The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

THE FIRST MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT
OF FISHES
Luke v.
i-ii.
Three stages at least in the call of the principal
Apostles are now generally recognised.
The first occurred during the Judaean ministry,
when John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel
were attracted to the Lord, and came forward
as His disciples (John i. 35-51). At this period,
however, they would seem to have been only occasional
followers, and, when not actually with Jesus,
continued to carry on their former occupations.
The second stage was reached, at least in the
case of the fisher -group of disciples, when by
the shores of the Sea of Galilee Jesus summoned
Peter and Andrew, James and John, to come after
Him, that He might make them fishers of men : and
they left all and followed Him (Matt. iv. 18-22 ;
Mark
i. 16-20). Their whole lives and interests were henceforth
devoted to Christ's service, and gradually they
were prepared for the highest call of all, the call to
Apostleship.
That came when, out of the great mass of His
disciples, Jesus chose the Twelve, " that they might be
with Him, and that He might send them forth to
preach, and to have authority to cast out devils " (Mark
iii. 14, 15). The foundations of the new Church were
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