The Apostles : their lives and labors

Front matter

m

.6 ^

A sO

Preface

The work is done, the book is written. It has closely occupied the time at my cc^mmand for this purpose during the last five years.

In gathering the material for it, I held myself firmly to my original design — to write a book on the Lives and Labors of the Apostles, which, both as to faith and moralsj might be safely placed in the hands of every one. I have, as far as possible, avoided the use of scientific terms, and endeavored to be popular both in style and the arrangement of the matter, so as to make my language easily understood also by the common reader.

Our Saviour teaches us many important lessons through the Lives and Labors of His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament — lessons, which cannot be too often pondered, or too much taken to heart. They being dead, yet speak in their Acts as well as in their written words. Look at the Apostles, and see them. Listen, and hear them. I have endeavored to set before the reader a continuous and consistent account of each Apostle^s life and life-work, not in detached parts, but — -for so it was lived — as a unit or connected whole, har-

monious throughout. The best authorities on the subject have been diligently consulted and freely used; and the author's indebtedness to other laborers in this field, is here and throughout the work appropriately acknowledged.

To the Rev. Isaac K. Loos, of this place, I feel grateful for important suggestions and aid in the preparation of this book. With this brief introductory, I lay ray work at the feet of our Lord and Master, beseeching Him to bless its reading to the temporal and eternal welfare of His people. D. F. B.

Bethlehem, Pa., Jan. 188L

Introduction

There are few subjects which have more interest to the followers of our Lordaud Saviour Jesus Christ, than the history of the lives and labors of the disciples, whom He called to be His Apostles. These men had been with the Saviour, and were personallv tauglit by Him, at least three years. These Apostles or commissioners He also endowed with power and wisdom from on high, so as to enable them to carry forward successfully the work of salvation in the upbuilding of that kingdom which He came to establish for the Redemption of mankind. While they were thus engaged in the spread of the Gospel and the propagation of the Christian Religion, they were preserved by the Holy Ghost from committing any error.

The word Apostle means one ^* cquipped,^^ '^fitted out,'^ or sent forth as a commissioner on son^e important business, in the name and by the authority of Christ. The Lord had chosen twelve such Apostles, who were His most intimate friends and constant companions, during His earthly life. They were Galileans, taken from the humble walks of life, and did not possess great

(vii)

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

natural advantages for communicating divine truth among learned foreigners, but were rather illiterate men. Their mission was namely to labor among the Jews in Palestine and the East. One of these, Judas Iscariot, became a traitor, and at last sold his Lord and Master for thirty pieces of silver. True, he repented of his wickedness when Christ was about to be condemned to the cross, but not like Peter, who repented, believed and was pardoned ; no, he repented, despaired and hung himself.

After Christ had ascended into heaven, the Apostles held an election and chose Matthias to fill the vacancy of the traitor Judas.

Still later, and some time after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, Saul the persecutor of Christians was called directly by Christ from heaven to the Apostleship (Acts ix. 5), and his name changed to Paul, after he had fully entered upon his Gentile mission. Paul was the most learned of all the Apostles, a scholar of the renowned Gamaliel, as well as the most active and powerful worker among them. He labored and wrote more than all the other Apostles put together (1 Cor. xv. 10). The missionary field was according to their peculiar qualifications so divided among them, that the Galilean Apostles labored in Palestine and the East, and Paul, the more learned, principally among the more intelligent Gentiles of the West. In their field of labor the former

I N T R O D U C T I () N . IX

were abundantly able to cope with oriental mysticism ; but with the more polished and learned philosophers of Athens, Corinth and Rome, Paul alone was able to contend successfully.

