When Jesus Christ chose His disciples, He did not call the wise of this world, nor the rich, nor the mighty. He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and simple men. They had no armies, no political influence, no gold, and no books of philosophy.
Yet through these twelve men, the entire world was transformed. The Roman Empire bowed to the Cross, nations received baptism, and countless souls were illumined by the light of Christ.
Orthodox Christianity teaches that this was not by human wisdom or strength, but by divine grace.
The apostles were living vessels of the Holy Spirit, through whom God revealed His power. Their mission is the foundation of the Church and the model for every Christian life.
The Calling Of The Apostles
Christ’s call to the apostles was simple but absolute.
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”
Matthew 4:19
When the Lord called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they immediately left their nets.
Matthew left his table of taxes.
They did not ask for promises of comfort or reward. They followed because they were drawn by the divine presence of Christ.
The apostles had no training in leadership or theology. Yet Christ entrusted them with the greatest mission in history: to proclaim salvation to all nations.
Their authority came not from institutions but from direct communion with the living God.
Saint John Chrysostom marveled at this mystery:
“How twelve unlearned men could conquer the world, not by fighting but by preaching, not by wealth but by poverty, not by pride but by humility, is the greatest of miracles.”
The Weakness That Became Strength
Humanly speaking, the apostles were weak. They feared persecution, misunderstood their Master, and even fled during His Passion.
Peter denied Him three times. Thomas doubted His Resurrection.
Yet after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, these same men became fearless witnesses.
The Book of Acts records that when they were threatened by the rulers, they answered:
“We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”
Acts 4:20
The transformation of their hearts was total. The timid became bold; the weak became mighty.
The power of Orthodox Christianity lies precisely in this divine paradox. The Lord said to Saint Paul:
“My strength is made perfect in weakness”
2 Corinthians 12:9
The apostles’ human frailty became the stage on which the power of God was revealed.
The Descent Of The Holy Spirit
The day of Pentecost marked the true beginning of the Church. The apostles were gathered in prayer when suddenly:
“there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting”
Acts 2:2
Tongues of fire appeared over them, and they began to speak in many languages.
This miracle was not merely a sign of divine power but the fulfillment of Christ’s promise:
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses to the end of the earth”
Acts 1:8
From that moment, the apostles no longer spoke with human eloquence but with the voice of God. Every word they uttered carried the grace of the Spirit.
Thousands were converted in a single day. The same Peter who once trembled before a servant girl now preached before multitudes without fear.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov later summarized this mystery in one simple phrase:
“Acquire the Spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved.”
The apostles had acquired the Spirit, and through them the world was reborn.
The Simplicity Of Their Mission
The apostles did not build monuments, nor did they seek political power. They walked on dusty roads, entered villages and cities, and spoke to hearts. They traveled without money, trusting entirely in God’s providence.
Christ had instructed them:
“Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money”
Luke 9:3
Their poverty was not a burden but a sign of authenticity. People listened because they saw that the apostles lived what they preached.
Their mission was fueled by prayer, fasting, and love. They healed the sick, raised the dead, and comforted the sorrowful—not to glorify themselves, but to lead souls to Christ. Their authority came from holiness, not from power.
The Message That Changed The World
The apostles preached one message: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Christ has risen from the dead, trampling down death by death.”
This simple proclamation shook the foundations of paganism.
The world of their time worshipped many gods, valued wealth and strength, and honored the emperor as divine. The apostles proclaimed that the true God became man, suffered, and died for love of mankind.
The cross, once a symbol of shame, became the sign of victory.
Saint Paul wrote:
“We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God”
1 Corinthians 1:23–24
This was not philosophy or theory. It was life. The apostles’ words carried grace because they were confirmed by their martyrdom. They preached what they lived, and they died for what they preached.
The Spread Of The Gospel
From Jerusalem, the message spread to every corner of the world. Peter went to Rome, Andrew to Greece, Thomas to India, Matthew to Ethiopia, John to Asia Minor.
Without armies, ships, or wealth, they reached nations and languages unknown.
The Book of Acts describes this unstoppable movement:
“Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word”
Acts 8:4
Every town that received the Gospel became a small kingdom of heaven.
