Andrew the Apostle

Who was Andrew the Apostle?

Andrew was one of twelve disciples of Jesus. He was the brother of Simon Peter, and a fisherman by trade before Jesus called him. He was the first disciple to be called by Jesus. Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist before that.

Call and Initial Encounter

Jesus saw Andrew and Peter fishing in the Sea of Galilee. He called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18) They immediately left their nets and followed Jesus. Andrew having been a disciple of John the Baptist, had a prior encounter with Jesus when John had identified Jesus, as the “Lamb of God”.

Significant Characteristics

Proactive Evangelist: After meeting Jesus, Andrew’s first action was to find his brother Simon (Peter). He told Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41-42) and brought him to Jesus. John 12:20-22 records that Andrew along with Philip, take a group of Greeks to see Jesus. This shows his proactive nature and his desire to share the Good News.

Faith in Action: In the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, John 6:8-9 records Andrew as the disciple who identifies the boy with five loaves and two fish, and brings him to Jesus. This highlights his silent faith that Jesus could in fact use that to feed the multitudes.

Contributions to the Church

Although the New Testament does not provide extensive details of Andrew’s contributions, church history holds that Andrew preached the Gospel in various regions. His missionary journeys are believed to have taken him to:

Asia Minor: Early Christian traditions and writings, including those of Eusebius, an early church historian, suggest that Andrew preached in parts of Asia Minor, particularly in the region around Ephesus and other cities in modern-day Turkey.

Scythia: Andrew is traditionally believed to have traveled to Scythia, which encompasses parts of modern Ukraine and southern Russia. This tradition is supported by early Christian writings and the accounts of church fathers such as Origen and Jerome.

Greece: Andrew is said to have preached in Greece, including the city of Achaia. His mission in Greece is well-documented by early church historians and writers.

Martyrdom

Andrew’s commitment to spreading the Good News eventually led to his martyrdom. According to church history, he was crucified in the city of Patras in Achaea, Greece. He is said to have been bound, rather than nailed, to an “X” shaped cross to prolong his suffering. Despite his suffering, it is said that Andrew continued to preach to those who gathered around him until he died.

Testimony & Legacy

Andrew’s life was an example of faith, humility, and evangelistic zeal that has left a lasting legacy of the lives that were touched by him.