If we regard the election of Matthias as of divine authority, we have thirteen Apostles ; if we reject that election, we have only twelve; the Apostles then must have made a mistake in not waiting quietly, as they should have done, and were requested to do by the Saviour, until after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, which gave them more light in divine things. Those who regard Matthias as an Apostle, must either reject Paul and regard him as a deceiver, which would be detrimental to Christianity, in a great measure built upon PauFs writings ; or they will have thirteen Apostles, which does not harmonize with the language of Christ. We rather think that the Apostles were in error, for Christ promised to the twelve Apostles that they should judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. xix. 28, Luke xxii. 30). We read also of the new Jerusalem, which has twelve foundations, bearing the names of the twelve Apostles (Rev. xxi. 14). Besides, we never read of Matthias after his election. Paul is sometimes called the Apostle of the Gentiles, but he labored also among the Jews. The other Apostles, though mainly employed amongst the Jews, also labored among the Gentiles.

Moreover, an Apostle cannot be called by men, but

X I N T li O D U C T I O X .

he must be called directly and |)ersonally by Christ. Paul was so called (Acts ix. 5, 1 Cor. xv. 8). We conclude, therefore, that those who were called emphatically the Apostles and received their commission from Christ himself, were the eleven who had been chosen by Him while on earth, with St. Paul, w^hom He afterwards called directly from heaven.

Matthias was chosen by lot, and not directly and personally called by Christ. There is also something extraordinary in Paul's call, which we cannot fully comprehend. He saw the Lord, and was called by Him to be an Apostle, as one ^4)()rp out of due time" (1 Cor. XV. 8). Paul is, no doubt, the true substitute of Judas, the betrayer. In Paul we have tlie ty|)e of Protestantism, which w^as also an ecclesiastical irregularity ; it, too, was, as it were, like Paul, ^^born as one out of due time,'^ and yet it has been accomplishiug w^onders during the last three hundred years. PauTs peculiar doctrine of grace was only understood and brought out by the Reformation and since.

These Apostles all followed the Lord while He was upon earth, except Paul, and heard His preaching, saw His miracles, and received His instructions. They also saw the empty grave, and were eye-witnesses of His crucifixion and death, and had seen the Saviour again and conversed with Him after His resurrection. What Paul lacked in this respect from the other Apostles, the

INTRODUCTION. XI

Saviour no doubt supplied to him while he was three years in the wilderness of Arabia. These Apostles were Christ's true representatives on earthy for the propagation of His Gospel and the upbuilding of His kingdom. They were all faithful laborers, and all, except John, sealed their faith in the Saviour by suffering martyrdom. The last one, namely John, died about the year A. D. 100.

The Saviour then, as now, passed like a heavenly Dove over the mansions of the great and wealthy, and selected the sons of toil, with honest habits formed in their youth, from among the pure society of countryplains and valleys to become the organizers of that kingdom which He came to establish. A compliment paid to the poor and lowly by divine appointment. From my childhood on, I ever loved and respected the minister of God, especially the Apostles, whom I had learned to reverence with all my soul, and never thought to ask myself why ; perhaps it was implanted in my youthful heart by my good mother.

It is my purpose now to write a short practical 'account of all J:hese Apostles, and give the principal facts of their history, with some remarks on their writings, and the manner of their death. We feel doubly assured that such a volume will be highly appreciated by the Christian public. For reasons made necessary by our plan, we have not followed the order in which

Xli I X T R () I> U VT I i> N .

the Apostles are named in the New Testament. In the preparation of this work, we have been greatly aided by Conybeare & Howson^s Life ot Paul, and Bacon's lives of the Apostles.

Chapter I. The Apostle Peter

Peter, tlie great Apostle of Jesus Christy was the son of Jonah^ and was born in Galilee^ at Bethsaida^ a town situated on the western shore of the sea of Gennesareth. He was no doubt from the lower order of society, as the time of his birth is not known in history. But it is supposed by some that he was about forty years of age when called^ by others that he was of about the same age with Jesus Christ. This^ however^ rests upon the fact that he was already married when called to be a disciple. His original name was Simon or Simeon^ which means a hearer ; he had also a brother of the name of Andrew^ who was a disciple of John the Baptist. This brother brought him to Jesus. The multitude ^Svho waited for the consolation of Israel/^ were strongly excited about John^ and '^all men mused in their hearts whether he were the Christ or not.^^ In the midst of this excitement^ John vindicated his honesty and sincerity by distinctly declaring that he was not the Christ, but only a voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the king of Israel, announcing that

14 THE I.IVES OF

the true Messiah stood at that time in their midst, though unknown in His real character. This fact being mentioned by John, very naturally excited the curiosity of all, and when Andrew had found Christ, he came and told his brother Peter and brought him to the Messiah. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, ^^Thou art Simon the son of Jonah : thou shalt be called Cephas : which is^ by interpretation, a stone/' (John i. 42 — 43.) The Syriac word for stone or rock is Cephas, the Latin Petra, w^ience the name of Peter.

§ 1. PETER WAS MARRIED.

Peter, like most of the Apostles, was married. He had his house, his wife and mother-in-law at Capernaum, on the lake of Gennesareth (Matt. viii. 14). Though Peter was married and had a wife with him, yet was he called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ. " Learn hence,'^ says Theophylact, ^^that marriage is no hindrance to virtue, since the chief of the Apostles had a wife." Marriage is truly a divine institution, and God positively declared that celibacy is not good. (Gen. ii. 8.)

The Roman Catholic Church, a\ hich pretends to build everything upon Peter, does not follow him very closely, in forbidding her ministers to marry; this is certainly contrary, if not to his doctrine, at least to his example. It is also very remarkable that he who is said to have been the first bishop of Rome, was a married man. His wife also accompanied him in his missionary tonrs. (1 Cor. ix. 5.) Her name is said to have been Perpetua or Concordia. It is also related that Peter accompanied her on her way to martyrdom in Rome. Their daughter's name, the same legend says, was called Petronella.

Though Peter was born at Bethsaida, it seems that he lived at Capernaum. It is probable that he changed his residence to the latter city in order to be nearer to Christ, who had made it his principal residence. It is also highly necessary for us to change our residence from the Avorld of sin to the kingdom of grace, in order to be nearer to Christ. Peter had his wife's mother with him, thereby teaching us true filial respect and care for our parents. This aged lady Christ healed of a fever. In Peter's house was the Church, the spiritual hospital, and the divine physician with power to heal. But the news of this cure soon spread over the city and brought Christ many patients. They doubtless reasoned, " He cured such a one, w^hy not me ; such a one's friend, why not my friend ?"

After the two brothers, Peter and Andrew, had passed a day with the Lord, they took their leave -of him, and returned to their occupation of fishing, thinking, perhaps, that the Saviour had no further use for them. This must have been in the thirtieth year of the Christian era. During the end of the same year, as Jesus was standing on the shore of the lake Gennesareth,

16 THE livp:8 op^

he saw Peter and Andrew his brother, and several others, engaged in their employment of fishing. The miracle the Saviour wrought here, was no doubt designed to show them what success they should have in catching and saving souls with the net of the Gospel. Jesus now calls them, saying, ^' Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men/' They straightway left their boats and nets, and became from that time forward the constant followers and associates of the Saviour during His ministry on earth. (Luke xviii. 28). From this time forward, we see Peter on almost every occasion manifest his faith in Jesus as the true Messiah, and showing also the most extraordinary zeal in His service, to which we have many references in the Gospel.

§ 2. THE CHARACTER OF PETER.

