WRITERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

MATTHEW: (Levi) A Publican (tax collector). Son of Alphaeus. Apostle. Wrote Matthew.

MARK: (John) Cousin to Barnabas of Cyprus. Son of Mary of Jerusalem. Convert of Peter taken to Antioch by Paul and Barnabas after death of James (brother of John) and after Peter's escape (Ac. 12) Accompanied Paul and Barnabas on first missionary journey through Cyprus. Turned back at Perga (Now Turkish mainland). Paul refused to take him on second journey. Went with Barnabas to Cyprus while Paul took Silas to churches in Asia (Turkish mainland). In later years was with Paul in Rome. Wrote Mark.

LUKE: “The beloved physician.” Probably a Greek from Philippi. Traveled with Paul. Wrote Luke and Acts, to Theophilus.

JOHN: Brother of James who was killed by Herod. Son of Zebedee. Mother was Salome. He and James called, “Sons of Thunder”. Called from business as fisherman. Wanted to call fire down from heaven on a city of Samaritans. Forbade a man from casting out demons. Mother wanted him to sit next to Jesus in the kingdom. Was called a “pillar” of the church. Last heard of in exile on the Island of Patmos. Was one of the twelve Apostles. Wrote; John, I, II, 3John and Revelation.

PAUL: (Saul of Tarsus) A Jew. Roman citizen by birth. Held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. Converted by the vision of Christ (on road to Damascus). Blind three days. Told by Ananias to arise and be baptized and wash away his sins. Went to Arabia and back to Damascus, then to Jerusalem to visit Apostles. Went to Tarsus. Barnabas went and brought him to Antioch. They visited Jerusalem with an offering for the poor. Returned to Antioch with Mark. Sent with Barnabas to Cyprus and Asian mainland where Mark turned back. Stoned and left for dead at Lystra. Returned to Antioch. Went to Jerusalem concerning dispute over whether Gentiles must be circumcised. Returning to Antioch, they determined to again visit the churches but Paul refused to take Mark. Paul and Barnabas split up and Paul took Silas to the churches on the Asian mainland (Turkey now). At Lystra, Timothy joined them and they went on to make a circuit around the Aegean Sea into what is now Greece. Went by sea to Ephesus from Corinth and then back to Antioch. Returned to Ephesus and again around the Aegean and back around the north to Miletus and on to Jerusalem by sea. Paul was taken prisoner and ultimately sent to Rome for trial. On the way he was shipwrecked. In Rome he was later set free. Years later he was again carried to Rome as a captive. Paul was a special Apostle to the Gentiles. (Gal. 2:7-9). He wrote Romans through Philemon and probably Hebrews.

JAMES: The “brother of the Lord.” Called an Apostle (Gal. 1:18-19; Ac. 9:27-28)

Called a “pillar” of the church (Gal. 2:9). Probably brother of Jude in Mk. 6:3.

PETER: (“Cephas” or Simon) Son of Jonah. -Brother of Andrew. -One of twelve Apostles. Called from fishing. Wife's mother healed. Walked on water. Confessed Jesus as Christ. Took tribute money from a fish. Cut off ear of High Priest's servant. Denied Christ three times. Called from fishing again after the resurrection. Preached the sermon on Pentecost. Healed lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Arrested with John. Arrested with the Apostles--freed by Angel. Healed Aeneas at Lydda. Raised Dorcas. Converted Cornelius. Imprisoned by Herod--freed by an Angel. Rebuked by Paul at Antioch for eating only with the Jews. -Wrote: 1 & 2Peter.

JUDE: Brother of James. Probably the Judas mentioned in Mk. 6:3 as the Lord's brother. Wrote Jude.