James was part of the inner circle of the disciples alongside John and Peter. Although a founder of the early church, quite surprisingly, James was once keen to hold a special position in Heaven alongside Christ. He also held a reputation for being fiery, when he demanded that Jesus should destroy a Samaritan village, when Jesus and the disciples were turned away by its inhabitants!

In contrast, John wrote about God as a God of love, and was articulate in his portrayal of Jesus in the same way. John etched himself a place in history when he wrote the Gospel of John, the three letters of John and the Book of the Revelation. Although once perceived as having anger management issues and a tendency to be selfish at times, John became a history maker in the development of the early church.

Peter was the apostle who did fail at times, but a man it is easy to identify with in his weaknesses. He was carefully selected by Christ and worked closely alongside James and John within the disciples. The former fisherman endured many trials, but his enthusiasm led to his unique influence within the early church. He also wrote the letters 1 and 2 Peter in the New Testament.

Under persecution, Philip was transformed from being a deacon responsible for food distribution in Jerusalem, to a full time evangelist. He was responsive to the call that God had placed on him, and was obedient when he took the Good News of Jesus to the Untouchables of Samaria!

He was a people-person, who was open about his faith, and refused to allow prejudice to get in the way of his ministry.

Philip was studious and took great care in presenting the Gospel message to those he met. In contrast, Philip did not write anything in the Bible, yet he did his absolute best to preach to those he met.

Saul was a trouble making (well-educated tentmaker!) Pharisee, only out to do one thing… to persecute and eradicate the Christian people, and showed no mercy. He approved of and witnessed the martyrdom of Stephen when he was stoned. Saul had been loyal to his Jewish faith, and had acted with fervency assuming he was doing the right thing to stop this apparently dangerous new religion.

However, God stopped Saul literally in his tracks, in the most amazing conversion recorded in the Bible. With a change of name (to Paul) and a change of heart, he began to follow Christ with a deep intensity and sincerity. He struggled to convince his fellow Christians that his faith was genuine. He later struggled to convince the Jews that other people (the Gentiles) had equal acceptance from God through Jesus.

God used Paul’s strong personality, his citizenship and his training as a Pharisee to write letters in the New Testament to the early Christians, and minister to the spiritual needs of his generation. His life story, testimony and writings are just as relevant today.

Thomas has only a relatively small mention in the Bible, yet his life story has had a fundamental impact on the Christian Church throughout the last 2000 years.

Thomas was an open and honest man, who would not accept the Resurrection of Jesus. He wanted proof and got it, when Jesus gave him the opportunity to see and touch the wounds from the physical death on the cross. He humbly accepted Jesus for who he claimed to be, when he exclaimed My Lord and My God.

The life of Thomas is a stark reminder to the Christian today that it is Jesus Christ who convinces and convicts people of their sin and their need for Jesus as their Saviour. Thomas did not solely rely on the testimony of his friends. However, the Christian is still responsible for conveying this message of hope.