Peter from the time he left his boat and fishing net, was not only a follower of our Lord, but the most forward and promiment among the Apostles. He is the organ, as it were, of the whole Apostolic college. He speaks and acts in their name. In his forwardness, he even undertakes to dissuade the Saviour from going the road of suffering and death, so necessary for the redemption of the world. Upon the mountain of transfiguration he is again hasty to build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elias, entirely forgetting himself, for he felt that it was " good to be here/' having only a foretaste of heavenly glory. When the Saviour was washing the feet of the disciples^ he objects and presumes to know better. What a glowing love he manifests for the Saviour^ yet what dignity and self-confidence he also assumes. And when the Saviour told his disciples, saying, ^^all ye shall be offended because of me this night/' Peter, full of self-reliance, declares that if all would forsake him, he would remain firm, and was not only ready to go with him into prison, but even unto death. What zeal he manifests in the garden of Gethsemane when he drew the sword, cutting off the ear of Malchus, instead of humbly submitting and suffering with his Lord. At the trial of the Saviour, this self-same Peter, when accused of also being a follower of Jesus, curses and swears that he knew Him not. Here comes his deep and sorrowful fall, which caused him bitter tears of repentance, by which he was deeply humbled, and at the same time taught not to put confidence in his own weak human nature, but alone in his suffering Saviour. Christ had prayed for him, that his faith might not fail, and after His resurrection, restored him again to his Apostleship. True, a solemn and earnest test preceded his restoration, by the thrice-repeated question of ^^ Simon Bar- Jonah, lovest thou me? lovest thou me more than these?'' His pride now is humbled, he says no more that he loves Him more than these, but refers the 2 matter to the Lord, as the all-knowing One, who knew that he loved Him, yet painfully conscious that he does not love Him as he should. Though several times afterwards, he showed signs of weakness and inconsistency, and thereby came in conflict with Paul, to his own humiliation, yet his whole life was a true and faithful exhibition of his love to the Saviour. He suffered much, but went fearlessly forward, till at last his love to his Divine Master was rewarded with a martyr's crown.

Peter was a man of the moment, ever ready to move in his Master's cause, of hasty action, not faultless, but of noble character. He truly loved the Saviour, and was and is still held in high veneration, as Apostle and Saint, by the Church. In a word, Peter was born a Church bishop. Each of the Apostles had his proper gift, which corresponded to his natural peculiarity. These Charisms, or gifts of the Holy Ghost, they had not all in equal measure. John seems to have possessed especially the gift of love, profound knowledge and prophecy. Peter, that of Church government and discipline, miracles, and discernment of spirits. James, the qualities of the faithful episcopal superintendence of a congregation, and silent, patient service at the altar.*

Knowing how to obey, Peter also knew how to rule, and how to move in the upbuilding of Christ's

^Pf. Schaff's Uistory of the ApostoUp Church, p. 470.

kingdom, performing well the work assigned him, namely, ^4aying the foundation of the Apostolic Church.^^ He was a most eminent Apostle of Jesus Christ, whose character shines brightly ; not a person of extraordinary pride and ambition, as represented by some, but a person of excellent endowments, both natural and gracious ; of great parts, and ready elocution. He was quick to apprehend, and bold to execute whatever he felt to be

his duty.

§ 3. HIS PRIMACY.

That Peter possessed a certain primacy or priority over the Apostles, can sooner be disputed than disproven from a true scriptural stand-point. However much men may scruple, wrangle, and reason to the contrary, yet his priority seems to be fully and clearly illustrated, by the language of our Saviour, as well as by Peter's actions and life. This primacy manifested itself after, as well as before the Resurrection, and especially on they day of Pentecost. The Lord often made use of the great Jewish festivals to bring out their full meaning and significance. These festivals looked forward to to those great Christian facts which were then transpiring. So the resurrection of Christ took place on a Jewish passover. The passover had reference to the deliverance from Egyptian bondage, which was typical of our true deliverance by Jesus Christ from the bondage of sin, Oxi days like these, the Jews from all parts of the world were assembled in Jerusalem, and the news of these occurrences were more rapidly spread and their full meaning realized.

Peter, by his life and character, possessed the requisite qualifications corresponding Avith the name the Lord had previously given him. Whatever others may have thought, he was the first to acknowledge with his whole soul and the energy of a living faith that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. In a critical hour, when many of his disciples went back, the Saviour addressed the Twelve, saying, '' Will ye also go away f^ Then Simon Peter answered for the Apostles, and said, ^^Lord, to whom shall we go ? Thou has the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God'^ (John vi. 69). Again, when the Lord asked the question, ^^ Whom do men say that I am?'^ and they said, ^^Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.^' Christ says, " But whom say ye that I am ?" Simon Peter answered and said, ^^Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.^^ Whereupon Christ called him blessed, because flesh and blood had not revealed this unto him, and said, '' I say unto thee, that thou art Peter ; and upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven^^ (Matt. xvi. 16—19).

