Continued 👆🏽
There are not two separate apostles named Nathanael and Bartholomew. Bartholomew is the same person as Nathanael, and Saint Matthias, while not part of the original Twelve, was chosen to fill Judas Iscariot’s place.
When and How Were the Apostles Baptized?
1. The Promise Before the Passion
Before His crucifixion, our Lord said:
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:18–19)
This promise pointed to their coming transformation—from fear to boldness, from confusion to clarity.
2. The Fall Before the Rise
Despite their calling, the Apostles stumbled. They fled in Gethsemane. Peter denied Christ. Even after the Resurrection, some doubted the testimony of the women and the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
3. The Descent into Sheol
According to the witness of Saint Peter (1 Peter 3:18–19) and Saint Paul (Colossians 1:20), Christ descended to Sheol, proclaiming liberation to the righteous dead and reconciling all things in heaven and on earth.
4. The Apostolic Baptism by the Holy Spirit
On the evening of the Resurrection, the Risen Christ appeared to His disciples, saying:
“Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21–22)
This was not a baptism of water alone, but of fire and Spirit. Their fear was replaced with divine boldness. Weak men became pillars of the Church. Fishermen became fishers of nations. Cowards became martyrs.
Final Exhortation
Let us not merely admire the Apostles let us imitate them. They carried the Gospel through deserts, prisons, and persecution. Will we not carry it into our hearts and our homes?
Let the Church arise built on the blood of the Apostles and the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us.
Amen.
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