Seventy Disciples 

In 29 CE, Jesus selected seventy evangelists, including former apostles of John the Baptist and distinguished disciples, from a gathering of over 150 at the Magadan camp. Intensively trained from November 4 to November 19, they received teachings from Jesus in the mornings and specialized sessions in the afternoons led by the apostles. On a rainy Sabbath afternoon, November 19, more than 400 believers witnessed the Seventy's ordination at the Sea of Galilee. After an inspiring message from Jesus and a sermon by Peter, the Seventy were ordained as messengers of the kingdom. Embarking on a six-week mission, they preached across Galilee, Samaria, and Judea, returning to the camp near Pella in Perea on Friday, December 30, where they shared their successful experiences with Jesus.

In Bethlehem, Jesus spent many hours instructing Abner and other former followers of John the Baptist. Because of the courage Jesus displayed in public preaching, and his intimate, sympathetic attitude when meeting with these followers, each of these associates of Abner wholeheartedly accepted the teachings of the kingdom and all that these teachings implied.

Before leaving, the Master made arrangements for them all to join him in the united effort which was to precede the ending of his earth career in the flesh. Jesus and Abner, along with his associates, arranged to meet with the apostles in Magadan Park in order to begin to labor as one organization.

As well as the twelve apostles and the Women’s Corps, Jesus selected seventy evangelists to preach and teach. These believers were chosen from more than 150 disciples who had come from all parts of Palestine to the camp at Magadan, plus Abner and the group of fifty disciples who had come from Bethlehem.

These seventy tried and true believers were intensively trained by Jesus and the apostles. This corps consisted of Abner and ten of the former apostles of John, fifty-one of the earlier evangelists, and eight other disciples who had distinguished themselves in the service of the kingdom. Abner was appointed leader of this company.

Their training, which took place from November 4 to November 19, 29 CE, was organized into different sessions. In the morning, Jesus spoke to them. During the afternoon sessions, Peter taught them how to preach to groups, Nathaniel taught the art of teaching, and Thomas explained how to answer questions. Matthew assisted the group in organizing their finances, and the other apostles also contributed their understanding of the gospel and teaching methods, each according to his understanding.

On a rainy Sabbath afternoon, November 19, 29 CE, just after 2 o’clock, a company of believers numbering more than 400 gathered on the shores of the Sea of Galilee to witness the ordination of the Seventy. David Zebedee and the majority of his messenger corps attended the ceremony as well.

Jesus addressed them, saying, “The harvest is indeed plenteous, but the laborers are few; therefore I exhort all of you to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send still other laborers into his harvest. I am about to set you apart as messengers of the kingdom… Be as wise as serpents while you are also as harmless as doves…Everywhere you go, preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand,’ and minister to all who may be sick in either mind or body. Freely you have received of the good things of the kingdom; freely give…He who hears you hears me. And he who hears me hears Him who sent me. He who rejects your gospel message rejects me. And he who rejects me rejects Him who sent me.” The Seventy knelt in a circle about him, and, beginning with Abner, Jesus laid his hands on every person.

Sending the Seventy Out Two by Two

Early on the day that the Seventy went forth to preach on their first mission, Jesus spoke to them, emphasizing the following: The gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed to all the world, to gentile as well as to Jew; while ministering to the sick, refrain from teaching the expectation of miracles; proclaim a spiritual brotherhood of the sons of God, not an outward kingdom of worldly power and material glory; make clear to all faithful believers that the time for an open break with the religious leaders of the Jews at Jerusalem has now come; and teach that man’s whole duty is summed up in this one commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself.

After Jesus spoke to them, Peter preached to them an ordination sermon, modeling his words after the apostles’ own ordination sermon, exhorting them to cherish in their experience the following virtues: consecrated devotion, true courage, faith and trust, zeal and initiative, kindness and courtesy, and ministry to the sick.

Two by two, these messengers of the kingdom went out to preach in all the cities of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. They taught for about six weeks, reconvening at the new camp near Pella in Perea on Friday, December 30.

Upon their return, these seventy messengers, accompanied by numerous believers, arrived at the Pella headquarters and were assembled at the teaching site about five o’clock when Jesus, Peter, James, and John returned to the camp from the nearby hills. The evening meal was delayed for more than an hour while these enthusiasts for the gospel of the kingdom told of their experiences. David’s messengers had brought much of this news to the apostles during previous weeks, but it was truly inspiring to hear these newly ordained teachers of the gospel personally tell how their message had been received by hungry Jews and gentiles alike. At last, Jesus was able to see men and women going out to spread the good news without his personal presence. The Master now knew that he could leave this world without seriously hindering the progress of the kingdom.

The seventy related that they had successfully cured nervous disorders, which included a few real cases of spirit possession, saying “even the devils were subject to them.” Jesus answered, “As soon as I return to my Father, we will send forth our spirits into the very minds of men so that no more can these few lost spirits enter the minds of unfortunate mortals. I rejoice with you that you have power with men, but be not lifted up because of this experience but rather rejoice that your names are written on the rolls of heaven, and that you are thus to go forward in an endless career of spiritual conquest.”

On the following day, while addressing these disciples, Jesus said, “You have entered upon this great work of teaching mortal man that he is a son of God. I have shown you the way; go forth to do your duty and be not weary in well doing. To you and to all who shall follow in your steps down through the ages, let me say: I always stand near, and my invitation-call is, and ever shall be, Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am true and loyal, and you shall find spiritual rest for your souls.”

And when they put his promises to the test, they found the Master’s words to be true. Since that day, countless thousands also have tested and proved the surety of these same promises.