Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church

By: Pope Benedict XVI

Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien

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 examines 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.

©2015 Ignatius Press (P)2023 Ignatius Press

Wonderful overview

I loved this short introduction to the apostles. It was so enthralling that it seemed to go by too quickly.

Simple yet profound, short vignettes

Really great audiobook to simply play one chapter at a time and just listen. Nothing groundbreaking, but a lot of holy moments within.

All of Joseph Ratzinger's works are essential reading

While Introduction to Christianity is Theologically dense; Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church provides a brief, elegant and concise insight into the early followers of Christ for all readers.

Actual events. DefinedJaames not brother of Jesus

Liked the=even pace of narrator . Did not like the start , just want the real history.