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The twelve desciples

When Jesus grew up, he left Nazareth and moved to a town called Capernaum by Lake Gennesaret in Galilee . In those days the lake was sometimes also called the Sea of Galilee . So, the prophecy of Isaiah came true: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Many people from different places followed him. He taught them and healed those who were sick.

Andrew and his brother Simon, who was also called Peter, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee . When Jesus saw them, he said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." This meant that he would send them to preach the Good News, so that the people listening to them would know the truth. Andrew and Peter left their nets and started following Jesus. Going on from there, Jesus saw two other brothers - James and John. They were in a boat with their father, Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. In the same way all the other disciples started following Jesus immediately when he called them. Jesus gave them power to heal illnesses and to cast out evil spirits.

So Jesus appointed twelve-designating them apostles-that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. These were the twelve he appointed: Simon, Andrew, John, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus. All the disciples were ordinary men, but God gave them the joy of being friends and disciples of Jesus Christ - God's Son. Matthew 4:12-22; Mark 3:13-19.