In John the Baptist, we have the forerunner—­“the voice crying in the wilderness.”  The Apostles, chosen from among the busy multitude, carried their habits of industry into their new calling; some turned from catching fish to become “fishers of men,” while Matthew employed the accuracy of a collector of customs in chronicling the life of the Master.  Even the weaknesses of men were utilized:  Thomas consecrated his doubts, and John, the disciple, baptized his ambition—­each giving the Great Teacher an opportunity to use a fault for the enlightening of future generations.  The latter became the most intimate companion of the Saviour—­“the disciple whom Jesus loved” and the one who most frequently used the word love.

Peter and Paul stand out conspicuously among the exponents of early Christianity.  In the case of Peter, Christ brought an impulsive nature into complete subjection and gave a steadying purpose to an emotional follower.  In Paul, we see a giant intellect aflame with a holy zeal.  Both were bold interpreters of Christ’s mission and both urged upon Christians the full gospel equipment.

In his second Epistle, chapter one, Peter exhorts: 

And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, Paul pleads: 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Peter was a rock, hewn into shape and polished by the divine hand; Paul was a “chosen vessel” to bear the Redeemer’s Name before “the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”  Paul was an orator with a purpose; he was a man with a message.  He was eloquent because he knew what he was talking about and meant what he said.  No wonder, for he was called to service by a summons so distinct and unmistakable that he turned at once from persecuting to preaching.  Paul is responsible for one of the most inspiring sentences in the Bible—­“I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”  It was the key to his whole life.