Happy Apostles Day!

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A sinner saved by grace, Bodie Hodge

Happy Apostles Day!

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, December 27, 2025 (Donate)

Today is Apostles Day (also called St. John’s Day). It is the second day of Christmas or December 27^th. Today, we remember the Apostles of Christ and their work to spread the Gospel and the Holy Spirit’s use of them as the responsible authoritative party to write and approve the New Testament Scriptures.

Peter and John peering into an empty grave of Christ at a discontinued exhibit at the Creation Museum; Photo by Bodie Hodge

The value of the apostles should not be overlooked and their contribution is foundational next to the chief cornerstone—Jesus Christ. Consider this importance in Revelation:

Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Revelation 21:14, NKJV)

The initial twelve Apostles were the initial disciples, minus the betrayer—Judas Iscariot. And then Matthias who replaced him (Acts 1:26). There were other Apostles elevated and listed in Scripture, all with equal authority. The most famous of these were Paul (also called Saul). But there was also Barnabas and the Lord’s brother (James).

Of course, Jesus Christ is The Apostle of God who was crucified in Jerusalem. Unlike all others, He resurrected and we await the general resurrection and judgment of the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5). The Apostles of Jesus are listed below (and an infographic below).

Table 1: Apostles of Jesus: References and Death Traditions

Apostle	Bible Reference Identifying as Apostle	Death (Biblical or Early Church Tradition)	Primary Historical Source(s)
Peter	Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13	Crucified upside down in Rome under Nero (tradition).	Origen; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
Andrew	Matthew 10:2	Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece.	Acts of Andrew; early church tradition
James (son of Zebedee)	Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13	Beheaded by order of Herod Agrippa I.	Acts 12:2
John	Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13	Died of old age in Ephesus after exile on Patmos.	Irenaeus; Eusebius
Philip	Matthew 10:3	Martyred by crucifixion or hanging in Hierapolis.	Polycrates of Ephesus
Bartholomew (Nathanael)	Matthew 10:3; John 1:45–49	Flayed alive and beheaded according to tradition.	Eusebius; Armenian tradition
Matthew (Levi)	Matthew 10:3; Matthew 9:9	Killed by sword or spear while ministering.	Early church traditions
Thomas	Matthew 10:3; John 20:24	Speared to death in India.	Acts of Thomas
James (son of Alphaeus)	Matthew 10:3	Stoned or beaten to death.	Hegesippus; Eusebius
Thaddaeus (Jude/Lebbaeus)	Matthew 10:3; Jude 1	Killed with clubs or arrows in Persia.	Early Syriac tradition
Simon the Zealot	Matthew 10:4	Martyred, possibly sawn in two or crucified.	Later church tradition
Matthias	Acts 1:26	Stoned and then beheaded according to tradition.	Nicephorus; early church writers
Paul	Acts 14:14; Galatians 1:1	Beheaded in Rome under Nero.	Clement of Rome; Eusebius
Barnabas	Acts 14:14	Stoned to death in Cyprus.	Acts of Barnabas
James (the Lord’s brother)	Galatians 1:19	Thrown from the Temple and beaten to death.	Josephus; Hegesippus

 

John, being the disciple that Jesus loved enough to take care of His mother upon His death on the Cross (John 19:26-27) is often especially honored on this day. He, unlike the others, died a natural death. Though, he was persecuted and put into tribulation for his faith like the others. His persecution was just not to the point of death.

I hope this second day of Christmas is a blessed one.

Infographic requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist since 1998 helping out in various churches and running an apologetics website. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.