From the book of acts chapter six to eight, and the book of Luke chapters nine and ten, the seventy and the seven are chosen as evangelists to fulfill Jesus's commission to preach, heal, and cast out demons when the twelve appear to be unwilling or unable to do so. Robertson focuses on the events leading to the rise of the seven in the book of acts, similarities between passages involving the seven and the seventy and the role of the twelve in Luke and Acts, and the threat posed by the other numbered groups to that balance. The article also explores the possibility of the relevance of systematic reading of the apostolic leadership in Luke and acts to the current struggles that involve the Christian community and the Episcopal Church as well.
