Originally posted by Ratbo
Even secular history shows that almost all of the 12 apostles met a violent end for refusing to back down on what they were preaching. (this is different than meeting a violent end fighting in some Jihaad or fanatical combat)
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I think "almost all" is a bit strong...a couple are known to have met with persecuted ends: Peter at the hands of the Romans and the Jewish historian Josephus reported that James Alpheus was stoned and then clubbed to death by the Pharisees. But what of the rest:
Judas - Suicide
John - means of death is by conjecture only but is thought to be from old age
Bartholomew - There is little information concerning his death, even by tradition. Some Christians speculate he was crucified in India, although crucification was not a known practice in India.
Philip - Again, the Bible does not say when he died nor do we have accurate information. There are contradicting traditions as to his death. Some say he was crucified. Others say he preached in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis tortured to death at the hands of a Roman Proconsul who personally carried out the torture.
Andrew - Conflicting reports speculate he may have been crucified while preaching in Asia Minor or possibly in Southern Greece
Matthew - Some of the oldest reports say he was not martyred, while others say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.
Thomas - Tradition claims that he died in Syria when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers. Conflicting reports indicate he died in India.
Simon - No reliable information about his death, but there is a legend about his martyrdom in Persia
Jude - Conflicting accounts, but possibly crucified.
James the fisherman - Reports confuse this James with James Alpheus, but he may have been beheaded.
Unfortunately, of the 12, we only have reliable info on the death of 2. All the other accounts are speculation by revisionist historians wanting history to say what they desire. The truth is that we don't know.
Exactly what did these people *see* that led them to be so sure of their beliefs that they would rather die than recant their position?[/B]
I'm sure they saw the exact same thing that Jews who refused to convert "saw" when threatened with death by Christians. And by any political prisoner who refuses to recant their position and die as a result. Or by any POW who chose torture and death over publically denouncing their country.
But since so little is known about their deaths, how do you even know that any, besides Peter, were given the opportunity to recant before being killed?
