But we must now return to the history of our apostle.
In the fifteenth chapter of the Acts, after an absence of about five years, Peter again appears; but during that time we know nothing of his abode or of his work. He takes an active part hi the assembly at Jerusalem, and seems to have retained his original place among the apostles and elders.
Soon after this, as we loam from Gal. 2 he paid a visit to Antioch. But notwithstanding the decision of the apostles and Church at Jerusalem, a characteristic weakness of Peter’s betrays him into an act of dissimulation. It is one thing to settle a question in principle, it is quite another to carry it out in practice. Peter had actually stated in the assembly before them all, that the gospel which Paul had preached, by the revelation given to him, was no less a blessing to the Jew than to the Gentile. And while alone at Antioch, he acted on this principle, walking in the liberty of the heavenly truth and eating with the Gentiles. But when certain Jewish minded Christians came down from James, he no longer dared to use this liberty—“He withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.” “What a poor thing is man!” exclaims one. “And we are weak in proportion to our importance before men; when we are nothing, we can do all things, as far as human opinion is concerned......Paul, energetic and faithful, through grace, alone remains upright; and he rebukes Peter before them all.”
From this time, A.D. 49 or 50, his name does not again appear in the Acts of the Apostles; and we have no certain knowledge of the sphere of his labors. But, as he inscribes his first epistle to the Hebrew Christians, “scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” he is supposed to have labored in these countries. His second epistle is of a much later date, and must have been written shortly before his death. This we learn from what he says in the first chapter: “Knowing that shortly I must put off tins my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.” See John 21:18, 1918Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:18‑19).
The exact date of Peter’s visit to Rome has been a subject of great controversy between Catholic and Protestant writers in all ages. But it may now be considered as a settled point, that he did not visit that city till near the end of his life. The date of his martyrdom is also uncertain. Most probably it took place about A.D. 67 or 68, and about the seventieth year of his age. The burning of Rome by Nero is dated by Tacitus, about the month of July 64. The persecution against the Christians broke out soon after; and it was under this persecution that our apostle was honored with the crown of martyrdom.
He was sentenced to be crucified, as the most severe and shameful death. But when he looked on the cross, he entreated the favor of the officers that he might not be crucified in the ordinary way, but that he might suffer with his head downwards: affirming that he was unworthy to suffer in the same posture as his blessed Lord and Master had done before him. His request being granted, he was crucified with his head downwards. Whether this be a fact or a mere legend, it well agrees with the fervent temperament and the deep humility of the great apostle.
In following the catalog already given, we next notice the apostle Andrew. The sacred historian has been very full and copious in describing the acts of Peter, but very sparing in Ids accounts of his brother Andrew. He was brought up with Peter to his father’s trade, and continued at his occupation until he was called by the Lord to become a “fisher of men.”
Andrew, like other young men of Galilee, had become a disciple of John the Baptist. But on hearing his master a second time speak of Jesus as the Lamb of God, He left John to follow Jesus. He was, immediately after this, the means of bringing his brother Peter to his new master. So far, he has the honor of being the first of the apostles who preached Christ. (John 1) He comes before us in the sixth and in the twelfth of John, and in the thirteenth of Mark; but beyond these few scattered notices, scripture relates nothing concerning him. His name does not appear in the Acts of the Apostles, except in the first chapter.
Conjecture and tradition have said many things about him, but it is only of fairly established facts that we would speak. He is said to have preached in Scythia, and to have traveled over Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, and to have suffered martyrdom at Patrae in Achaia. His cross, it is said, was formed of two pieces of wood crossing each other in the middle, in the form of the letter X, hence usually known by the name of St. Andrew’s cross. He died praying and exhorting the people to constancy and perseverance in the faith. The year in which he suffered is uncertain.
