PAPER 162: Section 9.
At Bethlehem With Abner
P1798:2, 162:9.1 Throughout the week that followed the feast of tabernacles, scores of believers forgathered at Bethany and received instruction from the twelve apostles. The Sanhedrin made no effort to molest these gatherings since Jesus was not present; he was throughout this time working with Abner and his associates in Bethlehem. The day following the close of the feast, Jesus had departed for Bethany, and he did not again teach in the temple during this visit to Jerusalem.
P1798:3, 162:9.2
At this time, Abner was making his headquarters at Bethlehem, and from that
center many workers had been sent to the cities of Judea and southern Samaria
and even to Alexandria. Within a few days of his arrival, Jesus and Abner
completed the arrangements for the consolidation of the work of the two groups
of apostles.
P1798:4, 162:9.3
Throughout his visit to the feast of tabernacles, Jesus had divided his time
about equally between Bethany and Bethlehem. At Bethany he spent considerable
time with his apostles; at Bethlehem he gave much instruction to Abner and
the other former apostles of John. And it was this intimate contact that finally
led them to believe in him. These former apostles of John the Baptist were
influenced by the courage he displayed in his public teaching in Jerusalem
as well as by the sympathetic understanding they experienced in his private
teaching at Bethlehem. These influences finally and fully won over each of
Abner's associates to a wholehearted acceptance of the kingdom and all that
such a step implied.
P1798:5, 162:9.4
Before leaving Bethlehem for the last time, the Master made arrangements for
them all to join him in the united effort which was to precede the ending
of his earth career in the flesh. It was agreed that Abner and his associates
were to join Jesus and the twelve in the near future at Magadan Park.
P1798:6, 162:9.5
In accordance with this understanding, early in November Abner and his eleven
fellows cast their lot with Jesus and the twelve and labored with them as
one organization right on down to the crucifixion.
P1798:7, 162:9.6
In the latter part of October Jesus and the twelve withdrew from the immediate
vicinity of Jerusalem. On Sunday, October 30, Jesus and his associates left
the city of Ephraim, where he had been resting in seclusion for a few days,
and, going by the west Jordan highway directly to Magadan Park, arrived late
on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 2.
P1798:8, 162:9.7
The apostles were greatly relieved to have the Master back on friendly soil;
no more did they urge him to go up to Jerusalem to proclaim the gospel of
the kingdom.