The Twelve Apostles
Jesus called his twelve disciples to come to him. He gave them power over evil spirits, so they could force these spirits to leave people and heal every kind of disease and sickness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: First was Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew. Then there was James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. There was also Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. The group included Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus.
The Mission of the Twelve
Jesus sent out these twelve disciples with specific instructions. "Don't take the roads that lead to non-Jewish people," he told them, "and don't go into any Samaritan towns. Instead, go to the people of Israel who are like lost sheep wandering without a shepherd. As you travel, tell everyone this message: 'God's kingdom is coming near.' Heal people who are sick, bring the dead back to life, make those with skin diseases clean again, and force out evil spirits. You received these abilities as a gift, so give them away as a gift too. Don't take any gold, silver, or copper coins with you. Don't pack a travel bag, don't bring an extra shirt, don't take sandals or a walking stick. The people you help should provide what you need to live, because a worker deserves to be taken care of. When you go into any town or village, find out which people there will treat you well, and stay in their house until you leave that place. When you go into someone's home, wish peace and blessing on everyone who lives there. If the family treats you well, let your blessing of peace stay with them. But if they don't treat you well, take your blessing back. If anyone refuses to welcome you into their home or won't listen to what you have to say, leave that house or town and shake the dust off your feet as you go. I'm telling you the truth: on the day when God judges everyone, it will be easier for the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah than for any town that rejects you."
Persecution and Endurance
"Listen carefully," Jesus told them. "I am sending you out like sheep walking into a pack of wolves. You must be as clever as snakes and as pure as doves. Be on guard against people, because they will drag you before their religious courts and whip you in their places of worship. Because you follow me, you will be brought before governors and kings to speak about me to them and to non-Jewish people. "When they arrest you, don't worry about what you will say or how you will defend yourself. At that moment, you will be given the right words to speak. It won't really be you talking—it will be your Father's Spirit speaking through you. "Brothers will hand their own brothers over to be killed, and fathers will do the same to their children. Children will turn against their parents and cause their death. Everyone will hate you because you belong to me. But whoever holds on and doesn't give up until the end will be rescued. "When they chase you out of one town, run to another town. I promise you this: you won't have time to visit all the towns in Israel before the Son of Man returns."
Fear God, Not Men
A student is never greater than his teacher, and a servant is never above his master. It should be enough for a student to become like his teacher, and for a servant to become like his master. If people have called the head of the household Satan, how much worse will they speak of the members of his family? But don't let this make you afraid of them. Everything that is now hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is secret will be made known to everyone. What I'm telling you now in private, you must speak about openly in broad daylight. What I'm whispering to you quietly, you must shout from the rooftops for everyone to hear. Don't be afraid of people who can kill your body but have no power to kill your soul. Instead, be afraid of God, who has the power to destroy both your soul and your body in hell. Think about this: aren't two small sparrows sold in the market for just one penny? They're almost worthless. Yet not a single sparrow falls to the ground and dies without your heavenly Father knowing about it. God cares about even the smallest details of your life—he has counted every single hair on your head. So don't be afraid. You are worth far more to God than many sparrows.
Acknowledging Christ Before Men
"Therefore, if anyone openly acknowledges me in front of other people, I will also acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone refuses to acknowledge me in front of other people, I will also refuse to acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven."
Not Peace but Division
Don't think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I didn't come to bring peace—I came to bring a sword. I have come to set a man against his own father, a daughter against her own mother, and a daughter-in-law against her own mother-in-law. A person's enemies will be the people living in his own house. If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy to be mine. If you love your son or daughter more than you love me, you are not worthy to be mine. And if you won't pick up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy to be mine. Whoever tries to save his life will lose it. But whoever gives up his life because of me will save it.
Rewards for Receiving Disciples
When someone welcomes you, they are welcoming me. And when someone welcomes me, they are welcoming the One who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet simply because he is a prophet will receive the same reward that a prophet receives. Anyone who welcomes a good and righteous person simply because he is righteous will receive the same reward that a righteous person receives. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these humble followers of mine, simply because that person belongs to me, I promise you this: that person will certainly receive their reward.