From the two brothers, Peter and Andrew, we now proceed to the two brothers, James and John. The four had also been partners in business. And first in order we notice James. Zebedee and his two sons, James and John, were following their usual occupation on the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus passed that way. Seeing the two brothers, “He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.” Peter and Andrew were also there. It was on this occasion that the Lord desired Peter to launch out into deeper water, and try another cast for fish. Peter inclines to reason: they had been very unsuccessful the previous night. Nevertheless, at the Lord’s word, the net was let down. “And when they had this clone, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake.” Astonished and overwhelmed at this draft, Peter beckoned to his partners to come and help in landing the fish caught.
Full conviction was now wrought in the minds of those four young men, that Jesus was the true Messiah. They may have had doubts before, they have none now. At the call of Jesus they leave all, and become, once and forever, His disciples. Henceforward, they were to become “ fishers of men.” In every list we have of the apostles, these four noble men are placed first; they stand at the head of the twelve throughout. Matt. 4:17-2017From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matthew 4:17‑20); Mark 1:16-2016Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:16‑20); Luke 5:1-111And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:1‑11).
This is the call of James to the discipleship; about a year after this he is called to the apostleship with his eleven brethren. Matt. 10; Mark 3; Luke 6; Acts 1 Peter, James, and John, and occasionally Andrew, were always the most intimate companions of the blessed Lord. The first three only were admitted to the raising of Jairus’ daughter. (Mark 5; Luke 8) The same three apostles were alone permitted to be present at the transfiguration. (Matt. 17; Mark 9; Luke 9) It was the same three that witnessed His agony in Gethsemane. (Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22) But the four, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, are joined together when they ask the Lord privately about the destruction of the temple. Mark 13.
Like the change in Peter’s name, or the addition to it, the sons of Zebedee are surnamed Boanerges, or, “the sons of thunder.” Great boldness and faithfulness may have singled out James to Herod, as the first to be seized and silenced. It is not a little remarkable that “the son of thunder” and “the rock-man” are the first to be apprehended. But James has the honor to be the first of the apostles that received the crown of martyrdom, A.D. 44. Peter was rescued by a miracle.
A mother’s jealousy and her sons’ ambition lead Salome to ask for very distinguished places in the kingdom for her two sons. The Lord allowed the petition to pass with a very mild reproof, but told the brothers that they should drink of His cup, and be baptized with His baptism. James was early called upon to realize this prediction. After the ascension he is seen in company with the other apostles in Acts 1. And then he disappears from the sacred narrative, until his apprehension and death in Acts 12. And there we are simply told, in the brief language of the inspired historian, that Herod the king lulled James the brother of John with the sword.
Clement of Alexandria, relates a tradition concerning James’ martyrdom, which is not an unlikely thing to have occurred. As he was led forth to the place of martyrdom, the soldier or officer that had guarded him to the tribunal, or rather his accuser, was so moved by the courage and bold confession of James at the time of his trial, that he repented of what he had done, and came and fell down at the apostle’s feet, and begged forgiveness for what he had said against him. James, after a little surprise at the thing, raised him up, embraced and kissed Him; and said, “Peace, my son, peace be to thee, and the pardon of thy faults.” Whereupon, before all, he publicly professed himself to be a Christian, and so both were beheaded at the same time. Thus fell James, the apostolic proto-martyr, cheerfully taking that cup which he had long since told his Lord that he was ready to drink of.
John—the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the younger brother of James. Though his father was a fisherman, it appears from the gospel narrative, that they were in good circumstances. Some of the ancients speak of the family as wealthy, and even as nobly connected. But these traditions are not reconcilable with the facts of scripture. We read, however, of their “hired servants,” and they may have owned more vessels than one. And Salome, we doubt not, was one of those honored women who ministered to the Lord of her substance. And John had a house of his own. (Luke 8:33And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (Luke 8:3); John 19:2727Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:27).) We may safely infer from these facts, that their position was considerably above poverty. As many have gone to extremes in speaking of the apostles as poor and illiterate, we think it well to notice the few hints of scripture on these subjects.
