Introduction
When you hear the word ‘apostle,’ you might think of the Twelve Disciples who followed Jesus around in Biblical times. These are the men Jesus picked to help spread His teachings. So what do we really know about them? It turns out we have a mix of history and tradition to guide us. Let’s dig into this interesting topic to see where the two meet.
Who Were the Apostles?
The apostles were twelve men chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers. They were regular folks—fishermen, tax collectors, and such. You can find their names in the New Testament, specifically Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the apostles were sent to “be with Him and to be sent out to proclaim [His message]” (CCC 858). Basically, they were both friends and messengers of Jesus.
Where the Bible Leaves Off
The New Testament tells us a lot about the apostles during the life of Jesus and a bit about what they did after His Resurrection. For instance, Peter took a leadership role in the early Church, and Paul, who was not one of the original twelve but is often called an apostle, wrote many letters that are part of the New Testament. But the Bible isn’t a biography of each apostle. So how do we know what happened to them?
Tradition Fills the Gap
Tradition is like the stories passed down in a family. In the Catholic Church, Tradition (with a capital ‘T’) is considered just as important as the Bible for understanding the faith (CCC 82). So what does Tradition say about the apostles?
Peter
Peter is perhaps the most famous of the apostles. After Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter became the first Pope, according to Catholic Tradition. He went to Rome and was killed there for his faith. The Church says he was crucified upside down (CCC 881).
Paul
Paul wasn’t one of the original twelve, but his impact was huge. Tradition holds that he was also in Rome at the same time as Peter and was beheaded. His letters to various communities form a big chunk of the New Testament.
Andrew
Andrew was Peter’s brother and also a fisherman. Tradition says he preached in various parts of Asia and was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is now known as “St. Andrew’s Cross.”
James the Greater
James the Greater, the brother of John, was one of the first apostles to be martyred. Tradition says he preached in Spain before coming back to Jerusalem, where he was killed by King Herod (Acts 12:1-2).
John
John, the ‘Beloved Disciple,’ is unique because he’s the only apostle who wasn’t martyred. Tradition holds that he lived a long life and wrote the Book of Revelation.
Where History Steps In
While Tradition tells us a lot, history can help verify these stories. In the case of Peter and Paul, for example, historical records and archaeology support the idea that they were indeed in Rome and were martyred there.
However, history is often limited. For many apostles, we don’t have clear historical evidence to back up the stories from Tradition. For example, there’s still debate among scholars about whether James the Greater really went to Spain.
The Lives of the Apostles as an Inspiration
The most important thing to remember is that these men were chosen by Jesus to spread His message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. Whether through the lens of Tradition or the snippets found in history, the apostles serve as enduring models of faith.
Their stories inspire us to live out our own call to follow Jesus, just like they did. The Catechism says that the Church is apostolic, meaning it continues the work started by the apostles (CCC 857). That means every Catholic has a role to play in this ongoing story.
Conclusion
The apostles were ordinary men called to an extraordinary mission. While the Bible gives us the starting point for understanding their lives, Tradition fills in many of the gaps, and history gives us a way to check those stories. Together, these sources help us appreciate the apostles not just as historical figures, but as real men who answered Jesus’ call to “come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). By looking to them, we can find inspiration for our own journey of faith.