First Work of the Twelve Apostles 

The apostles went through an apprenticeship program before beginning their full-time job as public servants, working to spread the gospel. They gained so much during this planning and preparation time. They went to work fishing to earn money for their enterprise. They figured out how to provide for their families. They learned what to teach and how to teach it to individuals. And most importantly, they learned much by observing Jesus and his approach to others.

Embarking on new responsibilities often involves a gradual introduction to tasks and mentorship from experienced individuals. Similarly, the apostles were introduced to their roles under Jesus’ direct supervision, which fostered strong bonds and loyalty among them. This preparatory stage ensured that their familial responsibilities were managed and that they were well-versed in the teachings they would later impart to others.

Jesus took his time with them to properly train, to get to know them, and to develop friendships and loyalties to one another and to the cause. He made sure they were prepared to begin. This meant that their families were provided for in their absence, they could finance their travels and teaching engagements, and they understood the lessons well enough to teach others. The apostles came to see the wisdom in this slow and steady approach when they looked back in hindsight at how much they accomplished during this period.

Jesus, understanding that they did not have enough money to sustain themselves, initiated a plan of fishing for two weeks and then doing personal work of talking to individuals for the next two weeks. They repeated this for more than five months. They commenced going out two by two near the middle of August, 26 CE. Andrew assigned the pairings, and Jesus was able to go out with each group at least once.

Jesus instructed them to preach the forgiveness of sin through faith in God, that is, without penance or sacrifice, and that the Father in heaven loves all of his children with the same eternal love. He asked that they avoid discussing the following topics:

1. The work and imprisonment of John the Baptist.
2. The voice at the baptism. Jesus said, “Only those who heard the voice may refer to it."
3. The turning of water into wine at Cana.

The common people were enthralled by the teaching and ministry of Jesus and the apostles. The rabbis taught that the ignorant could not be pious or righteous, their definition of unlearned being those who did not attend the rabbis’ schools. Here were Jesus’ apostles, both pious and righteous, and without a diploma to prove their knowledge.

Jesus taught that salvation was a change of mind by faith and not repentance through so-called good works. Jesus emphasized faith as the only requirement for the kingdom of heaven. This even parted from the preaching of John the Baptist regarding the repentance of sins to avoid the wrath to come. By faith alone, one can enter the door to the present, perfect, and eternal love of God. Jesus did not speak like a prophet declaring the word of God, but one whose authority resided in himself, as if God himself was speaking. Jesus desired to divert men’s minds from seeking miracles to recognizing the miracle within, the divine fragment of God within, overflowing with love and offering saving grace.

The apostles learned much by observing Jesus. He approached every person with profound respect and sympathetic understanding. It mattered not what they looked like or who they were. In the middle of a profound dissertation, a woman burdened in body or mind would pass by and Jesus would pause to give her comfort. He would stop a lecture to talk to a child. Indeed, every human who happened to be in his immediate presence won his undivided attention. Jesus offered himself to be the most important thing another human can hope for – a friend, a neighbor, and an understanding companion.

Jesus taught his apostles by questions and answers. He instructed the public by parables and short discourses, more like a classroom teacher. Jesus always answered any sincere questions. And his treatment of women was a shock to his apostles, let alone society; they were accorded equal rights with men in the kingdom.