Chapter 2—The Training of the Twelve
For the carrying on of His work, Christ did not choose the learning
or eloquence of the Jewish Sanhedrin or the power of Rome. Passing
by the self-righteous Jewish teachers, the Master Worker chose humble,
unlearned men to proclaim the truths that were to move the world.
These men He purposed to train and educate as the leaders of His
church. They in turn were to educate others and send them out with
the gospel message. That they might have success in their work they
were to be given the power of the Holy Spirit. Not by human might or
human wisdom was the gospel to be proclaimed, but by the power of
God.
For three years and a half the disciples were under the instruction
of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. By personal contact
and association, Christ trained them for His service. Day by day they
walked and talked with Him, hearing His words of cheer to the weary
and heavy-laden, and seeing the manifestation of His power in behalf
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of the sick and the afflicted. Sometimes He taught them, sitting among
them on the mountainside; sometimes beside the sea or walking by
the way, He revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Wherever
hearts were open to receive the divine message, He unfolded the truths
of the way of salvation. He did not command the disciples to do this
or that, but said, “Follow Me.” On His journeys through country and
cities, He took them with Him, that they might see how He taught the
people. They traveled with Him from place to place. They shared His
frugal fare, and like Him were sometimes hungry and often weary. On
the crowded streets, by the lakeside, in the lonely desert, they were
with Him. They saw Him in every phase of life.
It was at the ordination of the Twelve that the first step was taken
in the organization of the church that after Christ’s departure was to
carry on His work on the earth. Of this ordination the record says, “He
goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and
they came unto Him. And He ordained twelve, that they should be
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