TWELVE DEATHS AND A RESURRECTION

April 10, 2009

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
-- Jesus, Matthew 11:28

We all know how Jesus died but not everyone ‘s aware of how his original twelve apostles died. Most of them were reportedly martyred while preaching the teachings of Jesus.
PETER: The apostle who denied the Lord was crucified 33-34 years after the death of Jesus. But since he deemed unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his master, he requested that he be crucified on an x-shaped cross with his head downward.
ANDREW : Crucified, like Peter and his Master. While dying on the cross, he preached to his tormentors for two days until his death.
JAMES, the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. (Acts 12: 1-2. )
JOHN: The apostle who wrote the Book of Revelation was the only apostle who was not martyred in his death, having died of natural death.
PHILIP: Cruelly executed.
BARTHOLOMEW: Accounts of this apostle’s death who reportedly preached in Asia vary although many said he was skinned alive and was beheaded.
MATTHEW: He must have lived many years as an apostle, since he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least twenty years after the death of Christ. There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. There is a legend that he died a martyr in Ethiopia from a sword wound.
THOMAS: The apostle who expressed doubt at Jesus’ ressurection is said to have died in

India

, killed by soldiers armed with spears.
JAMES, son of Alphaeus : He's said to have been stoned to death.
THADDEUS: He was killed and martyred in Beirut around AD65.
SIMON THE ZEALOT: Martyred and killed together with Thaddeus.
JUDAS ISCARIOT: Who doesn’t know the death of this star-crossed apostle? Guilt-stricken, this apostle hanged himself shortly after betraying Jesus.
Lots of people are saying that the fact that almost all the apostles went through hardships, tortures, and mockeries and willingly died preaching about Jesus and His teachings proves that they were fully convinced that Jesus was really resurrected three days after He died on the cross and that they had witnessed Him ascending to heaven. Jesus’ resurrection became their strength and inspiration, it gave them the courage to die for Him.
Kung isa ka raw kasing disipulo ni Hesus at nakita mo na hindi naman pala totoo ang pangako Niya na mabubuhay tatlong araw pagkaraang mamatay, magpapakamatay ka pa raw ba para ikalat ang mga salita Niya at ang sinasabi niya na Anak siya ng Diyos na malamang ay hindi rin totoo?