The Twelve, also known as the Twelve Apostles, are an important group of individuals in Christianity. They were chosen by Jesus Christ himself to be his closest followers and to spread his teachings throughout the world. But why were they called the Twelve? In this blog post, we’ll explore the origins of this name and its significance.
The term “Twelve” refers to the group of twelve men whom Jesus chose to be his closest disciples. According to the Gospel accounts, these twelve men were Simon Peter, James the son of Zebedee, John the brother of James, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
The number twelve holds special significance in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there were twelve tribes of Israel, and in the New Testament, there were twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. In addition, the number twelve is often associated with completeness and authority.
The Twelve were chosen by Jesus to represent the twelve tribes of Israel and to spread his teachings throughout the world. They were given the authority to perform miracles, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They were also instructed to baptize new believers and to teach them everything that Jesus had commanded.
Despite their importance, the Twelve were not perfect individuals. They were human beings with flaws and weaknesses. Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, betrayed Jesus and later took his own life. Peter, one of the closest disciples, denied Jesus three times before his crucifixion.
Despite their imperfections, the Twelve played a critical role in the establishment of Christianity. They spread the message of Jesus throughout the world, establishing churches and converting countless individuals to the faith. Their legacy continues to inspire Christians today, reminding us of the power of faith, love, and sacrifice.
In conclusion, the Twelve were called by this name because they were a group of twelve men chosen by Jesus Christ himself to be his closest followers and to spread his teachings throughout the world. The number twelve holds special significance in the Bible, and the Twelve were given the authority to perform miracles and to teach others everything that Jesus had commanded. Despite their imperfections, they played a critical role in the establishment of Christianity and continue to inspire Christians today.
