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Expert: LEBoyd - 10/3/2007


Question
Hi LEBoyd
After reading about JESUS calling unto Himself the apsotles. JESUS said, " Come follow me. . . "

The thought came to mind that those men the JESUS called to follow HIM. What happened to the families and children of the apostles?
What was JESUS doing that those families were left with no husbands/fathers?

I believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST. However, that question just popped into my head today.
What does the Bible say about this/or you opinion?

Thank you
GOD BLESS
Ray M.

Answer
Ray,

As we can see, men (whether apostles or disciples) were sent out to spread the gospel.  We know that Peter was married, because in Matt. 8, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law.  It is also likely that others were married.

Today, often fathers are asked to do the same thing at their work.  Because we can fly around, we may only be away for a couple of weeks, but being asked to travel is not unusual today, or historically.

So, while they were asked to travel on their mission trips, I think it's strong language to say the families were "left with no husbands/fathers."

Also, recall that most families lived with or very near the rest of their extended families.  Therefore, they were 'alone'.

I'm not too worried about Jesus asking them to travel, and don't think it's a problem.

Thanks,

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LEBoyd

Expertise

I am available to answer questions on most subjects dealing with the Old and New Testaments. I have more than 30 years of detailed study in both Testaments. Additionally, I have studied the many facets of evolution, including a detailed study of Darwin's Origin of the Species. I am a fundamentalist, in that I believe that all Scripture is inspired, or God-breathed, (II Tim. 3:16). I believe that there are no contradictions in the Bible, and that the Bible is complete in telling us our purpose on earth, how to gain salvation and how we should live to obtain salvation. I believe in sin, Satan, heaven, hell, choice-immersion, grace as the free-gift of God and that one can fall from grace. I am a 'layman' in that I taught myself Hebrew (in the English alphabet) and Greek (in the Greek alphabet).

Experience

I have taught many adult classes on the Scriptures on many different subjects over the last 25 years. I have also debated many people (several at once) over subjects such as evolution, original sin, the Diety of Jesus, whether Jesus was perfect by choice, and so-called Biblical contradictions.

Education/Credentials
I am a layman, so I come as a self-trained "expert". I can provide copies of sermanets, classes and emails where I have debated Scripture with others. I do have a BBA and an MBA from a Top-10 MBA School. I also have several NASD/SEC licenses.

Awards and Honors
In Bibilical areas, I have scored the highest score, or in the top 10, with other adults in an all day annual test on specific Bible books. Some of these books were Luke, Revelation, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronmy, Joshua, Judges, II Kings, and others. Currently, I am teaching an indepth study on the book of Judges.

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