No doubt this promise of the Lord had reference to Peter's faith, as well as to his person ; to the rock-man, as the renewed Peter in Christ, for ^^the Church of Christ is built not upon abstract confessions, but upon living persons, as the bearers of the truth.'' After the resurrection, the angel at the grave speaks to the woman, saying, " Go tell His disciples and Peter, that Jesus is risen as He had told them in Galilee."

Though Peter denied the Saviour, yet had Jesus prayed that his faith should not fail, and requested that after he was converted he should strengthen the brethren (Luke xxii. 32).

If the twelve Apostles are the founders of the Church, Jesus Christ being the chief Corner Stone, it is especially true of Peter, the representative head and leader. For, before the resurrection, Peter stands at the head of the Apostolic college, he is it also very plainly afterwards, until the appearance of Paul. The Acts of the Apostles are clear on this head. He is also chief actor in the election of Matthias, who was to fill the place made vacant by Judas (Acts 1st ch.). On the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church, he is again the leading actor. And when the house of Israel is charged with crucifying Jesus, who had risen from the dead, and was now both Lord and Christ, the people '' were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do ?" Peter is again the speaker, and replies, that spiritual regeneration is the door by which salvation is obtained. For he said, " Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye sliall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost/^ For the promise of this regenerative gift is unto you and unto your children, and to all who may be called to the knowledge of God. (Acts ii. 37 — 39.) In the healing of the lame man, who was daily carried to the beautiful gate of the temple to ask alms, Peter acts the physician. (Acts iii. 6.) In the infliction of the divine punishment on Ananias and his wife, Saphira, he pronounces the death penalty. (Acts v. 1 — 10.) It is Peter who called the beloved Dorcas to life again. (Acts ix. 39 — 43.) It was he, more than any other, who extended the Church in Judea, and laid the foundation for the Gentile mission, by baptizing the uncircumcised Cornelius. (Acts xx.)

The most reasonable supposition is, that there was an intentional preference given to Simon Cephas, on the score of eminence for genius, zeal, knowledge, prudence, or faith, which fitted him for taking the lead of the chief ministers of the Messiah He is also named jirsty in the list of Matthew, which is hardly unmeaningly applied. That Simon Peter was the first or chief of the Apostles, appears from the uniform precedence with which his name is honored on all occasions in the Scriptures, where the order in which names are mentioned, could be made to depend on rank. We have also the universal testimony of the Fathers, that Peter was the chief. Besides, this Avas the general impression entertained throughout the Christian world, in all ages since his time.*

In short, down to the Apostolic Council or Synod, held at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, Peter is the most important personage in the Church. He maintains the superiority so clearly assigned him by the prophecy of Christ, and confirmed by history, that nothing but blind bigotry can deny it. After the Council of Jerusalem, he was with Paul at Antioch ; after which no mention is made of Peter, either in the Acts or Epistles of the other Apostles.

Peter was one of the three who witnessed the resurrection of Jairus^ daughter, and also one of the three on the mount of transfiguration; and one of the three with whom the Saviour retired to pray in the garden of Gethsemane.

Moreover, the Lord did not give him this suprenaacy to exercise a spiritual Lordship or tyranny over his brethren in office, neither does history mention any ^Bacon's Lives ol: the Apostles, pp. 46, 47.

trace of such in his life. (1 Pet. v. 3.) Though he was positive and firm in the upbuilding of the Saviour^s kingdom, he never stooped so low as to persecute with fire and sword, those who somewhat differed from him, either in doctrine or practice; neither did Christ ever communicate such power to any one man, or set of men. Punishment was always, if any was deserved, referred to the Lord, even by the angels themselves, who are certainly holier and purer than any self-styled infallible man, whose spirit of persecution always had more and savored more of the infernal regions, than of the Saviour and of heaven. The peculiar position assigned to Peter had, no doubt, special reference to the laying of the foundation of the Apostolic Church, by the continuation of which the life of Christ is made to flow over into all her members, to the end of the world.

