m as they witnessed for His Son, would echo from
generation to generation till the close of time.
The disciples were to go forth as Christ’s witnesses, to
declare to the world what they had seen and heard of Him.
Their office was the most important to which human beings
had ever been called, second only to that of Christ Himself.
They were to be workers together with God for the saving
of men. As in the Old Testament the twelve patriarchs stood
as representatives of Israel, so the twelve apostles stand as
representatives of the gospel church.
During His earthly ministry Christ began to break down
the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach
salvation to all mankind. Though He was a Jew, He mingled
freely with the Samaritans, setting at nought the Pharisaic
customs of the Jews with regard to this despised people. He
slept under their roofs, ate at their tables, and taught in their
streets.
The Saviour longed to unfold to His disciples the truth
regarding the breaking down of the “middle wall of partition”
between Israel and the other nations—the truth that “the
Gentiles should be fellow heirs” with the Jews and “partakers
of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephesians 2:14;
3:6. This truth was revealed in part at the time when He
rewarded the faith of the centurion at Capernaum, and also
when He preached the gospel to the inhabitants of Sychar.
Still more plainly was it revealed on the occasion of His
visit to Phoenicia, when He healed the daughter of the
Canaanite woman. These experiences helped the d
