HOW THE APOSTLES DIED

MATTHEW He was the former tax-collector turned evangelist. He suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia and was killed by a sword wound. LUKE He was a Greek speaking physician. Luke was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching excursions to the lost. PETER Crucified upside down. 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. MARK He was the founder of the church of Alexandria. He died there after being dragged by horses through the streets. JOHN He was boiled in oil, but miraculously delivered from death. He died peacefully while living in exile on the isle of Patmos (where he wrote the Book of Revelation). JAMES THE JUST Leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown off the Temple wall when he refused to deny his faith. Having survived, his enemies killed him with a club. ANDREW He was crucified in Greece. After being whipped severely, they tied his body to a cross. He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he died. JAMES THE GREAT Otherwise known as one of the Son's of Thunder. He evangelized Spain and is the Patron Saint of that nation. He was beheaded by Herod Agrippa. BARTHOLOMEW Also known as Nathaniel, he was a missionary to Asia and present day Turkey. He was martyred in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip. THOMAS (of the Doubting Thomas fame). Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips where he established the church in the sub-continent. MATTHIAS He was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Matthias worked amongst cannibals. Records of his death vary. Some record stoning/beheading/crucifixion. PAUL During his lifetime, Paul endured imprisonment, beatings and shipwrecks. He was tortured and then beheaded by the Emporer Nero of Rome in A.D. 67. www.joymag.co.za Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cruelty faced by the apostles and evangelists after Christ's death. Let us remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who still face persecution and death today for their faith in Jesus Christ!