Changes

144:6.2 By the beginning of the second week of this month, [[Abner]] had assembled all of his [[associates]] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gilboa Gilboa] camp and was [[prepared]] to go into [[council]] with [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]]. For three weeks these twenty-four men were in session three times a day and for six days each week. The first week [[Jesus]] mingled with them between their forenoon, afternoon, and evening sessions. They wanted [[the Master]] to meet with them and preside over their joint deliberations, but he [[steadfastly]] refused to [[participate]] in their [[discussions]], though he did [[consent]] to speak to them on [[three]] occasions. These talks by [[Jesus]] to the twenty-four were on [[sympathy]], [[co-operation]], and [[tolerance]].

144:6.2 By the beginning of the second week of this month, [[Abner]] had assembled all of his [[associates]] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gilboa Gilboa] camp and was [[prepared]] to go into [[council]] with [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]]. For three weeks these twenty-four men were in session three times a day and for six days each week. The first week [[Jesus]] mingled with them between their forenoon, afternoon, and evening sessions. They wanted [[the Master]] to meet with them and preside over their joint deliberations, but he [[steadfastly]] refused to [[participate]] in their [[discussions]], though he did [[consent]] to speak to them on [[three]] occasions. These talks by [[Jesus]] to the twenty-four were on [[sympathy]], [[co-operation]], and [[tolerance]].

144:6.3 [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] and [[Abner]] alternated in presiding over these joint meetings of the two apostolic groups. These men had many [[difficulties]] to [[discuss]] and numerous [[problems]] to solve. Again and again would they take their troubles to [[Jesus]], only to hear him say: " I am concerned only with your [[personal]] and [[purely]] [[religious]] [[problems]]. I am the [[representative]] of [[the Father]] to the [[individual]], not to the [[group]]. If you are in [[personal]] [[difficulty]] in your [[relations]] with [[God]], come to me, and I will hear you and [[counsel]] you in the solution of your [[problem]]. But when you enter upon the [[co-ordination]] of [[divergent]] human [[interpretations]] of religious questions and upon the [[socialization]] of [[religion]], you are [[destined]] to solve all such problems by your own [[decisions]]. Albeit, I am ever [[sympathetic]] and always interested, and when you arrive at your conclusions touching these matters of nonspiritual import, provided you are all [[agreed]], then I [[pledge]] in advance my full [[approval]] and hearty [[co-operation]]. And now, in order to leave you unhampered in your [[deliberations]], I am leaving you for two weeks. Be not [[anxious]] about me, for I will return to you. I will be about my Father's business, for we have [[Paper 49 - The Inhabited Worlds|other realms]] besides this one. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_10]

144:6.3 [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] and [[Abner]] alternated in presiding over these joint meetings of the two apostolic groups. These men had many [[difficulties]] to [[discuss]] and numerous [[problems]] to solve. Again and again would they take their troubles to [[Jesus]], only to hear him say: " I am concerned only with your [[personal]] and [[purely]] [[religious]] [[problems]]. I am the [[representative]] of [[the Father]] to the [[individual]], not to the [[group]]. If you are in [[personal]] [[difficulty]] in your [[relations]] with [[God]], come to me, and I will hear you and [[counsel]] you in the solution of your [[problem]]. But when you enter upon the [[co-ordination]] of [[divergent]] human [[interpretations]] of religious questions and upon the [[socialization]] of [[religion]], you are [[destined]] to solve all such problems by your own [[decisions]]. Albeit, I am ever [[sympathetic]] and always interested, and when you arrive at your conclusions touching these matters of nonspiritual import, provided you are all [[agreed]], then I [[pledge]] in advance my full [[approval]] and hearty [[co-operation]]. And now, in order to leave you unhampered in your [[deliberations]], I am leaving you for two weeks. Be not [[anxious]] about me, for I will return to you. I will be about my Father's business, for we have [[Paper 49 - The Inhabited Worlds|other realms]] besides this one. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_10]

144:6.4 After thus [[speaking]], [[Jesus]] went down the mountainside, and they saw him no more for two full weeks. And they never knew where he went or what he did during these days. It was some time before the twenty-four could settle down to the serious [[consideration]] of their [[problems]], they were so disconcerted by the [[absence]] of [[the Master]]. However, within a week they were again in the [[heart]] of their [[discussions]], and they could not go to [[Jesus]] for help.

144:6.4 After thus [[speaking]], [[Jesus]] went down the mountainside, and they saw him no more for two full weeks. And they never knew where he went or what he did during these days. It was some time before the twenty-four could settle down to the serious [[consideration]] of their [[problems]], they were so disconcerted by the [[absence]] of [[the Master]]. However, within a week they were again in the [[heart]] of their [[discussions]], and they could not go to [[Jesus]] for help.

144:6.6 They next [[decided]] that, as long as [[John the Baptist|John]] lived, whether in [[prison]] or out, both groups of [[twelve apostles]] would go on with their [[work]], and that joint meetings for one week would be held every three months at places to be [[agreed]] upon from time to time.

