The Church the new Elisha

Jesus's disciples

• Called by God: for Elisha to be the next prophet after Elijah (1 Kg 19:16); Jesus's disciples to carry on his ministry (Mt 10:1-4; 28:16-20)

• Left everything behind to follow God: Elisha left his parents and oxen (1 Kg 19:19-21); Peter, Andrew, James and John left their fishing nets and boats (Mt 4:18-22) and Levi/Matthew when called by Jesus (Lk 5:28)

• Witnessed their teacher go up to heaven: Elisha for Elijah's assumption (2 Kg 2:11-12); the apostles for Jesus's ascension (Lk 24:50-52)

• Received the spirit of their teacher: Elisha had double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kgs 2:9-12); the apostles received the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus and God the Father (Jn 14:16-17; 15:26) at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)

• Performed greater works than their teacher: Elisha did more miracles than Elijah (2 Kgs 3-7); for believing in Jesus (Jn 14:12) e.g. the apostles speaking in different tongues at Pentecost (Acts 2:4-12) and the sick healed when the shadow of Peter fell on them (Acts 5:15)