The First to Follow: The Apostles of Jesus

by John R. Claypool

An examination of Jesus’s relationships with each of his first disciples other reveals ways to deepen our relationship with Him. One of the first things Jesus did in his ministry was to reach out to twelve individuals and draw them into his circle of close companionship with him. This series is about those twelve apostles, their relationships with Jesus and with each other, and what dynamics of that community can teach us. Jesus did not wait for people to be perfect in order to call them into the circle of God’s love. As we look at those who Jesus called, and consider ourselves as part of that ever enlarging circle, we gain not only a deeper sense of our reality, but also a deeper sense of how Christ wants to work with us. Based on talks given at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Birmingham, and more recently The Chautauqua Institute, these lectures have been edited by Ann W. Claypool in her husband’s memory.

148 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Karen Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent study by John Claypool. His insights about the apostles really bring them to life ... their strengths and weaknesses, their personalities, their unique relationships with Jesus, and how their attitudes, desires and goals changed after the Crucifixion.

Some notable quotes from the book:

"...Jesus did not wait for people to be perfect in order to call them into the circle of God's love. ... If perfection were something we had to have before God would accept and help us, then there would be no hope for any of us."

"On Good Friday, no one expected Easter."

"Sometimes we need light from a borrowed lamp, and are sustained by someone's faith in us."

"It is a great source of hope to remember that God can bring something into the present that is absolutely different from the way it used to be. If we allow our perceptions from the past to distort the way we view what we see now, we risk missing something new and wonderful that might be happening right before our eyes."

[Susanbargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of messages compiled in memory of John Claybrook. It is a very comforting perspective on the people/disciples that Christ first called as disciples. It is very powerful and reminds followers that perfection in humanity is not expected or capable for those called to serve God.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Claypool bringing important figures in the Bible to life. You may not agree with his suppositions, but I challenge you to read about the Greater and Lesser jameses without remembering Claypool's descriptions. An aid to anyone looking to learn more about the Bible.