The 13th Apostle

By Paul Murphy and Paul Murphy

Book Overview

In the streets of an ancient city, a young beggar emerges as...The 13th Apostle

The year is 33 A.D. Amid the political unrest of ancient Jerusalem, a young street beggar becomes a voice for truth in his community. Schooled in Judaism by a kindly old baker, Gamaliel embraces the teachings of Jesus. He wins his opponents over with his uncanny knack of applying Jesus' parables to everyday life. Emotions run high when Gamaliel learns of the Pharisees' plot against Jesus and he desperately tries to warn Him of the impending danger. Intrigue, suspense, and miracles abound as Gamaliel pursues his mission.

"The 13th Apostle is a jewel that sparkles with love and grace. Gamaliel is each one of us who has ever wished he had met Jesus personally. And for those of you who have met him, you will find yourself in this wonderful story."

-Lou Tartaglia, MD, author, The Great Wing

"The 13th Apostle takes readers back into the daily life of Jesus' followers, friends, and opponents during the last week of His life and beyond. An unforgettable street urchin emerges as a disciple more faithful than any of the twelve. It's a wonderful trip for readers into the very heart of the Christian movement."

-Walter Harrelson, Professor Emeritus, Vanderbilt University

"I recommend The 13th Apostle to anyone who is even slightly curious about what a face-to-face meeting with Jesus might be like. This book is powerful, warm, and endlessly engaging. You'll find yourself cheering for Gamaliel."

-Greg Lehman, Director, Young Life

Filled with warmth, humor, and adventure, The 13th Apostle was written especially for young people (while appealing to all ages). It powerfully depicts how a motivated teen can have an impact beyond his years or experience. Gamaliel's example will inspire young people everywhere to do great things for God

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1956365745
• ISBN13: 9781956365740
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: River Birch Press
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The 13th Apostle

This book is inspiring! The main character Gamaliel will remind the reader that all things are possible with God. I don't want to give the entire story away but it is uplifting to see Gamaliel who becomes homeless as a child, remain so faithful to God and as a result have his life become more amazing then he could have imagined. While it is a great book for people in their teens, it contains wonderful messages for adults. Paul Murphy does a superb job simply communicating the sacrifice Jesus made for us and clarifying items from scripture that still confuse people today like what did Jesus mean when he talked about the creation of a new kingdom and freeing people from oppression. Through the characters in this book, Paul explains that the creation of a new kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that Jesus rules and the freedom from oppression is about how God protects us from our enemies. I highly recommend this book to people of all ages.

An inspirational character

When I started to read the 13th Apostle I immediatly got hooked. Even though I knew the story surrounding Jesus' death, to hear about it through the eyes of this amazing character, Gamaliel, made the story completely new. Gamaliel's faith and his love for life and all those in it made me think about the person I want to be. The book wasn't just about this important time in history, but about believing in the goodness in people and caring for all living things. Gamaliel is an inspiring character and this book was incredible to read.

Personal Adventure Story

This book is awesome! It is a fictional account of a young man and his friends during the time immediately after Christ's crucifixion. Paul Murphy is a great story teller. This story is a must read for teenagers. Not only is it entertaining, it brings life, adventure and imagination to the New Testament. Well worth it. Highly Recommended.

A New Perspective on the Old Story

This book is a must-read for teens and adults alike. Paul Murphy combines Biblical fact and fiction to give us a wonderful look into the beginnings of Christianity. We see Jesus' final days from the perspective of a young believer, Gamaliel. Through this young boy's words and deeds, Paul Murphy teaches us the Christ-like character we should all aspire to. The story helps to personalize the stories from the Bible. As we identify with Gamaliel, we are transported back to those early days, and we witness from a "first-hand" perspective the events that changed the course of the world.

What if there had been a 13th Apostle?

If you enjoy wondering what if, this is the book for you. What if there had been a young boy who had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Christ? What might have happened? Paul Murphy has created Gamaliel to give us another view of early Christianity. The story is fast paced, easy to read, and leaves you wanting to know what happens next. I hope Mr. Murphy writes the next chapters soon!