Thomas (Didymus)
Identity and Calling
- Known as “the Twin”
• Honest and direct temperament
After the Resurrection
- Initially doubted
• Personally encountered the risen Christ
• Confessed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
Missionary Work
- Preached in Parthia, Persia, and India
• Founded Christian communities in South India
Death and Martyrdom
- Martyred by spear in India around AD 72
• Supported by early Syriac traditions
• Archaeological evidence includes early crosses dating from the 2nd–4th century
• McDowell rates this as more probable than not
Apologetic Significance
- Doubt transformed into conviction through direct encounter
• Died for what he personally verified
Matthew (Levi)
Identity and Calling
- Former tax collector
• Left his profession to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9)
After the Resurrection
- Preached primarily among Jews
• Traditionally author of the Gospel of Matthew
Missionary Work
- Traditions place him in Ethiopia, Persia, or Arabia
Death and Martyrdom
- Conflicting accounts
• Late traditions claim martyrdom
• McDowell rates as possible but uncertain
James, son of Alphaeus (James the Less)
Identity and Calling
- Distinguished from James son of Zebedee
• Quiet and faithful apostle
After the Resurrection
- Served in Jerusalem
• Sometimes associated with James the Just
Death and Martyrdom
- Tradition claims he was thrown from the Temple, stoned, and beaten
• Sources are late
• McDowell rates as uncertain
Jude (Thaddaeus)
Identity and Calling
- Also called Judas son of James
• Not Iscariot
After the Resurrection
- Missionary work in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia
• Often associated with Simon the Zealot
Death and Martyrdom
- Tradition: martyred in Persia
• Methods vary (beaten, axed, speared)
• McDowell rates as uncertain
Writings
- Traditionally author of the Epistle of Jude
Simon the Zealot
Identity and Calling
- “Zealot” likely indicates strong devotion
After the Resurrection
- Missionary activity in Syria, Persia, possibly North Africa
• Often paired with Jude
Death and Martyrdom
- Traditions vary widely
• Possible martyrdom by beating, crucifixion, or sawing
• McDowell rates as uncertain
Matthias
Identity and Calling
- Chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:21–26)
• Witness from Jesus’ baptism to resurrection
After the Resurrection
- Served alongside the apostles
• Traditions place ministry in Judea, Cappadocia, or the Caucasus
Death and Martyrdom
- Conflicting traditions: stoning or beheading
• No strong early evidence
• McDowell rates as uncertain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_the_Apostle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_the_Apostle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James,_son_of_Alphaeus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_the_Apostle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_the_Zealot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle
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