Simon Peter (Cephas)
Identity and Calling
- Original name: Simon son of John
• Renamed Peter (Cephas, meaning “rock”) by Jesus (John 1:42)
• Fisherman from Galilee
• One of the first disciples called
• Member of Jesus’ inner circle with James and John
After the Resurrection
- Jesus appeared personally to Peter and restored him after his denial (Luke 24:34; John 21:15–19)
• Emerged as leader of the early Church in Jerusalem
• Preached boldly at Pentecost, resulting in about 3,000 conversions (Acts 2:14–41)
• Spoke on behalf of the apostles before Jewish authorities (Acts 4:8–20)
• Instrumental in opening the Gospel to the Gentiles through the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10)
• Traveled widely through Judea, Lydda, Joppa, and surrounding regions (Acts 9:32ff.)
• Traditionally accepted as author of 1 and 2 Peter, written to encourage persecuted believers
Death and Martyrdom
- Early Christian sources consistently place Peter’s later ministry and death in Rome
• Clement of Rome (c. AD 96), Ignatius of Antioch, Dionysius of Corinth, Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius all affirm his martyrdom
• Executed under Emperor Nero, likely between AD 64 and 67
• Crucified, according to widespread tradition
• Acts of Peter (late 2nd century) records that Peter requested crucifixion upside down out of humility
• Archaeological excavations beneath St Peter’s Basilica uncovered a 1st–2nd century veneration site associated with his tomb
• Sean McDowell rates Peter’s martyrdom as very probably true to virtually certain
Apologetic Significance
- Transformed from denying Christ to boldly proclaiming the resurrection
• Persisted despite imprisonment, threats, and eventual execution
• Had nothing to gain socially, politically, or materially
• Demonstrates sincerity of eyewitness belief
• “We did not follow cleverly devised stories, but we were eyewitnesses.” (2 Peter 1:16, NIV)
Andrew
Identity and Calling
- Brother of Simon Peter
• From Bethsaida
• Former disciple of John the Baptist
• One of the first to follow Jesus (John 1:40–41)
• Known for bringing others to Christ quietly and faithfully
After the Resurrection
- Witnessed the risen Christ
• Remained faithful to the Great Commission
• Early Church tradition places his missionary work in Asia Minor, Scythia (Black Sea region), Thrace, and Greece
Death and Martyrdom
- Martyred in Patras, Greece
• Crucified
• Later tradition describes an X-shaped cross (detail appears mediaeval).
• Early sources report he continued teaching while on the cross
• Eusebius, citing Origen, affirms his martyrdom
• McDowell rates the core martyrdom claim as historically credible – more probable than not
Apologetic Significance
- No record of denial or retreat
• Died for what he knew to be true
• Demonstrates quiet courage and unwavering conviction
James, son of Zebedee
Identity and Calling
- Son of Zebedee
• Brother of John
• Fisherman from Galilee
• Member of Jesus’ inner circle
• Nicknamed “Boanerges” (sons of thunder) (Mark 3:17)
After the Resurrection
- Witnessed the risen Christ
• Preached in Jerusalem during the earliest days of the Church
Death and Martyrdom
- First of the Twelve to be martyred
• Executed by sword under Herod Agrippa I around AD 44
• Recorded directly in Scripture (Acts 12:2)
• Account is early, simple, and unembellished
• Universally accepted as historical
• McDowell rates this martyrdom as historically certain
Apologetic Significance
- Shows persecution began very early, within a decade of the resurrection
• No time for legend development
• Confirms sincerity of eyewitness proclamation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter
https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/november-30-st-andrew-apostle/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-James-son-of-Zebedee
Add comment
Comments