How the Apostles died?

Matthew : Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound

Mark : Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead

Luke : Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost

John : Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was  miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic  Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.

Peter : He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

James : Just The leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller’s club. This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.

James the Great : Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

Bartholomew : Also known as Nathaniel Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

Andrew : Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: ‘I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.’ He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.

Thomas : Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the sub-continent.

Jude : Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias : The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.

Barnabas : One of the group of seventy disciples, wrote the Epistle of Barnabas. He preached throughout Italy and Cyprus. Barnabas was stoned to death at Salonica.

Paul : Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

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Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles during their times for the sake of the Faith.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:  But he that endureth to the end shall be saved. – Matthew 10:22

When I got mad today and hit my child
“For his own good, ” I reconciled,
and then I realized my plight…
Today, I taught my child to fight.

When interrupted by the phone,
I said, “tell them I’m not home.”
And then I thought, and had to sigh…
Today I taught my child to lie.

I told the tax man what I made,
forgetting cash that was paid,
And than I blushed at this sad feat…
Today I taught my child to cheat.

I smugly copied a cassette,
To keep me from one more debt,
But now the bells of shame must peal…
Today I taught my child to steal.

Today I cursed another race,
Oh God, protect what I debase,
for now, I fear it is too late…
Today I taught my child to hate.

By my example, children learn
That I must lead in life’s sojourn
In such a way they are led
By what is done and not what is said.

Today I gave my child his due
By praise for him instead of rue.
And now I have begun my guide;
Today I gave my child his pride.

I now have reconciled and paid
to IRS all that I have made.
And now I know that this dear youth,
Today has learned from me the truth.

The alms I give are not for show,
And yet, this child must surely know
That charity is worth the price:
Today he saw my sacrifice.

I clasp within a warm embrace
My neighbor of another race.
The great commandment from up above.
Today I taught my child to love.

Someday my child must face alone
This fearsome undertone,
But I have blazed a sure pathway:
Today I taught my child to pray.

I will not be afraid of the future. The world is a big place and there are always things happening and changing in our lives. GOD may have a new direction for us…of dreams and goals to fulfill. Can we see the change happening or better yet…feel it ?

I usually can. So I have a choice to make. Do I allow myself to become afraid of the change that may happen or Do I Trust in God More?

Change can happen so slowly, that sometimes you do not even notice…or you may not want to notice. Think of God.

Change can also happen at a rate that you can see and anticipate the action. You gain strength and feel prepared for the outcome. Let God walk you through the change… You will experience it…in a better way.

Then there is the “unexpected” change…usually the worst kind. A child goes off to war, an unexpected illness in the family, diagnosis of Cancer for anyone you love , a death of a loved one, unemployment or you find yourself financially broke because of this economy…and just surviving becomes a full time job. Cling onto God! He will help you.

Waiting to hear news of an outcome may also be brutal…But refuse to live in fear. Know that God will always take care of us, whether you are aware of it or not.

I know what I preach. These are not just words to fill a page. They are from my first hand experiences with Jesus.

Always, always have trust in God in your current and future situations, no matter what!

Ask HIM for his help…
HE can hear you and HE loves you.
Nothing is impossible with God!

Have Faith that everything will turn out for the best in your life!
We can not always see the benefits to some things…but God has a reason.

So what do you prefer?

You can make a choice right now – Trust in God or live in fear of the unknown?

- -  – - – written by K. Frangeskos from Jesus Knows You Best

Tags: god, love, thoughts