Andrew the Apostle of Jesus
Andrew the brother of Peter brought Peter & others to Jesus.
Tradition states Andrew was martyred on an X cross.
The subject for the study is the apostle Andrew. Andrew is listed among the 12 apostles of Jesus in the gospels of Matthew Mark and Luke. The Gospel of John names him and provides details about his life in relationship to Christ as we will see Andrew is the man who introduced others to Jesus. The name Andrew is a Greek name meaning manly he was the son of Jonas from Bethsaida in Galilee. John 1:44 tells us that Philip was of Bethsaida the city of Andrew and Peter. Andrew went to live with his brother Peter in Capernaum as recorded in Mark chapter 1 verses 29.
Now let's look at Andrew's first encounter with Jesus recorded in John chapter 1 starting with verse 29: The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming unto him and says behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said after me cometh a man which is preferred before me but he was before me and I knew Him not but that he should be made manifest to Israel therefore I came baptizing with water. And John bear record saying I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it abode upon him. And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptized with water the same said unto me on whom thou see the spirit descending and remaining on him the same as he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost. And I saw him bare record that this is the son of God. And again the next day after John stood and two of his disciples and looking upon Jesus as he walked he said behold the Lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak and they follow Jesus. Then Jesus turned and saw them following and said unto them what seek ye. They said unto him Rabbi which is to say being interpreted Master where dwellest Thou? He said unto them come and see they came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day for it was about the 10th hour. One of that heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon and says to him we have found the Messiah which is being interpreted the Christ and he brought him to Jesus. When Jesus beholding him said thou art Simon the son of Jona that shall be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone. From this passage we see that the first disciple to join Jesus was Andrew. He was a man of simple faith, he was a man of sure faith, he was a man who shared his faith demonstrated by bringing Peter to Jesus.
Now let's look at Andrew's statement regarding Jesus in verse 41. He says we have found the Messiah. Now that's an amazing statement because the Jewish people have been waiting for the Messiah since King David. They are now under the rule of the Roman empire and their hope is that the Messiah would come, re-establish the Davidic kingdom and overthrow the Roman empire freeing the Jewish people. Andrew’s statement was based on testimony of John the Baptist that we read he described Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. That is he to whom the Old testament points. John the Baptist said he is higher than I for He existed before me though he came after me. So John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the son of God, the eternal son of God. John the Baptist also witnessed the holy Spirit descending on him and remaining on Him. Andrew accepts John's statements in simple faith.
Next we see that Andrew's faith is a motivating faith. Andrew wanted to share his faith, Andrew wanted to bring others to Jesus. He brought his brother Peter to Jesus. In John chapter 6 verses 5 through 9 we see that Andrew brought the boy that had the five loaves and five fishes to Jesus. He also brought the Greeks to Jesus. In John 12:20 to 24 we read and they were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feas. The same came to Philip which was beside the sea of Galilee and desired him saying sir we would see Jesus. Philip wants Andrew to help him introduce the Greeks to Jesus. It seems that that Philip had some hesitancy because the Jewish leaders had no use for gentiles but Andrew shows no hesitancy so in a way Andrew can be described as a missionary to the gentiles. He knew that Jesus welcomed all who seek the truth. So Andrew optimistically saw others and he universally saw others including the Greeks.
What does tradition say about Andrew? He went to Cynthia which was north of the Black Sea. It is now Russia. They were an extremely barbaric people but Andrew reached out to them and brought some of them to Christ. He is considered the patron saint of Russia. Also according to tradition Andrew went to Scotland and some traditions states that Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland. Tradition also tells us that Andrew reached out to Acacia which is Greece and it is here that he died about 60 AD. He apparently was crucified on an ex-shaped cross according to tradition.
Some final thoughts about the Apostle Andrew. He was satisfied to being second place. He could easily have envied Peter and John but he was humble and content. He was very devoted to Christ. He was not one of the inner circle of Peter James and John and he could have become bitter but he placed the cause of Christ first. Andrew lived and died a missionary for Christ and one who love to bring people to Jesus. Amen.
Below is Audio message of the life of the Apostle Andrew.
Below is the link to click on to see the original hand written notes.