In forming his church, Jesus did not begin with emperors or senators, but with fishermen. Had any persons of rank been the first to be chosen, they might have brazenly attributed their selection to their own eminent worth, not to God’s grace. Moreover, if these fishermen had not come first, who would have “caught” us? Nowadays, a person is considered a great preacher, if he can give a good explanation of what was written by a fisherman.

—Augustine, Sermon 250.1