David S. Winston
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The 12 Disciples Were Teenagers!...So What's Your Excuse?

3/1/2017

5 Comments

 
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Did you know that the first apostles/disciples in the Bible were TEENAGERS?? They were named apostles by Jesus himself (Luke 6:13-16). The Bible goes on to refer to them as the twelve apostles in some cases, and in other instances they are called what we know them as - the twelve disciples. 

In the historical Jewish culture, it is recorded that many youth were graduating from formal schooling by the age of 15. At that point they would go on to become apprentices for different trades (i.e. blacksmith, fisherman, farmer). This is good to remember because Peter, James, and John were all fishermen when Jesus called them to follow Him (Luke 5:1-11). 

Another point which we cannot overlook is the fact that Jesus was 30 years of age when he started his ministry assignment on the earth. As it was Jewish custom, Rabbis usually took on "disciples" or followers to train at the exact age of 30. Jesus then calls these disciples "little ones" multiple times in the scripture (Luke 10:21, Luke 17:2...)


Now in Matthew 17, something significant happens. It was time to pay temple taxes, and since the disciples had been traveling with Jesus, they had no way of paying. Jesus then tells Peter to go grab a fish and look in it's mouth and you will find a gold coin - take it and pay taxes for both he and Peter. (The Greek word used in verse 27 was stater, which was the exact amount to pay temple tax for two.) But why only those 2? According to Exodus 30:14-15, only those who were over the age of 20 had to pay temple tax. So that is conclusive evidence that Peter was possibly the only disciple over the age of 20. In Matthew 8:14-15 the scripture references Jesus coming to Peter's house to heal his mother-in-law, which means that he must have been married. (Peter was the only one of the disciples that we know was married during the time when Jesus was alive.)

Matthew was known to be a tax collector (Luke 5:27) which is usually reserved for those who might have been adults. However, there is no conclusive evidence on this so we can only speculate. 

So what does all this mean? The disciples were following Jesus at the age of most high school students. At the time that we are usually sending students off to college, the disciples were launching the first church and adding thousands daily to the faith. So if they can be used at such a young age, with no formal theological teaching or credentials, why can't you be used in the same way? What's your excuse? What's holding you back from God using you in a mighty way?

​Never let circumstances of this world keep you from the best of God. He's not looking for your ability, He's looking for your availability. All you have to do is say yes to God, just like the disciples. 
​~ David

5 Comments
Carmella Smith
3/19/2017 04:46:25 pm

Good job

Reply
La`Quanta Williams link
3/19/2017 11:48:06 pm

David, this was a great read. I have a book that also explains that the disciples of Jesus (the 12 apostles) were teenagers. Most people thing all apostles are in their 50s and 60s with long beards haha. The first apostles were teenagers, or early twenties!!!

Not all are apostles (and He gave SOME to be apostles...) But I will say there are YOUNG APOSTLES that God are raising up in this age.

—La`Quanta P. Williams

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Brian Dixon
3/22/2017 09:29:30 pm

Pastor,

I'm glad you shined the light on this subject. Youth act as if they have no role in the church or that they have to be older to play a role in the church. This can be used as a outreach to let the youth know, they played, and still play a significant role in the church. David would be another example.

Reply
David Henderson link
3/25/2017 07:48:46 am

Powerful! This message alone can be used repeatedly to inspire teenagers and youth for Christ. Gonna let em know here in Tuskegee for sure!

Reply
Johnny
1/25/2022 11:21:32 pm

David I totally disagree with you assessment that the disciples were teenagers. How can Jesus say come follow me and I will make you fishes of man and then he calls teenagers?

Look at the catholic church and all the children and teenagers that the priests have molested through the years they had this same mentality.

And to be teaching that the disciples were teenagers is morally n categorically wrong. It's unbiblical. What will you say next that Mary was only 13yrears old when she birthed Jesus?

Let me explain to you why the disciples didn't pay their temple tax.

You need to remember the culture of Jesus day. Everyone was doing what they saw fit in their own eyes. The world was in need of a Saviour.

The priest in the temple were morally,spiritually and financially corrupt. They were running the temple like a shopping mall.

All the vendors, money exchangers,sheep n lamb sellers, remember 400 years earlier in the days of Malachi the priests sons were offering sacrifices to God but they were helping themselves to the best part of the meat, also they were sacrificing lame animals instead of the best.
Well that hadn't changed. They were also selling doves in the temple for the poor. So the vendors were paying for the Temple tax and every one else went in for free.

If you read again the verse you have quoted above from Matthew you will clearly see they straight away picked on Jesus. Why?

Because earlier Jesus had disrupted their money making scheme and venture. He over turned the money changers tables in the temple and he said My father's house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves.

They wanted Jesus the trouble maker to pay for the Temple tax because they knew he was going to cause them trouble n they will lose their financial gains, and Jesus chose to pay for himself and Peter.

Again Spiritually Jesus is teaching us a spiritual lesson here.

He paid for all our Sins on the cross even though he had NO sin, and then he said Simon you shall be called Peter. And upon this rock I shall build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Blessings to you sir. And as the Bible says Iron sharpens Iron.
This is another perspective that has been revealed to me by my study of scriptures.

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    David S. Winston

    I want to help others discover how they can live the best of life. I have been a youth pastor and ministry executive for since 2009 and I love inspiring people to become greater! Learn more about me here.

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