Chapter 2: The Training of the Twelve

Chapter 2: The Training of the Twelve 

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.

*By personal contact and association, Christ trained them for His service.
*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."
*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 with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach." Mark 3:13, 14. 

During His earthly ministry Christ began to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to all mankind.
*Behold the Majesty of heaven surrounded by the Twelve whom He has chosen. He is about to set them apart for their work.

*As in the Old Testament the twelve patriarchs stood as representatives of Israel, so the twelve apostles stand as representatives of the gospel church.
*In these first disciples was presented marked diversity. They were to be the world's teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character. In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these men, differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ's object to secure. To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father." John 14:12.
*After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so

--filled with love for Him 

--and for those for whom He died, 

that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the prayers they offered.

*Christ had finished the work that was given Him to do. 

He had gathered out those who were to continue His work among men. He said: "I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are." John 17:10, 11.