Paul calls Jesus the Son of God, the Messiah, The Lord, the Anointed One, the Savior, the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, Emmanuel, and the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. He also refers to Jesus as a High Priest, a Rock, a Light, the Word, the Alpha and Omega, the Cornerstone, and the Vine.
Paul also refers to Jesus as a Shepherd, the Passover Lamb, the Closed Door, and the Living One. Paul highlights Jesus’ victory over death and his victory of sin offering himself as a sacrifice on the cross.
Paul stresses Jesus’ role as our advocate, mediator and intercessor before God as well as affirms his promises as the Judge and Ruler of the Universe. Paul also acknowledges Jesus’s power of resurrection, ascension, and return, as well as his persistence in saving faith and blameless living before God.
What was Apostle Paul’s calling?
Apostle Paul was a prominent figure in the early Christian church and is often referred to as the Apostle of the Gentiles due to his extensive missionary work. His calling was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, preach the doctrine of Christianity, teach the people the precepts of faith and opposing false teachings.
He was deeply devoted to his calling, traveling and writing letters to spread the gospel across the Mediterranean world.
Paul was born in Tarsus, Cilicia and was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus when he encountered the glorified Jesus Christ. From then on, Paul traveled extensively, visiting major centers of the Roman Empire, including Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth and Ephesus.
He was a very persuasive teacher, often persuading people to believe in Jesus and become followers of Christianity.
Paul was a tireless missionary; he divided his journeys into three separate mission trips during which he visited numerous cities, preaching in the temple and in public institutions. His letters to churches that he had founded during his missions served to encourage the local congregations to adhere to the teachings of Jesus.
Paul’s letters further cements his responsibility in the Christian mission. He wrote a total of 13 letters – commonly referred to as the Pauline Epistles – which were included in the New Testament of the Bible.
In summary, Apostle Paul’s calling was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to teach people the doctrine of Christianity. His tireless missionary work and his letters to the newly established churches were essential for the early spread of Christianity in the Mediterranean world.
Why did they change Jesus name?
The name Jesus is derived from the Greek name Iesous, which was the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Yeshua, or Joshua. Although the name Yeshua has been commonly used in modern times, it was not the name that Jesus was using during his lifetime.
It is believed that the name change from Yeshua to Jesus was most likely due to the influence of Greek culture and language, as there are no recorded mentions of the name Jesus in any of the oldest Hebrew manuscripts.
This change allowed for a smooth transition of the name from Hebrew to Greek, a language which was renowned and spoken by many at the time of Christ.
The name Jesus is also very significant because it translates to mean ‘Yahweh saves’ or ‘God saves’. This reflects the Christian narrative of Christ’s mission on Earth, in which he serves as a redeemer and savior to all people of faith.
Thus, by changing his name to Jesus, it was perhaps a way of symbolically emphasizing his role as the Savior of mankind.
In summary, it is believed that the name change from Yeshua to Jesus was largely due to the influence of Greek culture and language, as well as to emphasize Jesus’s mission on Earth as the Savior of mankind.
What were the nicknames of the 12 apostles?
The 12 apostles of Jesus Christ each had their own individual nicknames or titles. Some of these titles were given to them by Jesus himself, while others are more symbolic or derived from Biblical accounts.
The 12 apostles were Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the Lesser, Judas Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
Simon Peter was often given the title “the Rock” by Jesus for his unshakeable faith and loyalty. Andrew was known as the “First-Called” as he was the first of the apostles to follow Jesus. James and John were referred to as the “Sons of Thunder” for their outspoken and passionate nature.
Philip was often called the “Beloved Disciple” due to his close relationship with Jesus. Bartholomew was sometimes referred to simply as “Nathanael”, while Thomas was known as “Doubting Thomas” because of his skepticism.
Matthew was usually referred to as “The Tax Collector”, in reference to his profession prior to joining the apostles.
James the Lesser was often called “James the Just” and Judas Thaddeus was referred to as “Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus” as his true name was uncertain. Simon the Zealot was also known as “Simon the Canaanite”, while Judas Iscariot was known as “the Betrayer” due to his role in the crucifixion.
What name did Jesus use for God?
Jesus often referred to God as either “Father” or “Abba.” “Father” is the literal translation of the Aramaic term “Abba,” which Jesus often used when referring to God. Interestingly, this term was indicative of the close-knit, familial relationship between Jesus and God, which can be seen in passages of scripture like Mark 14:36 and Romans 8:15.
It is also worth noting that Jesus was not afraid to challenge tradition and convention when speaking about God. In passages like John 8:56 and John 16:26-27, Jesus refers to God by several other names, including “most High,” “Holy One of Israel,” and “I AM.” Thus, not only was Jesus indicative of the intimate relationship between himself and God, but he also broke down traditional barriers to understanding the Lord by using different terminology for his Father.
Was Paul a disciple of Jesus?
Yes, Paul was a disciple of Jesus. Paul, originally known as Saul, joined the disciples after his conversion on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19). Even before meeting Jesus, Saul had zealously persecuted the early Church.
