The sermon during tonight’s evening service is entitled, Resumes Of The Apostles. We will look at the personal background of some of the men Jesus chose to spread the gospel, “into all the world.”-Mark 16:16.
Along with their personal stories, we will examine how Jesus granted them authority in the New Testament age and what this means for us in the 21st century.
The one thing all the apostles did have in common was their manner of death and what they proclaimed. All twelve of the apostles were martyred for their faith in and preaching of the death, burial, resurrection, and salvation found in Christ Jesus. Here is a list I have used in sermons before of the apostles and early preachers of Christ who were murdered for their faith.
The list comes from, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. It is not inspired, but the historical record of what happened to the 12 apostles left after Judas’ suicide and Matthias was chosen to replace him. Not one of these men denied the resurrection.
Peter: Crucified in Rome. The historian Jerome tells us Peter wanted to be crucified upside down because he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as the Lord.
Andrew: Was crucified on a cross in the form of an X in a place called Edessa.
James: Acts chapter 12 tells us James was put to death with the sword by Herod Agrippa. History tells us he was beheaded.
Phillip: Was scourged, thrown in prison, and crucified.
Bartholomew: Was cruelly beaten and crucified in India.
Thomas: Was run through with a spear in India.
Matthew: Was killed with a halberd in Ethiopia.
James: The son of Alpheus, was beaten and stoned in Jerusalem until his brains were dashed out with a club.
Thaddaeus: Was crucified.
Simon: Was crucified in Britain
Matthias: Was stoned at Jerusalem and beheaded.
Paul: Was beheaded in Rome.
Of the original 12 apostles, only John the beloved of Jesus, is thought to have died of natural causes.
What changed? The resurrection of Jesus from the grave!
Foxe, John. “Foxes Book Of Martyrs.”database©2011 WORD search Corp. accessed 9 Aug. 2025. London. Knight and Son, 1856.
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