Of the character of Zebedee, we know nothing. He made no objections to his sons leaving him at the call of the Messiah. But we hear no more of him afterward. We frequently find the mother in company with her sons, but no mention of the father. The probability is that he died soon after the call of his sons.
The evangelist Mark, in enumerating the twelve apostles, chapter 3:17; when he mentions James and John, says that our Lord “surnamed them Boanerges, which is, Sons of Thunder.” What our Lord particularly intended to convey in this title, is not easily determined. Conjectures there have been many. Some suppose that it was because these two brothers were of a more furious and resolute disposition, and of a more fierce and fiery temper than the rest of the apostles. But we see no ground for such a conjecture in the gospel history. Doubtless, on one or two occasions their zeal was intemperate, but that was before they knew better. More probably our Lord so surnamed them, as prophetic of their burning zeal in openly and boldly proclaiming the great truths of the gospel, after they became fully acquainted with them. Certain we are, that John in company with Peter, in the early chapters of the Acts, displayed a courage that feared no threatenings, and was daunted by no opposition.
John is supposed to have been the youngest of all the apostles; and, judging from his writings, he appears to have been possessed of a disposition singularly affectionate, mild, and amiable. He was characterized as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” On various occasions he was admitted to free and ultimate intercourse with the Lord. John 13.
“What distinguished John,” says Neander, “was the union of the most opposite qualities, as we have often observed in great instruments of the advancement of the kingdom of God—the union of a disposition inclined to silent and deep meditation, with an ardent zeal, though not impelling to great and diversified activity in the outward world; not a passionate zeal, such as we suppose filled the breast of Paul before his conversion. But there was also a love, not soft and yielding, but one seizing with all its might, and firmly retaining the object to which it was directed—vigorously repelling whatever would disgrace this object, or attempt to wrest it from its possession; and this was his leading characteristic.”
As the history of John is so intimately connected with the histories of Peter and James, which we have already gone over, we may now be very brief. These three names are seldom separated in the gospel history. But there is one scene hi which John stands alone, and which ought to be noted. He was the only apostle who followed Jesus to the place of His crucifixion. And there he was specially honored with the regard and confidence of his Master. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:20, 2720This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. (John 19:20)
27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:27).
After the ascension of Christ, and the descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, John became one of the chief apostles of the circumcision. But his ministry goes clown to the end of the first century. With his death the apostolic age naturally closes.
There is a widely spread and generally received tradition, that John remained in Judea till after the death of the virgin Mary. The date of this event is uncertain. But soon after he proceeded to Asia Minor. Here he planted and watched over several churches in different cities, but made Ephesus his center. Thence he was banished to the Isle of Patmos, towards the close of Domitian’s reign. There he wrote the Revelation. (chap. 1:9.) On his liberation from exile, by the accession of Nerva to the imperial throne, John returned to Ephesus, where he wrote his gospel and epistles. He died about A.D. 100, in the third year of the emperor Trajan, and about one hundred years of age.
From the many traditions about John himself, we select only one, which we think the most interesting, and the most likely to be true. As one who was unwearied in his love and care for the souls of men, he was deeply grieved by the apostasy of a young man in whom he had taken a special interest. When revisiting the place where he left him, he heard that he had joined a band of robbers and had become their captain. His love for him was so great that he determined to find him out. He hastened to the retreat of the robbers, suffered himself to be seized, and begged to be taken into their captain’s presence. When he saw the venerable appearance of the aged apostle, his conscience was awakened. The recollection of earlier days was more than he could stand, and he fled in consternation from his presence. But John, full of paternal love, hastened after him. He entreated him to repent and return to the Church, and encouraged him by the assurance of the forgiveness of his sins in the name of the Lord Jesus. His marvelous affection for the young man, and his deep concern for his soul, completely overcame him. He repented, returned, was restored, and afterward became a worthy member of the christian community. May we seek to do likewise in restoring backsliders!