How many were the disciples of Yeshua?
Question: How many were the disciples of Yeshua?
Answer: Yeshua chose 12 disciples for His ministry: Simon Peter, James the son of Zebedee, John the brother of James, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot. (Mar 3:16-19)
At the end of His ministry, we see 11 disciples: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, with the women, and Miriyam the mother of Yeshua, and with His brothers. (Act 1:13-14) Judas Iscariot has been excluded from the number of the disciples because of the betrayal.
In the Book of Acts, we are told that the disciples chose Matthias in Judas’ stead, with which their number was restored to 12. But we are also told in Acts that Yeshua chose Paul for His ministry among the nations which made him the thirteenth disciple. There is no record in the Apostolic Writings that Paul had replaced Matthias as a disciple.
But how many are the disciples of Yeshua today?
It is incorrect to think that the book Act is a finished book. It is still being written, but this time in heaven. Everyone who claims to be of Yeshua is His disciple and his/her acts are being written. That is why the original title of the book of Acts is “Acts of the disciples of Yeshua the Messiah”. Read more in the article “Peter, Called the Satan“. (Read more)