The apostle felt that he was to a large extent responsible for the spiritual welfare of those converted under his labors. His desire for them was that they might increase in a knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He had sent. Often in his ministry he would meet with little companies of men and women who loved Jesus, and bow with them in prayer, asking God to teach them how to maintain a living connection with Him. Often he took counsel with them as to the best methods of giving to others the light of gospel truth. And often, when separated from those for whom he had thus labored, he pleaded with God to keep them from evil and help them to be earnest, active missionaries.

Apostlen følte, at han i vid udstrækning havde ansvaret for deres åndelige velfærd, som var blevet omvendt ved hans medvirken. Hans ønske for dem var dette, at de måtte vokse i kundskab om den eneste sande Gud og Jesus Kristus, som han havde udsendt. Under sin gerning var han ofte sammen med små grupper af mænd og kvinder, som elskede Jesus og bad sammen med dem om at Gud måtte lære dem, hvordan de bedst kunne opretholde en levende forbindelse med ham. Ofte drøftede han med dem, hvad der ville være den bedste fremgangsmåde for at bringe andre evangeliets lys. Og tit, når han var adskilt fra dem han således havde arbejdet sammen med, bønfaldt han Gud om at hjælpe dem til at blive alvorlige, virksomme missionærere.