Chapter 34

Martyrdom is marked by unwavering faith in God and the willingness to lay down one’s life for that belief. It is not defined by inflicting harm on others. The souls of martyrs are honored not because of acts of violence, but for their faithful witness unto death.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” Revelation 6:6–11.

The death of Jesus Christ transcends the standard concept of martyrdom. While martyrs surrender their lives because of their faith; Jesus, willingly suffered and gave His life to save humanity. His act was not only a testimony of faith but a divine mission to restore the relationship between God and mankind. His sacrifice remains a profound expression of love, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the good of others.

The Bible contains prophesies of His sacrifice. “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

Stephen was not an Apostle. He was chosen by the Apostles as one of the seven deacons to help with the distribution of food and assistance to the early Christian community in Jerusalem, particularly the widows. He became the first Christian martyr.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:54-60.

Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, was a Roman client king of Judea. He gained notoriety for persecution of the early Church which was rapidly gaining followers in Jerusalem. He failed to silence James who continued to preach the word of God, so he ordered his execution by beheading. He also imprisoned Peter, who miraculously escaped.

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.” Acts 12:1-3.

^“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”” Acts 12:7-8.

The account of Peter’s death is recorded in The Acts of Peters, which is an Apocryphal text. These were early Christian texts that were not included in the accepted cannon Bible. Peter, recognized as the first Pope, traveled to Rome to proclaim the message of Jesus during a time when the city was devoted to pagan worship. He was crucified upside down shortly after the Great Fire of Rome when Emperor Nero initiated severe persecution against Christians whom he held responsible for the disaster. This was the same Nero who fiddled while Rome burned! Peter held fast to his belief that Jesus was the true Lord.

Salome was instigated by her mother Herodias to ask for the head of John the Baptist who had condemned Herod Antipas for marrying Herodias who was still married to Philip.

“Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:8-12.

“And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60.

It is believed that Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he had a profound sense of unworthiness to suffer execution in the same manner as Jesus Christ.

^“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:18-20.

Matthew was a tax collector before he was personally chosen by Jesus to become one of the Apostles. He is also well known as the writer of Matthew’s Gospel. He was a follower of the “Great Commission” which Jesus gave to the early church to bring the message to all nations. His missionary work took him to Persia and Ethiopia. Both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions believe Matthew was stabbed to death in Ethiopia while he was offering Mass.

John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James, died in Ephesus from natural causes. Judas Iscariot committed suicide after betraying Jesus and he was not a martyr. All the other Apostles were martyrs.

“^II, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 1:9.