Thematic Bible: What the disciples are


Thematic Bible



You are therefore no longer mere foreigners or persons excluded from civil rights. On the contrary you share citizenship with God's people and are members of His family. You are a building which has been reared on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus Himself,

The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and engraved upon them were twelve names--the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Seeing the multitude of people, Jesus went up the Hill. There He seated Himself, and when His disciples came to Him, He proceeded to teach them, and said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. read more.
"Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied. "Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized as sons of God. "Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens. "Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake. Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted. "*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by. *You* are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a hill-top. Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.

While He was still addressing the people His mother and His brothers were standing on the edge of the crowd desiring to speak to Him. So some one told Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and desire to speak to you." "Who is my mother?" He said to the man; "and who are my brothers?" read more.
And pointing to His disciples He added, "See here are my mother and my brothers. To obey my Father who is in Heaven--that is to be my brother and my sister and my mother."

"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah," said Jesus; "for mere human nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven. And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it.

By this time His mother and His brothers arrive, and standing outside they send a message to Him to call Him. Now a crowd was sitting round Him; so they tell Him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, inquiring for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" He replied. read more.
And, fixing His eyes on the people who were sitting round Him in a circle, He said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For wherever there is one who has been obedient to God, there is my brother--my sister--and my mother."

God, it seems to me, has exhibited us Apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; for we have come to be a spectacle to all creation--alike to angels and to men. We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish"; you, as Christians, are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts. To this very moment we endure both hunger and thirst, with scanty clothing and many a blow. read more.
Homes we have none. Wearily we toil, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it patiently; when slandered, we try to conciliate. We have come to be regarded as the mere dirt and filth of the world--the refuse of the universe, even to this hour.