144:6.6 They next [[decided]] that, as long as [[John the Baptist|John]] lived, whether in [[prison]] or out, both groups of [[twelve apostles]] would go on with their [[work]], and that joint meetings for one week would be held every three months at places to be [[agreed]] upon from time to time.

144:6.7 But the most serious of all their [[problems]] was the question of [[baptism]]. Their [[difficulties]] were all the more aggravated because [[Jesus]] had refused to make any [[pronouncement]] upon the subject. They finally [[agreed]]: As long as [[John the Baptist|John]] lived, or until they might jointly [[modify]] this [[decision]], only the apostles of John would [[baptize]] believers, and only [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]] would finally instruct the new [[disciples]]. Accordingly, from that time until after the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135#135:12._DEATH_OF_JOHN_THE_BAPTIST death of John], [[two]] of the apostles of John accompanied [[Jesus]] and his [[apostles]] to [[baptize]] believers, for the joint [[council]] had unanimously voted that baptism was to become the initial step in the outward [[alliance]] with the affairs of [[the kingdom]].

144:6.7 But the most serious of all their [[problems]] was the question of [[baptism]]. Their [[difficulties]] were all the more aggravated because [[Jesus]] had refused to make any [[pronouncement]] upon the subject. They finally [[agreed]]: As long as [[John the Baptist|John]] lived, or until they might jointly [[modify]] this [[decision]], only the apostles of John would [[baptize]] believers, and only [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]] would finally instruct the new [[disciples]]. Accordingly, from that time until after the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135#135:12._DEATH_OF_JOHN_THE_BAPTIST death of John], [[two]] of the apostles of John accompanied [[Jesus]] and his [[apostles]] to [[baptize]] believers, for the joint [[council]] had unanimously voted that baptism was to become the initial step in the outward [[alliance]] with the affairs of [[the kingdom]].

144:6.8 It was next [[agreed]], in case of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135#135:12._DEATH_OF_JOHN_THE_BAPTIST death of John], that the apostles of John would present themselves to [[Jesus]] and become subject to his direction, and that they would [[baptize]] no more unless [[authorized]] by [[Jesus]] or his [[apostles]].

144:6.8 It was next [[agreed]], in case of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135#135:12._DEATH_OF_JOHN_THE_BAPTIST death of John], that the apostles of John would present themselves to [[Jesus]] and become subject to his direction, and that they would [[baptize]] no more unless [[authorized]] by [[Jesus]] or his [[apostles]].

144:6.9 And then was it [[voted]] that, in case of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135#135:12._DEATH_OF_JOHN_THE_BAPTIST John's death], [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]] would begin to [[baptize]] with [[water]] as the emblem of the baptism of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine Spirit]]. As to whether or not [[repentance]] should be attached to the [[preaching]] of [[baptism]] was left [[optional]]; no [[decision]] was made binding upon the [[group]]. John's apostles [[preached]], " [[Repent]] and be [[baptized]]. " [[Jesus]]' [[apostles]] [[proclaimed]], " Believe and be baptized. "

144:6.9 And then was it [[voted]] that, in case of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135#135:12._DEATH_OF_JOHN_THE_BAPTIST John's death], [[the apostles]] of [[Jesus]] would begin to [[baptize]] with [[water]] as the emblem of the baptism of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine Spirit]]. As to whether or not [[repentance]] should be attached to the [[preaching]] of [[baptism]] was left [[optional]]; no [[decision]] was made binding upon the [[group]]. John's apostles [[preached]], " [[Repent]] and be [[baptized]]. " [[Jesus]]' [[apostles]] [[proclaimed]], " Believe and be baptized. "

144:6.10 And this is the [[story]] of the first attempt of [[Jesus]]' followers to [[co-ordinate]] [[divergent]] [[efforts]], [[compose]] [[differences]] of [[opinion]], [[organize]] group undertakings, [[legislate]] on outward [[observances]], and [[socialize]] [[personal]] religious [[practices]].

144:6.10 And this is the [[story]] of the first attempt of [[Jesus]]' followers to [[co-ordinate]] [[divergent]] [[efforts]], [[compose]] [[differences]] of [[opinion]], [[organize]] group undertakings, [[legislate]] on outward [[observances]], and [[socialize]] [[personal]] religious [[practices]].

144:6.13 Two months and a half from this time [[John the Baptist|John]] was executed, and throughout this period the apostles of John remained with [[Jesus]] and [[the twelve]]. They all worked [[together]] and [[baptized]] believers during this [[season]] of [[labor]] in the [[cities]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapolis Decapolis]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gilboa Gilboa] camp was broken up on November 2, A.D. 27.

144:6.13 Two months and a half from this time [[John the Baptist|John]] was executed, and throughout this period the apostles of John remained with [[Jesus]] and [[the twelve]]. They all worked [[together]] and [[baptized]] believers during this [[season]] of [[labor]] in the [[cities]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapolis Decapolis]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gilboa Gilboa] camp was broken up on November 2, A.D. 27.

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_144 Go to Paper 144]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_144 Go to Paper 144]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 144 - At Gilboa and in the Decapolis]]

[[Category:Paper 144 - At Gilboa and in the Decapolis]]

[[Category: Interpretation]]

[[Category: Interpretation]]