The term "The Eleven Apostles" refers to the group of Jesus Christ's original disciples, excluding Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and subsequently died. After Judas' betrayal and death, the remaining apostles were often referred to as "the Eleven" until the selection of Matthias to replace Judas, restoring the number to twelve (Acts 1:26).

Composition of the Eleven Apostles:

1. Peter (Simon Peter): Often considered the leader of the apostles, Peter was a fisherman by trade and was known for his boldness and impetuous nature. Jesus gave him the name "Cephas" (Aramaic for "rock"), signifying his foundational role in the early Church (John 1:42).

2. James (son of Zebedee): Also known as James the Greater, he was the brother of John and part of Jesus' inner circle. James was the first of the apostles to be martyred, executed by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2).

3. John (son of Zebedee): The brother of James, John is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). He authored the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

4. Andrew: The brother of Peter, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist before following Jesus. He is known for bringing others, including his brother Peter, to Christ (John 1:40-42).

5. Philip: From Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew, Philip played a role in the feeding of the 5,000 and brought Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:43-46).

6. Bartholomew (Nathanael): Known for his initial skepticism about Jesus being the Messiah, Bartholomew was convinced after a personal encounter with Christ (John 1:47-49).

7. Matthew (Levi): A former tax collector, Matthew authored the Gospel that bears his name. His calling by Jesus is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's ministry (Matthew 9:9).

8. Thomas (Didymus): Often remembered for his doubt about Jesus' resurrection, Thomas' declaration of faith, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28), is a profound confession of Christ's divinity.

9. James (son of Alphaeus): Sometimes referred to as James the Less, little is known about him from the biblical texts, but he is listed among the apostles in the synoptic Gospels (Mark 3:18).

10. Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James): Also known as Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus is mentioned in the lists of apostles and is sometimes identified with Jude, the author of the Epistle of Jude (Luke 6:16).

11. Simon the Zealot: Known for his zeal, Simon was a member of the Zealots, a Jewish nationalist movement. His inclusion among the apostles highlights the diverse backgrounds of Jesus' followers (Luke 6:15).

Role and Mission:

The Eleven Apostles were commissioned by Jesus to spread the Gospel and establish the early Church. After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to them, providing final instructions and the Great Commission: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). They were empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, enabling them to perform miracles and preach with authority (Acts 2:1-4).

Significance in Early Christianity:

The Eleven Apostles played a crucial role in the foundation of the Christian Church. Their teachings and writings form a significant portion of the New Testament, and their missionary efforts led to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Their lives and martyrdoms serve as enduring testimonies to their faith and dedication to Jesus Christ.