What an immense difference ^^ between the Galilean fisherman, who, as a common presbyter (1 Pet. v. 1), not as a Lord over the flock, but as its example (verse 3), travels from place to place, in poor raiment, accompanied by his wife (1 Cor. ix. 5), to proclaim the simple word of the cross to the Jews and Gentiles ; and a Gregory VIL, with his unyielding hierarchic pride, and his inexorable anathemas directed against all married priests as whoremongers and adulterers ; or an Innocent III., who, arrayed in gorgeous pontificial attire, and bearing the triple crown upon his head, reverently encompassed with different patriarchs, seventy-one metropolitans and superior prelates, four hundred and twelve bishops, nine hundred abbots and priors, the lights of learning, and the ambassadors of almost all the princes of Europe, at the fourth Lataran Council, as the holy and infallible father of the whole family of Christian nations,'' as the vicegerent of Christ upon earth.*

§ 4. THE EPISTLES OF PETER.

We have two Epistles from this Apostle, bearing the name of First and Second Epistles of Peter. Soon after the Council of Jerusalem, we find him at Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. It is highly probable that Peter was nowhere permanently settled, but as an Apostle continued to make missionary journeys.

The first Epistle he wrote from Babylon ; it is not absolutely certain which he meant, whether the ancient city, then destroyed, or heathen Rome; likely the latter city, which was at that time, a true Babylon in wickedness. In this Epistle he explains more fully the doctrines of Christianity to the newly-converted Jews, trying to persuade them to a holy conversation, and a faithful discharge of all Christian duties, whereby they would secure their own peace, and disprove all the slanders of their enemies; and, finally, encourages them to patience and perseverance in the faith, lest the perse- *Dr. Schaff's Historical Development, pp. 42, 43.

cution coming, would cause them to apostatize from Christ and His Gospel. This Epistle is peculiarly remarkable for the sweetness, gentleness, and humble love, with which it is written. It was written about A. D. 65. In the second Epistle, which he is supposed to have written about the year A. D. 67, he exhorts them to grow in grace and holiness, to the producing of good works, and to be constant in the faith of Christ. He warns them of the coming of false teachers, whom many would follow to their own speedy destruction. He also reminds them of the general judgment from which the wicked cannot escape, and lastly, exhorts them to all holiness of life, so as to be ready for the second coming

of Christ.

§ 5. PETER AT ROME.

It is the universal tradition that Peter labored last in Rome, and there, also, suffered martyrdom with Paul under Nero. The place where he wrote his first Epistle is Babylon, from whence he salutes the brethren. We have, also, the unanimous testimony of the ancient Church that he was, for some time, in Rome. This is the only place named where he is said to have suffered, and no other Church ever laid claim to this honor. It is also the unanimous testimony of the Church fathers that Peter preached and suffered in Rome. The length of time he labored there is not fully established. Tradition says that he was there twenty-five years, which is, however^ very improbable. But that he was there, and died there, is the united testimony of all Christian writers of ancient times.

The time he came to Rome is not fully determined, either by history or tradition, but he can hardly have been there more than a few years. It is not to our credit to deny the truth of events, ascertained by early and well attested tradition, whatever use is made of such facts. He is supposed to have preached to the Jews in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia and Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he suffered martyrdom, at the advanced age of about 70 years, having been a disciple about 37 years. He is said to have been crucified, with the head downwards, under Nero. This bloody tyrant was himself accused of burning the city of Rome, but in order to screen himself from the crime he charged upon the Christians the deed, and ordered that bloody persecution, with the most savage and unsparing cruelty. Tacitus, the Roman historian, says that Rome was burned in the year A. D. 64. And tradition says that Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom together at Rome, at about the same time. But the most reliable investigation fixes the date of St. PauPs martyrdom at Rome in the Spring of A. D. 68. And if the two Apostles suffered martyrdom together, and at the same time, then Peter must have died in the year A. D. 68, and thus after the destruction of the city. There is also a tradition that Peter made his escape from prison, trying to save his life by flight, but meeting the Lord bearing His cross, he asked, ^^Lord, whither art thou going?'^ The Lord replied: "I am going to Rome, to be crucified again /^ Peter hastily returned and met his death with joy. This tradition still lives in the mouth of the people of Pome.