Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church: General Audiences, 15 March 2006-14 February 2007

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 163 pages
• Published by: Ignatius Press August 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1586172204
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1586172206
• Book Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 12 ounces

Product Description
Based on Pope Benedict XVI's weekly teaching on the relationship between Christ and the Church, this book tells the drama of Jesus' first disciples -- his Apostles and their associates -- and how they spread Jesus' message throughout the ancient world. Far from distorting the truth about Jesus of Nazareth, insists Pope Benedict, the early disciples remained faithful to it, even at the cost of their lives.

Beginning with the Twelve as the foundation of Jesus' re-establishment of the Holy People of God, Pope Benedict looks at the story of the early followers of Christ. He draws on Scripture and early tradition to consider such important figures as Peter, Andrew, James and John, and even Judas Iscariot. Benedict moves beyond the original Twelve to discuss Paul of Tarsus, the persecutor of Christianity who became one of Jesus' greatest disciples. Also considered are Stephen, the first Christian martyr, Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, the wife and husband "team" of Priscilla and Aquila, and such key women figures as Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Phoebe.

Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church is a fascinating journey back to the origins of Christianity. It reveals how Jesus' earliest disciples faithfully conveyed the truth about the "Jesus of history" and how they laid the foundations for the Church, through whom people today can know the same Jesus.

Reader Reviews
I took Amazon's suggestion and bought this book with "The Apostles." They are the same book, just arranged differently. Here, each discussion is presented separately, while in "The Apostles" the discussions are grouped by apostle. Otherwise, this book is excellent. Pope Benedict's writing is clear, easy to follow, and personal. He is a great source for the study of Christianity and Christian theology.