5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

Did all twelve apostles become martyrs for Christ, and if so, when and how?

 

Sincerely,
The Funeral Director

Dear The Funeral Director,

There are only two Bible accounts of an apostle’s death:  James who was beheaded by Herod (Acts 12:1-2) and Judas Iscariot (the traitor) who died by committing suicide (Matt 27:5).  None of the other apostles’ deaths are recorded within the Scriptures.  However, there is quite a lot of extra-Biblical tradition that tells us what happened to the rest of the apostles.  The following is a list of what secular history says happened.  Do not take these as accurate, merely as human tradition handed down by the early christians.

• ANDREW – crucified in Greece where it took him two days to die.  He preached from the cross until his death.
• BARTHOLOMEW – flayed to death by a whip while preaching in Armenia.
• JOHN – boiled in oil, miraculously survived unharmed, and the only apostle to die of old age.
• JUDE – crucified in Greece.
• MATTHEW – died in Ethiopia, killed by a sword.
• MATTHIAS (Judas’ replacement) – stoned and then beheaded in Jerusalem.
• PAUL – died in Rome at the hands of Caesar Nero.
• PETER – crucified upside-down (by his own request) by Caesar Nero.
• PHILIP – crucified in Syria.
• SIMON – crucified in Europe.
• THOMAS – stabbed to death with a spear while bringing the Gospel to India.

Regardless of lore, all of these men died unflinchingly believing that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead.  Having spent forty days with Him after His resurrection (Acts 1:3), they had no doubt in their minds that Jesus really was the risen Savior of mankind.  Their willingness to die for their faith is compelling proof that Jesus is the Son of God.  Men do not willingly die for a lie… and these men, knowing the truth, were faithful even unto death (Rev 2:10).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

Hi, I'm loving your website right now; thanks for sharing this great site with us!

 

I have a question in regards to speaking in tongues.  A co-worker of mine (who states she is a christian) and I have many talks about biblical topics.  She told me the other day that she has spoken in tongues before.  She also said that she was filled with the Holy Spirit prior to her baptism.  She believes that since she is filled with the Holy Spirit, she is able to speak in tongues.  I know this ability was for the apostles and we do not have this gift today... but how do I go about teaching her this from the New Testament?  I know we all have gifts, but I want to show her this is not a gift that we are bestowed with today.  Help please!

Sincerely,
English Please

Dear English Please,

The easiest way to handle someone who says they have spoken in tongues is to simply ask, “Oh, what tongue did you speak in?”  Invariably, they will be tongue-tied because they will have no clue what you are talking about.  At this point, you can begin to explain that the Bible says speaking in tongues was a miraculous ability that allowed someone to speak in REAL languages that they had never learned (Acts 2:7-11).  The charismatic and Pentecostal churches teach that speaking in tongues is a “hidden” or “secret” language that can only be understood by the angelic beings unless an interpreter is present.  That is hogwash.

The whole purpose of speaking in tongues was to allow the gospel to be spread rapidly.  The gift of speaking in tongues was only useful if it allowed someone to teach another person God’s prophetic word (1 Cor 14:6-9).  Unless your friend was miraculously able to speak another real language that allowed her to teach a real person the gospel – then she will have to realize what she did wasn’t from God.  Then you can begin to teach her that miracles no longer happen (miracles being defined as things that break the natural laws of this world), and they are no longer needed because we have the complete Word of God.  See the posts, “I Dreamed A Dream” and “Three Cheers For Miracles!” for further details on how to explain this concept to your friend.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year