In time, emperors who once persecuted Christians began to kneel before the Cross. The empire that crucified Christ became the instrument of His Church’s triumph.
Yet the victory did not belong to worldly power; it belonged to the Spirit that moved through the hearts of humble men.
The Apostles’ Example Of Love
At the center of the apostles’ mission was love: love for God and for humanity. Christ had commanded them:
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”
John 13:35
Their love was not sentimental but sacrificial. They forgave their enemies, blessed those who cursed them, and endured persecution with joy. When Peter and John were beaten for preaching, they rejoiced that:
“they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name”
Acts 5:41
Saint John the Theologian, the beloved disciple, spent his final years repeating one phrase:
“Little children, love one another.”
When asked why he always said the same thing, he answered, “Because it is enough.”
This divine love was stronger than any weapon. It melted the hearts of pagans and drew sinners to repentance. The apostles did not win debates. They won souls.
The Martyrdom That Glorified God
Nearly all the apostles sealed their mission with their blood:
- Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
- Andrew was martyred on an X-shaped cross.
- James was beheaded,
- Thomas was pierced with spears, and
- Philip was hanged.
John alone died in peace, but after years of exile and suffering.
Their deaths were not defeats but triumphs. Each martyrdom became a seed of faith. As Tertullian wrote:
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
In their willingness to die, the apostles bore witness that Christ had conquered death. Their courage proved that Orthodox Christianity was not a human movement but divine truth.
No philosophy, empire, or power could destroy what was founded upon the eternal foundation of Christ
The Power Of The Apostolic Life
The apostles’ power was not external but spiritual. They prayed constantly, fasted, and lived in poverty. Their words had weight because they came from hearts purified by grace.
Saint Gregory the Great said:
“The preacher must first burn with the flame of divine love before he can kindle it in others.”
This describes the apostolic mission perfectly. The apostles burned with love for Christ, and that fire spread across the earth.
The Church they built was not a human institution but the living Body of Christ. Every priest, bishop, and believer who continues their mission today shares in that same grace.
The apostolic succession is not merely a chain of ordinations but a living transmission of the Holy Spirit.
The Difference Between Orthodox Christianity And The Modern World On Power And Success
- The modern world measures success by wealth; Orthodox Christianity measures it by holiness.
- The modern world values influence and popularity; Orthodox Christianity values humility and obedience.
- The modern world seeks comfort; Orthodox Christianity embraces sacrifice.
- The modern world uses power to dominate; Orthodox Christianity uses love to serve.
- The modern world trusts in technology; Orthodox Christianity trusts in divine grace.
- The modern world avoids suffering; Orthodox Christianity sees suffering as a path to resurrection.
- The modern world seeks applause; Orthodox Christianity seeks repentance.
- The modern world forgets eternity; Orthodox Christianity lives for it.
The Apostolic Mission In Our Time
The mission of the apostles did not end in the first century. Every Orthodox Christian is called to continue their work. We may not travel across oceans or preach to multitudes, but we are called to bring Christ’s light wherever we live.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov said:
“Save yourself, and thousands around you will be saved.”
The greatest missionary work begins with repentance and prayer. When we live the Gospel sincerely, the grace of God spreads through us to others.
The apostles proved that one person filled with the Holy Spirit can change the world. The same Spirit lives in the Church today, empowering every believer to become a witness of the Resurrection.
The Glory Of Poverty And Simplicity
In a world obsessed with riches, the apostles remind us that spiritual power is born from humility. They owned nothing but possessed everything. They had no houses, yet the world became their home.
The Lord said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
Matthew 5:3
Poverty in the Gospel is not misery but freedom. The apostles were free because their hearts belonged only to God.
Saint John Chrysostom taught:
“He who possesses Christ needs nothing else.”
This is the secret of the apostolic spirit. When a soul is united to Christ, it becomes rich beyond measure, and even the smallest act of love becomes a treasure in heaven.
How To Explain This To Children
Parents can tell their children that the apostles were ordinary people like fishermen and workers, but they loved Jesus with all their hearts.
They did not have money or power, yet they changed the world because God was with them.
Children can learn that it is not how rich or famous we are that matters, but how much we love and obey God.
They can be told that when we pray, share, and forgive, we are doing the same kind of work the apostles did—bringing light and kindness into the world.
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