mk 3:13-19, Lk 6:12-16)

Jesus Calls the Twelve Disciples (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, Luke5:27)

Apart from the first four disciples and Matthew, the Levi, and a tax collector whom Jesus also called, many other people showed interest to leave their work and follow Jesus.

Jesus prayed all night to God to help him select the right men.

Jesus wanted honest, faithful, and loyal men, who will devote their lives to the service of God.

Jesus called the people together and selected twelve men from among them.

Invariably, the twelve represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

They were to form the new covenant community of believers that Jesus had come to establish.  This new community is the church of Christ.

The names of the twelve disciples of Jesus are Simon (who He named Peter), and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot who also betrayed Jesus (Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19)

Therefore, Jesus called his disciples.

1. To continue the work of evangelism.
2. To help others follow God.
3. To become spiritually productive.
4. To continue Jesus’ ministry of teaching, preaching and healing.
5. To become fishers of men.

The names of the twelve disciples were: Simeon Peter, Andrew, James, and John (The sons of Zebedee) Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas (The son of Alpheus), Simon the Zealot, Thaddeus, and Judas Iscariot.