by Father Matthew Attia

The Feast of Our Fathers and Teachers the Apostles [Abib 5 – July 12] calls us to reflect upon the lives, writings, teachings and personalities of these great people who wrote and preached the Gospel of Salvation, established churches, endured tremendous suffering and shed their blood out of their deep love for their Saviour and Master the Lord Jesus.

Authors of the Gospel and Epistles

It was the Apostles who documented the life, ministry and teachings of Christ and expounded upon the basics of the Christian Faith and Life in the Epistles.  In articulating the New Testament, the Apostles explained the prophecies of the Old Testament as fulfilled in the Life of Our Lord Jesus.  The New Testament says St Augustine is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is clear in the New Testament.  Consequently all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof and for correction (2 Tim 3:16).  Therefore always ask God to open your eyes that you may see the wondrous things from His Law (Ps 119:18).

Established the Churches

Instructed by the Lord to “Make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19) and empowered by the Holy Spirit the Apostles enthusiastically embarked upon their Ministry.  With boldness they established small Christian Communities from which evolved our Churches:  St Peter in Antioch, St Mark in Alexandria, St Paul in Rome, St Thomas in India.  St Luke says the Word of God spread and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly (Acts 6:7).  Similarly he says: A great number believed and turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21).  Thus all Coptic Church erect twelve pillars symbolizing the foundational role of the Apostles in establishing the Churches.

Preached the Gospel

Filled with the Divine Power of the Holy Spirit the Apostles became witnesses to the Risen Lord in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).  They gladly preached the Gospel (ie Good News) of Salvation: Daily in the Temple and in Every House, they did not cease from teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5:42).  In similar vein, St Luke states these who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word (Acts 8:4).  In the Service of the Apostles the words of the psalmist have been fulfilled: There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the ends of the earth (Ps 119:3-4).

Suffering and Martyrdom

The entire Ministry of the Apostles was filled with many hardships and suffering.  They were sent out as lambs among wolves (Lk 10:3).  Peter and John were imprisoned (Acts 4:1-4) and St Stephen stoned to death (Acts 7:54-60). Peter imprisoned (Acts 12:5) and St James brother of St John was killed (Acts 12:2).  As for St Paul he was beaten with rods, stoned, three times shipwrecked in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness, in hunger and thirst and in cold and nakedness (2 Cor 11:23-28).  In all this, the Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name (Acts 5:41).  As Martyrs, the Apostles blood has nourished and sustained the church to this day.

The Apostles were outstanding Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20).  We are indebted to them for their model service enriching, teaching and edifying preaching.  In each Apostle and Disciple of Christ the prophecies of Isiah have been fulfilled: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation (Is 52:7).  Through their indescribable efforts, all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God (Is 52:10).

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”