Topical Encyclopedia The apostles, chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and messengers, are often depicted in the Gospels as being slow to fully comprehend and accept Jesus as the Messiah. This hesitancy is a recurring theme in the New Testament, highlighting the human struggle to grasp divine truths and the gradual unfolding of spiritual understanding.Initial Calling and Understanding The apostles were called from various walks of life, including fishermen, a tax collector, and a zealot. Their initial encounters with Jesus were marked by awe and curiosity, yet their understanding of His true identity as the Messiah was limited. In John 1:41, Andrew tells his brother Simon Peter, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated as Christ). Despite this early declaration, the depth of their understanding was superficial, as evidenced by their subsequent actions and questions. Misunderstandings and Doubts Throughout Jesus' ministry, the apostles frequently misunderstood His teachings and mission. In Mark 8:29-33, Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, yet moments later, he rebukes Jesus for speaking of His impending suffering and death. Jesus responds sharply, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men" (Mark 8:33). This incident illustrates the apostles' struggle to reconcile their expectations of a triumphant, earthly Messiah with the reality of Jesus' sacrificial mission. In John 14:8-9, Philip requests, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus replies, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father." This exchange underscores the apostles' difficulty in fully grasping Jesus' divine nature and unity with the Father. Fear and Lack of Faith The apostles' slowness to receive Jesus as the Messiah is also evident in their reactions to His miracles and teachings. In Mark 4:40, after calming the storm, Jesus asks them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Their fear and lack of faith reveal an incomplete understanding of Jesus' authority over creation and His identity as the Son of God. Similarly, in Matthew 14:31, after Peter attempts to walk on water and begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out and catches him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This incident highlights the apostles' wavering faith and their struggle to fully trust in Jesus' power and identity. Post-Resurrection Realization It was not until after Jesus' resurrection that the apostles began to fully comprehend His messianic role. In Luke 24:25-27, Jesus, speaking to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, says, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?" He then explains the Scriptures concerning Himself, opening their eyes to the fulfillment of prophecy. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost further solidified their understanding and empowered them to boldly proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. Acts 2:36 records Peter's declaration, "Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Conclusion The apostles' journey from doubt and misunderstanding to faith and proclamation serves as a testament to the transformative power of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Their initial slowness to receive Jesus as the Messiah underscores the profound mystery of His identity and mission, a mystery that continues to invite believers into deeper understanding and faith. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 14:33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth you are the Son of God. Nave's Topical Index Library Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus. Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee. The First Evangelists The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby. "He Ordained Twelve" The Great Confession - the Great Commission - the Great ... Paul in Ephesus. 1 John ii. 18 The Last Journey from Galilee The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ... Resources Does the Bible record the death of the apostles? How did each of the apostles die? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org What are the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Apostles: A Title Distinguishing the Twelve Disciples Apostles: Authority of Commission of, Above Apostles: Duties of Commission of, Above, Apostles: Fail to Comprehend the Nature and Mission of Jesus Apostles: Miraculous Power Given To Apostles: Moral State of, Before Pentecost Apostles: Slow to Receive Jesus, As Messiah The Apostles were Hated by the World The Apostles were not of the World The Apostles were Unlearned Men The Apostles: Called by Christ The Apostles: Called by The Holy Spirit The Apostles: Christ Always Present With The Apostles: Christ Pre-Eminently Called "The Apostle" The Apostles: Empowered to Work Miracles The Apostles: Equal Authority Given to Each of The Apostles: Guided by the Spirit Into all Truth The Apostles: Humility Urged Upon The Apostles: Instructed by the Spirit to Answer Adversaries The Apostles: Mutual Love Urged Upon The Apostles: Ordained by Christ The Apostles: Persecutions and Sufferings of The Apostles: Received Their Title from Christ The Apostles: Saw Christ in the Flesh The Apostles: Selected from Obscure Stations The Apostles: Self-Denial Urged Upon The Apostles: Sent First to the House of Israel The Apostles: Sent to Preach the Gospel to all Nations The Apostles: Specially Devoted to the office of the Ministry The Apostles: The Holy Spirit Given To The Apostles: Warned Against a Timid Profession of Christ The Apostles: Witnesses of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ Related Terms |
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