Acts 1:13-14 NLT:
When they arrived, they went to the upper room of the house where they were staying . . . They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Who were the 120 that gathered with the disciples in the upper room at Pentecost? If the curtain of time could be drawn back—as it will be someday in heaven—we would recognize many people we have met in the Gospels. If they are named, they were likely well-known by the early church community.
As we envision that amazing scene, I believe we would see dozens of those whose lives Jesus had transformed. Of course, Mary, His mother, is there. Kneeling beside her are Mary Magdalene, Susanna, Joanna, Salome, and the other women who had found the empty tomb. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicholas, the richest men in Jerusalem and now reduced to abject poverty, are gloriously at peace. Longinus, the centurion who had supervised the crucifixion, tells everyone in hearing that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus all glow with new joy. Zaccheaus, the short little publican, has left his tax booth to become a Jesus follower. Bartimaeus, once a blind beggar, is now eager to serve others. Simon of Cyrene and his sons Rufus and Alexander want to share the honor of carrying the Messiah’s cross. Jairus, the widow of Nain, and the epileptic boy’s father are most likely here. The men from Emmaus have left the world they knew to align themselves with the Man who had brought them life and joy.
Take particular notice of James, the Lord’s brother, kneeling next to the apostles. He is one of them now. Once a skeptic (John 7:5), he encountered the Risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7) and became His humble servant. He will soon become known as “Old Camel Knees” for the hours he spends praying in the Temple, seeking God’s forgiveness for his nation.
Jesus’s other siblings, Joseph, Simon, and Jude are here also. Had James convinced them that the One they knew and loved as their brother was the Christ? These three will also become world evangelists (1 Corinthians 9:5).
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter, an uneducated fisherman, boldly proclaims Jesus as the Messiah. The others are all given eloquent sermons in other languages to reach the diverse crowd. Over three thousand people became believers that day. This small band of passionate witnesses has started a fire that will turn the Roman Empire and the entire pagan world upside down!
All these people faced excommunication from the synagogue, for this was the Sanhedrin decreed for all who accepted Jesus as the Messiah. This was a tremendous financial hardship, for it meant they could no longer openly buy or sell. The Book of Acts records the apostles’ efforts at solving these problems by setting up communal dining halls.
Tragically, Stephen, one of the godly men in charge of meals, was drawn into a quarrel with nonbelievers, dragged before the Sanhedrin, and stoned to death. Intense and violent persecution followed, and thousands of Christians fled Jerusalem. The twelve apostles knew it was time to carry out Jesus’s last instruction, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NKJV).
Legend tells us they drew lots to determine which area each would evangelize. Rather, I believe the Holy Spirit laid certain countries on their hearts. Placing their lives on the line, they fanned out across the known world following Jesus’s Great Commission. Each one was martyred for the Gospel, and yet not one waivered from the Truth they knew and had seen with their own eyes. They all went to their deaths proclaiming the Gospel.
- James, the older brother of John the Beloved, was executed by Herod Agrippa.
- Peter was martyred in Rome during Nero’s persecution. He was crucified upside down at his request since he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
- Andrew went to Russia, Asia Minor, Turkey, and Greece, where he was crucified.
- Thomas preached as far east as India, where he was pierced with the spears of four soldiers.
- Philip had a powerful ministry in Carthage, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation, the proconsul had Philip cruelly put to death.
- Matthew ministered in Persia and Ethiopia, where he was stabbed to death.
- Bartholomew traveled to India with Thomas and back to Armenia, Ethiopia, and Southern Arabia. He met his death as a martyr for the gospel.
- James, son of Alpheus, ministered in Syria, where he was stoned and then clubbed to death.
- Simon the Zealot preached throughout Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.
- Judas Thaddeus preached the gospel in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey until he was killed with arrows.
- Matthias, chosen to replace Judas, ministered in Syria with Andrew and met death by burning.
- John probably died a natural death from old age. He led the church in Ephesus until his exile to a remote island.
- James “of the Camel Knees” stayed in Jerusalem and led the congregation in faith and prayer. He was thrown from the Temple and stoned.
Prayer: Father, Your church owes so much to these faithful men and women who gave everything to share the Good News of Jesus. Please help us believe as passionately and share as boldly. Filled with Your Holy Spirit, we can continue changing the world for You! Amen.