What Did the Apostles Teach the Multitudes? 

During Jesus' ministry, the apostles taught a profound concept of the kingdom of heaven that transcended any earthly or political reality. While many who heard Jesus' message anticipated a physical kingdom that would liberate them from foreign rule and restore Israel's sovereignty, Jesus and his apostles conveyed that the kingdom of heaven was an internal, spiritual state – a fellowship with God that could be entered individually, irrespective of earthly conditions. This understanding marked a transformative shift for the multitudes, whose expectations had long been shaped by historical hopes of a worldly kingdom.

The apostles explained that the kingdom was not a visible institution but a living relationship with God grounded in personal faith and a commitment to spiritual growth. This inner kingdom brought individuals peace, purpose, and a new moral compass aligned with divine values. Rather than waiting for external events or signs, Jesus taught that people could experience the kingdom here and now by developing a personal, loving relationship with the Father. This teaching of an immediate, spiritual kingdom set a tone of personal transformation that was entirely independent of external circumstances or societal status. It was, fundamentally, a kingdom of the heart, encouraging followers to seek God within and to allow that divine connection to transform their lives from the inside out.

Another revolutionary teaching was the concept of God as a loving and compassionate Father rather than a distant, judgmental figure. The apostles presented God as intimately involved in each person's life, desiring a personal and direct relationship with them. This compassionate portrayal was radically different from the often punitive images of deities prevalent in their time, where people typically saw the gods as beings to be feared, appeased, or obeyed strictly through religious rules and rituals.

The apostles shared Jesus' message that God’s nature is inherently kind and forgiving, and that he welcomes all who seek him sincerely. Jesus' portrayal of God as a loving Father who actively seeks the well-being and growth of each of his children challenged conventional views and encouraged a dynamic, trusting relationship. This message emphasized God’s boundless forgiveness and desire for each soul’s spiritual progress, promoting a faith based on love rather than fear. The apostles urged the multitudes to open themselves to this intimate, compassionate connection, which was available to everyone, regardless of social status, ethnicity, or past mistakes. It was a call to view God as a parent whose grace is continually available, a revolutionary and deeply comforting concept for people who had often felt unworthy of divine love.

A central theme in Jesus' teachings, reinforced by the apostles, was the concept of universal brotherhood. By identifying God as a loving Father, Jesus emphasized that all humans are, in essence, siblings. This teaching held profound implications for social unity, challenging the divisions that had long characterized human society, from tribal and racial distinctions to class-based separations. The apostles encouraged followers to view each person as part of a vast spiritual family wherein everyone, regardless of background, could live as equals under God’s love.

In a time of significant social stratification, this message was transformative. The apostles taught that genuine brotherhood was more than a theoretical idea; it required the breakdown of social divides and a commitment to understanding and unity. Followers of Jesus’ teachings were encouraged to see beyond differences and to interact with others in a spirit of goodwill and acceptance. This call for unity was not only socially radical but spiritually foundational. By living in harmony with each other, believers demonstrated the very principles of the kingdom of heaven, serving as living examples of what it meant to live under God’s guidance. This emphasis on brotherhood laid the groundwork for a new social ethic, one that prioritized love, forgiveness, and solidarity as expressions of divine will.

For the apostles, righteousness was not about strict adherence to religious law or dogma but a way of life that reflected one’s inner commitment to God. Jesus had taught that true righteousness is aligned with God’s will and is visible in actions marked by love, mercy, and ethical integrity. This was a departure from conventional religious practices that emphasized ritual purity and legalistic obedience. Instead, Jesus taught, and the apostles emphasized, that real righteousness comes from a transformed heart, one that naturally produces kindness, humility, and compassion.

Service to others became a cornerstone of the apostles' message. They taught that greatness in the kingdom is defined not by status or wealth but by one’s willingness to serve others. Jesus had modeled this principle throughout his ministry, often attending to the needs of those who were marginalized and forgotten. His example became a guiding ideal for the apostles, who encouraged followers to emulate this spirit of service. This service-oriented perspective challenged societal norms, particularly in a world where social hierarchies were rigidly maintained. The apostles called for a new kind of greatness, one defined by humility, empathy, and the active effort to uplift others.

After Jesus' death, the apostles experienced a significant shift in focus as they spread his teachings to broader audiences. While they had previously emphasized the kingdom of heaven, spiritual fellowship, and moral transformation, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection became central to their message. Now, they found themselves proclaiming the story of his resurrection as a confirmation of eternal life and a divine endorsement of his identity and teachings. For many of Jesus' followers, the resurrection was seen as evidence of God’s power over death and a promise of life beyond the grave. This new emphasis on Jesus' resurrection offered comfort and hope, especially to those who feared death or were uncertain about the future.

Yet, this shift created a subtle division within the apostles' message. Some, like Peter and James (the brother of Jesus), and later Paul, emphasized Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection as the focal point of their teaching. They presented Jesus as the risen savior whose triumph over death was a divine act of redemption. This perspective resonated with those who found hope in the promise of eternal life, linking Jesus' resurrection with their own assurance of life after death. However, others felt that the message of the kingdom – Jesus’ teachings about inner transformation, the love of God, and the brotherhood of humanity – should remain central. These followers, led by Abner, advocated for a continued focus on the practical and ethical dimensions of Jesus' teachings, believing that these were the core of his message to humanity.

This division reflected a tension between the metaphysical significance of Jesus’ resurrection and the practical teachings he imparted during his life. While one group found in his resurrection a powerful message of hope and divine victory, the other sought to uphold the original gospel of the kingdom, which emphasized spiritual growth, unity, and service. This divergence would influence early Christian communities, shaping the development of doctrine and the eventual establishment of a faith that sought to balance both the teachings of the kingdom and the story of Jesus' resurrection.

In the years following Jesus’ ascension, the apostles’ message evolved, expanding to address the diverse needs of their growing audience. They continued to teach about the kingdom of heaven, a compassionate God, universal brotherhood, righteousness, and service, while increasingly emphasizing Jesus' resurrection as the cornerstone of their faith. This dual focus on Jesus’ life teachings and his resurrection allowed early Christian communities to connect the practical aspects of his message with the spiritual assurance of eternal life.

The apostles’ teachings laid the foundation for a movement that emphasized both ethical living and faith in the promise of eternal fellowship with God. Ultimately, Paul’s version of Christianity prevailed over Abner’s because it adapted Jesus' teachings to resonate with the broader Greco-Roman audience, emphasizing salvation through Jesus’ resurrection rather than the original focus on inner spiritual transformation, which ultimately appealed to a wider and more diverse population.