After his conversion and becoming a disciple of Jesus, Paul wrote letters that make up most of the New Testament. Paul wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament, making him one of the most prolific Christian authors of all time.
In his writings, Paul argues that Jesus was the true messiah, crucified and risen from the dead. Furthermore, Paul opened up the good news to gentiles, recognizing that the gospel of Jesus was for all people and not just the Jews.
Thus, Paul was an ardent and passionate disciple of Jesus, transforming the spread of the Christian faith.
What’s the difference between a disciple and an Apostle?
A disciple and an apostle are both key members of the early Jesus movement and Christian tradition, but they have distinct roles and distinctions.
A disciple, or student, is someone who follows the teachings of a religious person, such as Jesus. They are followers of Jesus and strive to live out the principles and teachings found in the Bible. Disciples are known for their faithfulness to the Lord’s commands and strive to learn from their teacher in order to become more like him.
An apostle is someone chosen and sent out by Jesus for a particular mission. This usually involves evangelizing, determining church doctrine, and leading the church. An apostle is seen as an ambassador of Christ and is seen as responsible for bringing the gospel to the world.
Apostles are called to lead the church both spiritually and practically.
The main difference between a disciple and an apostle is that a disciple follows Jesus while an apostle is sent out by Jesus. A disciple is a student and a follower, while an apostle is a leader and a missionary (sent one).
While they are two different roles, they work together in the church as discipleship and apostleship are essential for building up the church.
How many apostles did Jesus have and their names?
The Bible states that Jesus had twelve apostles, as it is written in Mark 3:16-19, “And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and He’s commanded them to have authority to cast out the demons.
And He has called those twelve apostles: Simon, who is also called Peter; Andrew, James the son of Zebedee; John, Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon, the Zealot; Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Him.”
Did Jesus change Paul’s name?
No, Jesus did not change Paul’s name. Paul’s name was given to him at birth and was known as Saul. After his conversion experience, Saul changed his name to Paul, as it was a more fitting name to signify his new found faith.
The Bible doesn’t indicate that Jesus ever referred to Saul as Paul. Paul himself made the decision to change his name, though it is possible that Jesus inspired it. Later in life, Paul even referred to himself as Paul and his earlier name, Saul, in the same verse, signifying that he still held both names.
Acts 13:9 says, “Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said.”
Whose names did God change in the Bible?
The first is that of Abram becoming Abraham. In Genesis 17:5 God tells Abram to “No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a multitude of nations.” Another example is of Jacob becoming Israel.
After wrestling with an angel, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32:28. God also changed Sara’s name to Sarah in Genesis 17:15. Saul became Paul in Acts 13:9, and the disciples names changed from Simon to Peter in John 1:42.
Ishmael, and Esau.
Why was Simon renamed Peter?
Simon was renamed Peter as part of a series of events that began when Jesus encountered Simon on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus gave Simon a new name – Peter, which means ‘rock’ or ‘stone’ – asserting that Peter would be the foundation of the Christian Church.
Jesus instructed Peter to be a leader in the Church and serve as an example to others. From this point onwards, Simon became known as Peter and the name Simon was no longer used. This is rooted in Jesus’s commissioning of Peter and his recognition of the importance of Simon’s role in the spread of Christianity.
As Jesus said himself: “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.”
Why was Peter so special to Jesus?
Peter was special to Jesus because they had a unique bond. From the moment Jesus first uttered, “You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Cephas, which means ‘rock’” (John 1:42) to Peter, they had an undeniable connection.
Jesus saw the faith in Peter, and entrusted him with an enormous responsibility – to lead the early church.
Jesus and Peter had a special friendship; Peter became one of Jesus’ closest companions and was present for many of Jesus’ teachings. Peter was often the first to respond to Jesus’ inquiries and he received some of Jesus’ clearest and most meaningful teaching.
He was the only disciple to publicly declare that Jesus was the Christ and was invited to witness multiple miracles, some which were shown to no other disciple.
Most importantly, Jesus and Peter both shared a common goal: to spread the Gospel and spread God’s love. This was an endeavor that they needed each other’s support to complete and one Jesus undoubtedly needed Peter’s help in achieving.
Peter’s unwavering passion and loyalty to Jesus revealed the true depth of their relationship. Peter seemed to understand God’s purpose for Jesus more than any of the other disciples, and it was this loyalty and understanding that made him so valuable to Jesus.
Why did Jesus call Peter a rock?
Jesus called Peter a rock in the New Testament due to Peter’s strong faith, loyalty, and leadership abilities. Jesus especially noted Peter’s ability to speak on behalf of his fellow apostles as a sign of Peter’s extraordinary leadership skills.
Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). In this context, the phrase “this rock” is meant to refer to Peter himself and suggests that Jesus was choosing Peter to be the primary leader of the early Christian church.
In doing so, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah that promised the building of God’s church on the regular intercession of a faithful leader (Isaiah 28:16). As a result, Peter has come to be seen as a leader of unparalleled strength and courage, and it is no wonder Jesus named him the rock to build His spiritual kingdom.