New Page 0

1. NAME St. Andrew the Apostle

2. REFERENCES

Scripture
Matthew 4:18-20
Matthew 10:2
Mark 1:16-18
Mark 1:29
Mark 3:18
Mark 13:3-4
Luke 6:14
John 1:35-44
John 6:8-9
John 12:20-22
Acts 1:12-14

Commentary
Homily XIX of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. John 1:42-42
Homily XX of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. John 1:43-44

Synaxarium (a biography of the saints, arranged by the church fathers and read after the Acts in the Divine Liturgy)
The Martyrdom of St. Andrew the Apostle, the Brother of St. Peter.

3. FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

St. Andrew was a simple fisherman who listened and acted immediately. He was one of the twelve disciples and was responsible for bringing St. Peter to Christ. Originally a disciple of St. John the Baptist, he followed Jesus after hearing St. John say “Behold the Lamb of God!” When Jesus found St. Andrew and his brother fishing, Jesus called them to be fishers of men and they immediately left their nets and followed him St. Andrew was a man of action more than words, but his actions brought about the great fruits of St. Peter and set the stage for the miracle of the five loaves and two fish.

4. OUTLINE OF HIS LIFE

A. Fisherman in the city of Bethsaida
B. Disciple of St. John the Baptist

1. Readily listened and followed Christ when St. John the Baptist stated, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1-35-37)
2. After following Jesus that day, the first thing he did was to find his brother St. Peter to share with him the good news. (John 1:41)

C. One of the first men beckoned by Christ

1. Christ called St. Andrew and St. Peter to leave their nets and become “fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:18-19 and Mark 1:16-17)
2. St. Andrew and St. Peter immediately left their fishing nets and followed Christ. (Matthew 4:20 and Mark 1:18)

D. Chosen by Christ to be one of the 12 disciples (Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:14)

1. Called by Christ to be with Him, to preach, to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. (Mark 3:13-19)

E. Suggested to Christ the option of the five loaves and two fish for Christ to feed the Five Thousand (John 6:8-9)

1. St. Andrew did not fully understand Christ’s power yet, because he is asked “but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9)

F. Told Jesus that the Greeks wanted to see Him (John 12:20-22)
G. Attended Upper Room Prayer Meeting and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12-2:4)

5. GENERAL INSIGHTS

A. How quickly did he obey God when told to do something?

When Christ called him to follow, he left immediately. (Matthew 4:20 and Mark 1:18)

B. What was his occupation?

Fisherman turn Fisher of Men.

C. What are the great accomplishments for which he is remembered?

Bringing St. Peter to Christ.

D. What crucial decisions did he have to make? How did they affect him?

Leaving his job with its income and familiarity to follow Christ, who has no place to lay His head.

E. What were his outstanding strengths in his character? What traits did he have?

Desire to bring others to Christ.
Willingness to operate behind the scenes - brining five loaves and two fish to Christ, telling Christ about the Greeks.
Did not become jealous of his brother St. Peter of whom Christ said “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18), even thought he was the one who brought him to Christ.

F. Did his life show any development of character as time passed? Was there growth and progression there?

At the time of the five loaves and two fish he questioned. “What are they among so many.” Later on he is bringing the Greeks, knowing that Christ can work with whatever is put before Him.

G. What were the long term results of his life, ministry and death?

By bringing St. Peter to Christ he opened the door for three thousand souls to be added to the church on Pentecost. (Acts 2:41)
He himself continued to minister and evangelize to the Gentiles, suffering persecution and martyrdom.

6. CHARACTER QUALITIES IDENTIFIED

Loyalty (John 1:41)
Obedience (Matthew 4:20 and Mark 1:18)
Discernment (John 1-35-37)
Resourcefulness (John 6:8-9)
Enthusiasm (John 1:41)
Lovingness (John 12:20-22)
Zealousness (John 12:20-22)
Man of Faith (Matthew 4:20 and Mark 1:18)
Humbleness (John 1:41)

7. BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED IN HIS LIFE

The importance and urgency of preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Love must not be just talk, but in action (1 John 3:18).
God chose those who were not wise and trusting in themselves but rather the simple who trust in Him to reveal His truth (Matthew 11:25).

8. SUMMARY OF LESSONS LEARNED FROM HIS LIFE

The outstanding characteristics of St. Andrew was his discernment, love, zeal and obedience. There must have been many a false prophet at the turn of the century as there are today, yet St. Andrew found and followed St. John the Baptist. When St. John simply stated “Behold the Lamb of God!” he immediately left St. John and followed Christ. When he found out about the Messiah, his first action was to find his brother and share the good news. When called by Christ to follow, he left immediately, not considering that he is leaving his only source of income or that he didn’t know where he was going. St. Andrew wasted no time in sharing what he knew was the truth, he saw the urgency in revealing the Good News to those who had not heard it and he was willing to give up the life he knew to do it, without delay or questions.

9. PERSONAL APPLICATION

St. Andrew was a man of trust and action, he didn’t waste time trying to debating what to do. I feel that many times God calls me to action and I complicate the process. God simply want me to go, to follow, to do what he says and to do it now. I don’t always need to understand why, I need to trust that the Lord knows best. Also, I do not have the same sense of urgency that St. Andrew has about bringing others to Christ, too many times I am lazy or shy.As a result of this study, I will commit to listening to God and doing what He asks me to immediately, trusting that His plan is perfect . Also, I will commit to contacting at least one person every week that I know who does not know Christ and sharing with him, even if it is awkward or difficult.

10. TRANSFERABLE CONCEPTS

A. St. Andrew listened to St. John the Baptist when he pointed to Christ and acted by leaving St. John and following Christ.

When God makes clear His truth, we must be willing to follow immediately.

B. St. Andrew listened to Christ and acted by finding his brother and sharing the Good News.

True Christian zeal and love necessitates that we share the Good News with urgency.

C. St. Andrew listened to Christ say “follow Me” and acted by following Him immediately.

Christ may ask to do something crazy, but we must trust Him and follow immediately when called.

D. St. Andrew listened to Christ ask for food to feed five thousand and acted by bring Him five loaves and two fish.

Sometimes a situation God has placed us in may not seem to have a plausible solution, we shouldn’t fret but trust that God has plans that will glorify Him.

Copyright © 2007 The Ecumenical Patriarchate.com