Online Sermons
Lesson #6 - The Apostle Andrew
Series: The Fourteen ApostlesLESSON #6 – THE APOSTLE ANDREW
WHAT DO WE KNOW FROM SCRIPTURE ABOUT ANDREW?
~ Andrew, whose name means “manly or brave”, was a son of Jonas/Jonah; the brother of Simon Peter (Mk.1:16a).
Two sets of brothers, Andrew & Peter and James & John, partnered as profitable fishermen (Mk.1:16b and Lk.5:10-11).
~ As a native of Bethsaida (Jn.1:44) he resided in nearby Capernaum (Mk.1:21 & 29) - - both towns located on the northern tip of the sea of Galilee. The tri-city area of Bethsaida, Capernaum & Chorazin was a focus of much of Jesus ministry.
cf. Mk.6:45 & 8:22; Lk.9:10 and Jn.12:21
Jesus once said, To whom much is given, much will be required (Lk.12:48). cf. Mt.13:12
Mt.11:20f notes that although most of Jesus’ miracles occurred in these cities, they were reproached for failing to repent.
~ Previously a disciple of John the baptizer (Jn.1:35-40), Andrew recognized Jesus as , “The Lamb of God”, and promptly
began to follow after Jesus. Andrew is listed among those chosen to be the Twelve Apostles (Mk.3:13-19).
Based on Jn.1:40, Andrew is sometimes referred to as “protokletos” (i.e., first called).
As a prior student of John the baptizer, think of the words and actions he must have seen and learned.
The humility of John the baptizer is especially noteworthy. cf. Mt.3:11 & 14; Mk.1:7; and Jn.1:15, 27 & 3:28-30
THE GLORY OF THE ORDINARY
~ While it might sound silly to call any of The Twelve “ordinary”, Andrew's role is less highlighted than some.
Thrice he is spoken of as “Peter's brother” (Mt.10:2; Lk.6:14 and Jn.6:8).
How would you like to spend your life in the shadow of Peter?
Leslie Flynn has written, “If Peter was a firecracker then Andrew was a SPARKLER.”
~ Peter, James and John are often alluded to as Jesus' “inner circle”.
cf. Mk.5:37-43; 9:2f; & 14:33-34; Mt.17:1 & 26:37 and Lk.9:28 - - notice also Mk.13:3.
If you had been Andrew would you have felt slighted?
By way of application - - Are you adequately well-adjusted that you don't have trouble playing “second fiddle”?
Perhaps Andrew was familiar with the Old Testament words of tribute given to Benaiah recorded in 1Chron.11:24-25.
John's gospel includes three occasions where the low-profile work of Andrew played a significant role.
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¡ Andrew brought Peter to meet Jesus / Jn.1:41-42
¡ Andrew brought to Jesus a lad with 5 loaves and 2 fish / Jn.6:8-9
¡ Andrew (and Philip) introduced some “Greeks” to Jesus / Jn.12:20
Some are brought to Christ via public oratory; Others are brought through a Bible class; Many are brought by friends!
~ The last mentioning of Andrew in the New Testament is found in Acts 1:13f.
In Scripture, Andrew appears to be faithful, humble, unassuming, devoted, consistent and without envy or jealousy.
Would not the Lord's church benefit greatly by an enlarged “brotherhood of Andrews”?
AS TO ANCIENT LEGENDS
Written words of questionable origin (apocryphal - - 3rd century A.D.) tell of the Acts Of Andrew,
emphasizing his travels, the miracles he performed and a description of his martydom.
These and other late traditions (non-inspired documents describe his death by crucifixion (without nails,
So as to prolong the agony). A still-later tidbit specifies that Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross.
