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The '''Twelve Apostles''' or The Twelve Disciples were the twelve followers of [[Jesus]] while He walked the earth.  Jesus called each of them to Him at the start of His earthly ministry and they followed Him during the three years of his teaching.  While making many gaffes and having difficulty understanding all that Jesus was, after His [[crucifixion]] and [[Resurrection]] and the imparting of the [[Holy Spirit]], they became men of great valor and the forefathers of [[Christianity]]. The four initial Apostles were [[Peter]], Andrew, James and [[John]].

The '''Twelve Apostles''' or The Twelve Disciples were the twelve followers of [[Jesus]] while He walked the [[earth]].  Jesus called each of them to Him at the start of His earthly ministry and they followed Him during the three years of his teaching.  While making many gaffes and having difficulty understanding all that Jesus was, after His [[crucifixion]] and [[Resurrection]] and the imparting of the [[Holy Spirit]], they became men of great valor and the forefathers of [[Christianity]]. The four initial Apostles were [[Peter]], Andrew, James and [[John]].

'''''The Apostles were ethnic rivals of each other''''': two were likely [[Samaritans]] ([[John the Apostle|John]] and James), at least one Greek ([[Philip]]), and among the others were [[Jewish]] (e.g., [[Matthew]]) and [[Gentiles]].  The repeated references throughout the [[synoptic Gospels]] about how many of the Apostles did not observe [[Jewish]] customs, such as honoring the [[Sabbath]] or doing religious hand-washing, confirm that they were ethnically diverse. The [[miracle]] of [[Jesus]] is illustrated by the unanimity<ref>[[Judas]] betrayed Jesus but while accepting his divinity.</ref> of the Apostles despite their ethnic diversity.  

'''''The Apostles were ethnic rivals of each other''''': two were likely [[Samaritans]] ([[John the Apostle|John]] and James), at least one Greek ([[Philip]]), and among the others were [[Jewish]] (e.g., [[Matthew]]) and [[Gentiles]].  The repeated references throughout the [[synoptic Gospels]] about how many of the Apostles did not observe [[Jewish]] customs, such as honoring the [[Sabbath]] or doing religious hand-washing, confirm that they were ethnically diverse. The [[miracle]] of [[Jesus]] is illustrated by the unanimity<ref>[[Judas]] betrayed Jesus but while accepting his divinity.</ref> of the Apostles despite their ethnic diversity.