Paper 148 Overview: Training Evangelists at Bethsaida

From May to October of the year 28, Jesus and his apostles lived at the Zebedee home in Bethsaida. During this time, a large camp was set up by the seaside where hundreds of people came to learn about the kingdom. David Zebedee managed the camp while the apostles taught groups of evangelists.

The apostles taught new believers about the gospel of the kingdom and trained over one hundred evangelists. Jesus spent much time alone "about the Father's business" during this period. He also had important conversations with his followers about prayer, suffering, and healing.

From May 3 to October 3 in the year 28, Jesus and the apostles stayed at the Zebedee home in Bethsaida. A large camp was set up nearby, with hundreds of people coming to learn about the kingdom. David Zebedee managed the camp, which was known for its good order and cleanliness.

The apostles would go fishing once a week and spent time teaching the new evangelists. The training followed a pattern where students learned in the morning and taught by the seaside in the afternoon. Jesus held weekly question sessions and sometimes spent time alone in the hills.

Peter, James, and Andrew chose who could join the school for evangelists. People from many countries came to this school, where they would learn in the morning and teach others by the seaside in the afternoon. Each evening, they would discuss what they had learned and taught.

Each apostle taught the gospel in his own way. Jesus did not make them all teach the same things in the same way. He allowed them to present different views of the kingdom based on their own experiences. About one hundred evangelists were trained during these five months.

Elman, a Syrian doctor, ran a hospital near the camp with the help of twenty-five young women and twelve men. They treated the sick using both regular medical methods and spiritual practices like prayer. Jesus visited the sick at least three times each week.

No dramatic supernatural healings happened at this hospital. Most patients got better through natural healing helped by faith and positive thinking. Elman tried to teach people that evil spirits did not cause sickness, but many people still believed this.

During this period, Jesus did not speak in public very often. He only spoke at the camp a few times and once in the Capernaum synagogue. Instead, he spent much time alone, saying he was "about the Father's business."

When Jesus went to the hills, he would take two apostles with him. Sometimes the apostles noticed Jesus' face changing as if he was talking to someone they could not see. They believed Jesus was communicating with heavenly beings during these times.

Two evenings each week, Jesus would talk privately with people in a corner of the Zebedee garden. One evening, Thomas asked Jesus about evil, sin, and being born of the spirit. Jesus explained the differences between evil, sin, and iniquity.

Jesus told Thomas that evil is accidentally breaking God's laws. Sin is knowingly breaking God's laws. Iniquity is repeatedly and deliberately breaking God's laws. He said people need the spirit rebirth to overcome evil tendencies, but even without it, they are still God's children.

In another private meeting, Nathaniel asked Jesus why God lets good people suffer. Jesus explained that much suffering comes from the natural order of the world being upset by rebellions against God. He said he came to begin fixing these problems.

Jesus told Nathaniel that God does not intentionally make people suffer. Many troubles come from people's own choices or from living in an imperfect world. He quoted many passages from scripture showing that God is compassionate to those who suffer and wants to help them.

John also asked Jesus why innocent people suffer. Jesus answered by talking about the story of Job from the Hebrew scriptures. He said Job's friends were wrong in thinking that suffering always comes as punishment for sin.

Jesus explained that the true value of Job's story was that Job, even in his suffering, reached a point where he could see God. This gave Job inner peace. Jesus said God does not willingly make people suffer. Instead, suffering comes from accidents, sin, and rebellion against God.

The second Sabbath before the evangelists left on their preaching tour, Jesus spoke in the Capernaum synagogue. After his talk, a man with a withered hand approached him, encouraged by the Pharisees who wanted to trap Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.

Jesus asked if it was lawful to help a sheep on the Sabbath, and then said it was even more important to help people. He healed the man's hand. The Pharisees were angry and went to complain to Herod, but Herod refused to act against Jesus.

During the last week at Bethsaida, the spies from Jerusalem became divided in their opinions about Jesus. Three of these Pharisees were impressed by Jesus. Meanwhile, a young member of the Sanhedrin named Abraham publicly accepted Jesus' teachings in Jerusalem.

A man claiming to be a prophet came to the camp and caused problems. Jesus allowed him freedom for a few days, but the man soon left. A wealthy Pharisee named Abraham gave all his possessions to the apostles, which helped send out the newly trained evangelists.

On the last day of the Bethsaida camp, Jesus was speaking to a large group including the six Pharisee spies. A paralyzed man was carried by his friends who, finding the house too crowded, lowered him through the roof to Jesus. The man asked Jesus to heal him.

Jesus forgave the man's sins and then healed him. The Pharisees thought Jesus was committing blasphemy by claiming to forgive sins. Jesus challenged them, saying if he could heal the man, he could also forgive sins. After this miracle, three of the six spying Pharisees believed in Jesus and were baptized.