For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
in power, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty.Peter, Andrew, Simon the Zealot were
all crucified. Peter, upside down and Andrew on a diagonal cross.
Andrew was not nailed to the cross but was tied. It was several days
before he died and he preached until the end.
James, son of
Zebedee was beheaded by King Herod l, he was
the first martyr among the twelve apostles.
The beloved John was reportedly
boiled in oil but survived to be exiled on the Isle of Patmos before he was
released and went to Ephesus where he died a natural death. The only disciple
to do so.
Philip died in Hieropolis, Turkey by hanging.
It is believed that Bartholomew
(Nathanael) had ministered in Armenia and was flayed to death with knives in
India.
Matthew died a martyr’s death in Ethiopia
Ancient tradition says that Thomas
died near Madras, India. He was killed with a spear.
James, son of
Alpheus survived being thrown down from the
Temple Tower before being beaten to
death with a club.
Thaddaeus
was martyred in Persia. He was stoned
to death.
Judas Iscariot hanged himself before Jesus Christ died by crucifixion. His
death is the second one that is recorded in the Bible.
Mathias is the disciple who took the place of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus
and subsequently hung himself. According to one account, he was stoned to death
by cannibals in Ethiopia. According to another version, he was stoned to death
by Jews in Jerusalem before being decapitated.
Even Paul was beheaded after being a
prisoner for a long time.
There are, of course, other versions
of the demise of the disciples but one thing is certain. They all suffered
cruel deaths witnessing the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and
Saviour.
(Collected from various sources)
Charles W.
Colson, former chief adviser to President Nixon during Watergate, stated:
“I know
the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men
testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that
truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one of them was beaten,
tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it
weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and
they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could
keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
There are a
number of people who have faced persecution and death in order to bear witness
to the Good News of Jesus Christ. I sometimes wonder if my faith would give me
that kind of strength, what about you?
The only way
to grow our faith is by steeping ourselves in God’s Word and praying for
understanding of it. We must persevere not only in our study of the Word but in
our obedience to God’s will. There is a lot of reading matter out there which
is designed to help us but we must be sure to go to reputable sources.
We can also
call on The Lord Jesus and on the Holy Spirit to help us at any time, or all
the time.
Prayer
Almighty and
Merciful Father, thank You for always being there for us, with Your Son and
Your Holy Spirit ready to give us the help we need to immerse ourselves in Your
Word. As Father, Son and Holy Spirit You can see every deed and hear every
thought we have. You came to earth as a man so You know how hard it is to be
human. You suffered the temptation of Satan after forty days in the wilderness
without food but You were still able to withstand the voice of temptation
because You were sure of the Words of scripture and could answer every utterance
from his mouth. Be with us always. Amen
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