THE DREAM TEAM

The 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team nicknamed the "Dream Team," was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from The National Basketball Association. The team has been described by American and Internal journalists as the greatest sports team ever assembled.

The O.J. Simpson murder case, according to USA Today, this case has been described as the "most publicized" criminal trial in history. O.J. Simpson was represented by a high-profiled defense team, also referred to as the "Dream Team,"

When Jesus walked this dusty earth, He selected a "Dream Team." They were His twelve disciples. The names of the twelve disciples of Jesus are Simon Peter, Andrew, James (the son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.

The twelve disciple/apostles of Jesus were the foundation stones of the Church, several even wrote portions of the Bible. Revelation 21:14 says this about Jesus' disciples, "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

Peter, known as Simon Peter, was the son of Jonas. He was a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum. He did evangelistic and missionary work. He was the author of two New Testament epistles which bears his name, 1 Peter and 2 Peter. He was crucified, upside down on a cross, in Rome.

James, (the elder), son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of John the Apostle. He was a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem. The New Testament tells us very little about James. His name never appears apart from his brother, John. He was the first of the twelve to become a martyr.

John, son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of James, the Apostle. He is known as the Beloved Disciple. He wrote the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. He preached among the churches of Asia Minor. He was banished to the Isle of Patmos. He was later freed and died a natural death.

Andrew was the brother of Peter, and a son of Jonas. He lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum and was a fisherman before Jesus called him. Originally he was a disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus. He was arrested and condemned to die on the cross, but he felt unworthy to be crucified on the same shaped cross as Jesus. So, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is still called Saint Andrew's cross and which is one of his apostolic symbols.

Bartholomew or Nathanel, son of Talmai, lived in Cana of Galilee. A number of scholars believe that he was the only of the 12 disciples who came from royal blood, or noble birth. His name means Son of Tolmai or Talmai (2 Samuel 3:3). Talmai was king of Geshur whose daughter, Maacah, was the wife of David, mother of Absolom. He died as a martyr. He was flayed alive with knives.

James, the Lesser or Younger, son of Alpheus, or Cleophas and Mary, lived in Galilee. He was the brother of the Apostle Jude. He wrote the Epistle of James, preached in Palestine and Egypt and was crucified in Egypt. He was sawn in pieces.

Judas Iscariot, the traitor, was the son of Simon who lived in Kerioth of Judah. He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and afterwards hanged himself. It is said that Judas came from Judah near Jericho. He was a Judean and the rest of the disciples were Galileans. He was the treasurer of the disciples.

Jude, Thaddeus, or Lebbeus, son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary. He was a brother of James the Younger. It is said that Jude went to preach the gospel in Edessa near the Euphrates River. There he healed men, and many believed in the name of Jesus. His surname was Thaddeus. In Luke 6:16 he is called Judas, the brother of James. Judas Thaddeus also was called Judas the Zealot. He died a martyr in Persia. He was killed by arrows.

Matthew, or Levi, son of Alpheus, lived in Capernaum. He was a publican or tax collector. He wrote the Gospel that bears his name, Matthew. Tax collectors were regarded as criminals. Tax collectors had been known to assess duty payable at impossible sums and then offer to lend the money to travelers at a high rate of interest. Yet, Jesus chose a man, that all men hated, and made him one of His disciples. Only Jesus could see his potential. He was martyr and died in Ethiopia.

Philip came from Bethsaida, the town from which Peter and Andrew came. The Gospel of John shows Philip as the first to whom Jesus addressed the words, "Follow Me." When Philip met Christ, he immediately found Nathanael and told him that "we have found him, of whom Moses... and the prophets, did write." It is said that he died by hanging. While he was dying, he requested that his body be wrapped not in linen but in papyrus for he was not worthy, that even his dead body should be treated as the body of Jesus had been treated.

Simon, the Zealot, one of the little known followers called the Canaanite or Zelotes, lived in Galilee. In two places in the Bible, he is call Simon Zelotes. He died as a martyr.

Thomas Didymus lived in Galilee. Thomas was his Hebrew name and Didymus was his Greek name. He is also known as "doubting Thomas." He was a man who could not believe until he had seen. When Jesus rose, he came back and invited Thomas to put his finger in the nail prints in his hands and in his side. He was killed with a spear as a martyr for Jesus.

Who replaced Judas Iscariot? Matthias was selected to replace Judas as recorded in Acts 1:15-16. Lots were cast and eventually Matthias was chosen.

What a "Dream Team!" Can you be part of a Dream Team?" Yes, you can! The Bible says that as children of God, we are heirs, also joint heirs with Jesus Christ. "And if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." ( Romans 8:17)

As His children, we have "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade and its kept in heaven. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God is the natural "heir" of the Father, and when we accepted Him as our Savior, we became His children; therefore, we became co-heirs. Christ is willing to share His inheritance with us as God's adopted children. On that note, when heaven becomes our home, the "Dream Team" will welcome us in, with loving arms.

Wow, it's nothing like being part of a "Dream Team!"