Quest for the Historical Apostles: Tracing Their Lives and Legacies

The stories and contributions of the apostles provide a fascinating entrée into church history. Shelton's comprehensive historical and literary introduction uncovers their lives and legacies—underscoring each one's impact on the growth of the early church. He collects and distills the histories, legends, symbols, and iconography of the original twelve and locates figures such as Paul, Peter, and John in the broader context of the history of the apostles. Shelton also explores the continuing story of the gospel mission and the twelve disciples beyond the New Testament.

While Quest for the Historical Apostles is written primarily with undergraduate and graduate students in mind, it is written and presented in a manner that makes it accessible to anyone desiring to explore and understand the stories of the apostles. This is an invaluable resource that consolidates a breadth of material into a single work allowing the reader to connect the New Testament with studies in early Christianity and the church.