Simon-Peter (or just Peter) was a fisherman by trade and was introduced to Jesus by his brother, Andrew. Once Peter met Jesus and got to know him and the Gospel, Peter abandoned his fishing business and became one of Christ's Apostles. The video below goes into more detail in the life of the Apostle Peter.
John 21:15-17 (WEB) 15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”
Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Andrew The Disciple of Jesus, and later, Apostle, was at first a follower of John the Baptist, who told him about Jesus. Andrew told Simon Peter, his brother and fellow fisherman, and they went to see Jesus, and said "We have found the Messiah."
Andrew introduced many people to Jesus, and traveled many places to spread the word.
Luke 6:13-16 (WEB)
13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; 15 Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon who was called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
James was also a fisherman along with his brother, John. James entered the calling of Jesus and was a very dedicated Apostle, spreading the Good Word of Jesus in many places, including Spain.
Mark 1:19-20 ESV) 19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
The Apostle John, the brother of James and the son of Zebedee (4-R)
The Apostle John is known as The Beloved Apostle. At the last supper he leaned on the shoulder of Jesus. Said to be the youngest of the apostles. John, his brother and father were fishermen. John was a man of strong faith, compassionate and a a heart of love. He was entrusted with the mother of Jesus and the Book of Revelation, wherein he saw many visions.
John 19:26,27 (WEB)
26. When Jesus therefore, saw his mother and the disciple he loved whom standing there, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!"
27. Then he said to the disciple, "behold your mother!" From that moment the disciple took her to his own home.
The Apostles of Jesus: John, the Son of Zebedee - Beliefnet
Very little is known about Phillip before Jesus selected him personally to be an Apostle. It should be known that Phillip the Apostle was not the same person as 'Philip the Evangelist.' Phillip was a most dedicated Apostle and shared Christ's message with countless persons.
John 1:44-46 (WEB) 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was known to be connected to agriculture, but it is unknown in what way. History tells that he traveled to many places in Greece, where he is thought to have been martyred, as he spread the gospel of the Lord.
John 1:43-51 (WEB) 43 On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” 51 He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
The Apostle Bartholomew (Nathaniel) as Jesus Chose Him -
Thomas was chosen by Jesus as one of the 12 Apostles. Initially Thomas was doubtful about the Gospel and miracles of Jesus but became a Believer during the second appearance of Christ after the ascension, and was no longer a "Doubting Thomas" when he saw and felt the wounds of Jesus. Thomas traveled to India and preached the Gospel, converting many in the communities and was faithful to Jesus as a teacher.
John 20:26-28 (WEB)
26 After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Matthew is only mention in a few places of the Bible, and we do not know too much about him.
We do know that he was a tax collector, and chosen to be an Apostle. Matthew was referred to as Levi, so he could have belonged to the tribe of Levi.
There is no reference in the bible to being a martyr, though some believe he was.
Luke 5:27-29 (WEB)
27 After these things he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!” 28 He left everything, and rose up and followed him. 29 Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.
Not much is told of James, the son of Alphaeus, in scripture. What is known is after being selected as an Apostle by Jesus, James abandoned his possessions and became a dedicated teacher of The Gospel. James was instrumental in developing early Christianity in the Middle east and southern Africa.
1 Corinthians 15:6-8 (WEB) 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
The Apostle Thaddeus, who was also called Jude (10-R)
Thaddeus was also known as Judas, Jude and Lebbaeus. It is widely believed that Thaddaeus/Jude wrote the epistle of Jude, wherein he tells us that he was the brother of James.
We are uncertain of where Jude/Thadaeus died.
Jude 1-2 (WEB) Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
There is very little historical information about Simon. He was chosen by Jesus and one of the main Apostles and taught the Gospel in may locations. The term "Zealot" may mean that he had been a member of a Jewish sect, "The Zealots", who were in favor of overthrowing the Roman occupation of Israel.
Acts 1:13 (WEB) 31 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
The Apostle Simon, the Zealot - Bible Stories Channel
Not much is known about Judas Iscariot's early life from Scripture. There is some historical information indicating that he was from a town in Judea called Kerioth. He was personally chosen by Jesus as one of the original 12 Apostles. Judas Iscariot became the financial manager for the Apostles, but he developed a greedy nature and wanted all the money that was collected for himself. This greed became more evident when he had a feeling that Jesus knew what he was up to and he turned Jesus over to authorities that had been looking for him, in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.
John 18:1-5 (WEB) When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus said to them, “I am he.”
Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
Judas Iscarot - Rev. Grace Bukachi - CITAM Church Online
Not much is known about the early days of Matthias. He is unique as an Apostle because he is the only one that was not personally chosen by Jesus. His ministry included teaching in coastal areas of the Caspian Sea as well as in what is modern day Georgia. There are conflicting historical accounts of his death, but at the ruins of the Roman fortress at Apsaros in the modern Georgian region of Adjara there is a marker that claims that Matthias is buried at that site.
Acts 1:23-26 (WEB)
23 They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” 26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
The Replacement Apostle, Matthias - Narration by Gideon Films
