Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Thursday, April 16, 2009
Memory Verse John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
The Twelve Apostles 1. Simon-Peter 2. Andrew 3. James 4. John 5. Philip 6. Bartholomew, Nathanael 7. Thomas 8. Matthew, Levi 9. James, the son of Alphaeus 10. Thaddaeus 11. Simon the Zealot 12. Paul
His Name: Thaddaeus, a.k.a. Lebbaeus, a.k.a. Judas son of James. John 14:22, refers to him as “Judas, not Iscariot.”
The surname Thaddaeus is used in Mat 10:3, (KJV uses Lebbaeus), and Mark 3:18. “Judas of James”, in Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13.
KJV uses “brother” while modern translations use “son”. Son of James is to be preferred.
Some say “Judas of James” was the replacement for Thaddaeus who died during the ministry of our Lord.
The use of Judas has led many to wrongly believe he is the brother of James “son of Alphaeus” and ½ brother of our Lord.
When comparing the listings of the apostles it seems impossible to doubt that Judas and Thaddaeus were the same person.
Some say that because the name "Judas" was so tarnished by Judas Iscariot, it was natural for Mark and Matthew to refer to him by his alternate name.
Some even called him Judas the Zealot, confusing him or establishing allegiances with Simon the Zealot.
Meaning of the names: Thaddaeus = “gift of God” Lebbaeus = “heart or courageous” Judas = “praise Yahweh.” Iscariot = “men of the city ” Meaning of the names: Thaddaeus = “gift of God” Lebbaeus = “heart or courageous” Judas = “praise Yahweh.” Iscariot = “men of the city ”
His Background: Some say: born into a Jewish family in Paneas, a town in Galilee. He spoke Greek and Aramaic, and was a farmer.
He is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, and may have received his call at the Sea of Tiberias.
He was either of the house of Joseph or of Judah. And may have been the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana.
His Personality: He would have been a hard worker and had tremendous patience. From John 14:22, he seems to be a very caring individual.
His Role Among the Apostles: One of the 12, Mat 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; Act 1:13. In Mat. and Mark 10th before Simon; in Luke and Acts, 11th after Simon.
His only recorded words are in John 14:22, the last of the four questioners perplexed at our Lord’s statement in verse 19.
This gave our Lord the opportunity to expand on the relationship of the believer with the Lord during the Church Age by means of the Word and Holy Spirit in verses
His Legacy: Many of his accounts are confused for Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy Disciples.
The Apostles Thaddaeus Jude and Bartholomew are traditionally believed to have been the first to bring Christianity to Armenia.
He may have preached in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya, or in Assyria and Persia.
Foxes Book of Martyrs: He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.
Others say he is represented holding an axe or halberd, as he was brought to death by one of these weapons.
Martyrdom Symbol
The burial place of Thaddaeus is variously placed at Beirut and in Egypt.
Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, April 16, 2009 Tape # Meet the Apostles – Thaddaeus Upper Room Discourse, Part 255 John 13:36;14:22-26 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009