Étude 1 sur 5 · Le choix des 12 Apôtres

  1. Étude 1 : Le choix des 12 Apôtres
  2. Étude 2 : L’essor remarquable de l’Église primitive
  3. Étude 3 : L’arrestation des apôtres
  4. Étude 4 : La délivrance miraculeuse des apôtres
  5. Étude 5 : L’intervention du pharisien Gamaliel

From the second to the third Passover festival

  • PER080 The choosing of the 12 Apostles

    Jesus chooses twelve disciples from among his followers and gives them the title of apostles, a Greek term meaning ‘sent on a mission’. This choice, made after a night of prayer, corresponds to the number of Israel's tribes. The Twelve receive authority to heal and proclaim salvation, forming the foundation of the future Church. The article explores the term's etymology, Jesus' prayer, the question of his omniscience and the case of Judas Iscariot.

    Mark 3.13-19 (King James Version) :
    And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:And Simon he surnamed Peter;And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Peter's ministry

  • ADA018 The remarkable growth of the early Church

    The ADA018 article comments on Acts 5.12-16, describing the growth of the early Church in Jerusalem in the spring of 33. The apostles perform miracles publicly in Solomon’s Portico, the Church grows in numbers, men and women alike, and the apostles’ reputation grows among the people, despite a fear aroused by the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira. The passage establishes a strong parallel with the ministry of Jesus.

    Acts 1.8 (King James Version) :
    But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA019 The arrest of the apostles

    The ADA019 article comments on Acts 5.17-18: faced with the remarkable growth of the Church in Jerusalem, the high priest and the Sadducees, moved by jealousy, have the apostles arrested. Luke shows that despite the opposition of the religious authorities, the work of Christ continues through the action of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the promise of Acts 1.8.

    Acts 6.7 (King James Version) :
    And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA020 The miraculous deliverance of the apostles

    This article examines the miraculous deliverance of the apostles (Acts 5.19-21) in Jerusalem in the spring of 33. Arrested by the high priest and the Sadducees, the apostles are freed from prison by an angel during the night. Luke relates this miracle with restraint, stressing its theological significance and its parallels with the Old Testament. The angel entrusts the freed apostles with the mission of announcing in the Temple 'all the words of this life', an expression referring to the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

    John 17.3 (King James Version) :
    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA023 The intervention of the Pharisee Gamaliel

    During a session of the Sanhedrin in the spring of 33, the Pharisee Gamaliel steps in to calm the Sadducees who want to put the apostles to death. By a pragmatic argument drawing on the precedents of Theudas and Judas the Galilean, he persuades the council to adopt a wait-and-see position. From Luke's perspective, his words illustrate a central theme of Acts: the work of God cannot be stopped by men.

    Acts 5.36-37 (King James Version) :
    For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate