Faith - Episode 5

From the author..

It is not important how the disciples died. What is important is the fact that they were all willing to die for their faith. If Jesus had not been resurrected, the disciples would have known.

No one would die for something he knows is a lie. The fact that all of the epostles were willing to die horrible deahs, refusing to renouncetheir faith in Christ is tremendous evidence that they had truly witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I hope this answers many questions that might arise after reading some books or watching some movies which are against the christian faith. Let those information not disturb you, for we have a cloud of witnesses around us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Reference : Hebrews 12

And let us hold onto our faith, come what may!

Ends.

Faith - Episode 4

Peter :
Was crucified on a X-shaped cross. He told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die the same way as Jesus Christ. So he was crucified upside down!

James :
James, the head of church in Jerusalem, was thrown down a hundred feet from the south-east pinnacle of the temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, the enemies beat James to death with a Fuller's club!

John :
Was thrown into a boiling pot of oil. But he remained unharmed. So he was sent to the mines of Patmos.
He was the only disciple to escape violent death!

Thomas :
Was killed with spearhead. He was attacked in his hide-out at 'Little Mount'. From there he crawled bleeding and dying towards what is now called as 'St. Thomas Mount', with his enemies at his back. And there he was stabbed, where he died hugging a cross that he had engraved before!


Would our faith stand as long as theirs?

...to be continued

Faith - Episode 3

Andrew :
Andrew was crucified on a X-shaped cross. After being whipped severely by seven soliders, they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. When he was led to the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words - "I have long expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it". He continued to preach his tormentors for 2 days until he died.

Simon :
Called as Zealot, travelled widely and was crucified in Brittainnia (Europe), what is today called Britain.

Barthelomew :
Also known as Nathaniel had his ministry in areas including Armanea and India. He was beaten, whipped and then his skin was totally peeled off before he was crucified on the cross head down.
Sources say that Barthelomew was killed in India.

Would our faith stand as long as theirs?

...to be continued

Faith - Episode 2

James, the brother of John :
He was put to death when he was beheaded with a sword by Herod Agrippa in 44AD.

Philip :
Reportedly suffered martyrdom in Helipolis, Phygria. He was severely flogged, imprisoned and later crucified.

Jude :
The brother of James, often called Thaddeus was crucified to death at Edessa in 72 AD.

Mathias :
The one whom the disciples selected to replace Judah Iscariot after the death of Jesus, was stoned and then beheaded at Jerusalem.

Stephen :
He is said to be the first Martyr for Christ. About 2000 christians along with Nicanon, one of the seven deacons also suffered martyrdom during the great persecution that arose after the death of Stephen.

Paul :
He was tortured and beheaded (also rumours of being torn by wild animals in the arena) by the emporer Nero in 67 AD.

Would our faith stand as long as theirs?

...to be continued

Footnote : This is not my original work. I received these info as a set of 7 episodes SMS from my church youth fellowship friend. I wanted to share it on the net. Such a wonderful collection of information that reinforces Hebrews 12:1 and makes us to live a life worthy of the calling.

Faith - Epsiode 1

Reference : Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is similar to the belief of the farmer whose eyes sees a thousand sheaves of wheat in the handful of grains like these..




There is a list of 'heroes of faith' in this chapter. It starts with the Abel, and then moves on with Enoch, Abraham, Noah, .... upto Rahab.

To Think :

Would our names be listed in such a heroes' list, when we drop this robe of flesh to seize the everlasting prize?

Would our faith stand as long as theirs?

More to ponder :

How hard was their lives? How did they become the chosen heroes to be listed here? Is it because they were in a very preliminary era? Is it because they lived in BC times?? Is it because their lives were much simple and easy to live? Din't they face the pressures of life that we are facing these days?

Let's dig out why they were listed here soon...

But for now, lets consider people of another bunch of people who lived in the AD era, when the persecution was at its peek. Let us consider the brave messengers who carried the gospel from the mouth of Jesus to the entire world! Yea.. the trusted twelve!! the twelve disciples indeed!!

...to be continued