Adapted from the Urantia Book original paper here
1. Honest Nathaniel was the last of the original six apostles chosen by Jesus himself. Single, twenty-five years old, and the second youngest apostle after John Zebedee. Nathaniel was the best educated of the apostles except for Judas Iscariot (is’kerēət), and he was thinking of becoming a merchant when chosen.
2. Nathaniel’s greatest virtue was his honesty. His greatest weakness was his extreme pride in anything personal, like his family, city, nation, or reputation. Pride, like many traits, is only commendable to a certain point after which it becomes prejudice. This caused Nathaniel to be quick in prejudging people according to his personal opinions.
3. Nathaniel was the odd genius of the apostles: he was at once a dreamer and philosopher, but with a practical side. The trait that Nathaniel most admired about Jesus was his tolerance – his generous sympathy and broadmindedness. With the exception of Judas Iscariot, Nathaniel was loved and respected by the other apostles.
4. Nathaniel’s job was to take care of everyone’s families. After Pentecost, Nathaniel took off for Mesopotamia and India baptizing believers along the way. None of the others ever knew what happened to their poet, humorist, and philosopher. Nathaniel was a great man in the kingdom and did a lot to spread Jesus’ teachings before he died in India.
5. Matthew Levi was the seventh apostle, and chosen by Andrew. He was thirty-one years old, married, and had four kids. He was a customs collector in Capernaum (kə’pərnāəm), and the only apostle to be moderately wealthy. Matthew was put in charge of the finances, and became the spokesperson for the group.
6. Matthew was a good judge of human nature, and did well at marketing. He was intense, sincere, and continually grew in his belief in Jesus and the certainty of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew’s strong point was his complete devotion to the cause. He was intensely loyal to Jesus.
7. Matthew’s weakness was being shortsighted and materialistic. What he most admired about Jesus was his forgiveness. Matthew always kept in mind the fact that faith was the only thing needed to enter the kingdom of God.
8. Over time, Matthew used all of his own savings for the apostles, but they never knew about this because he didn’t tell them. He was worried they would think his money was tainted. So instead, he’d donate his money in someone else’s name.
9. When the persecutions began Matthew headed north preaching the gospel and baptizing believers in Syria, Cappadocia (kapə’dōshə), Galatia (ɡə’lāshə), Bithynia (bi’thinēə), and Thrace. None of the other apostles ever knew what became of him. In Thrace a group of unbelieving Jews conspired with the Romans and killed Matthew.
10. Thomas Didymus (‘didəməs) was chosen by Philip. He was the eighth apostle. He was twenty-nine years old, married, and had four children. When he joined the apostles he was fishing out of Tarichea (tə’rēkēə), a small village on the west bank of the Jordan where it flows out of the Sea of Galilee. Thomas was in charge of the itinerary, and he performed well.
11. Thomas had the one truly keen and analytical mind of the twelve. This was his greatest strength. He was the real scientist of the apostles: logical and skeptical. Thomas tended to be a bit disagreeable and quarrelsome. Thomas was also really suspicious, and this was his greatest weakness.
12. Thomas revered Jesus because of his superbly balanced character and matchless symmetry; the fact that Jesus was so merciful yet so just and fair. Thomas admired that Jesus was firm but never obstinate; calm but never indifferent; helpful and sympathetic but never meddlesome or dictatorial.
13. Thomas would argue against Jesus exposing himself to danger, but if Jesus decided to do so anyway, he would rally the other apostles by saying, “Come on, guys, let’s go and die with him.” Thomas was a good loser, didn’t hold grudges, and he was one of the bravest among the twelve.
14. After the persecutions scattered everyone, Thomas went to Cyprus, Crete, the North African coast, and Sicily baptizing believers and preaching the kingdom of heaven until the Roman’s caught and killed him in Malta. He had just started writing his story of the life and teachings of Jesus a few weeks before he died.
Okay, folks, that’s it for the Highlights of Son of Man: Urantia, Chapter 18, part 3, “The Twelve Apostles”.
This week we finish Chapter 18 with part 4, “The Twelve Apostles”.
Have a fantastic week out there, everybody.
Bob