WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Part III)

WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Part III)

I am a believeR.  Today, I will share more of my faith perspective, detailing another specific reason underlying my decision to become a Christian disciple.  Indeed, there are many.

Reason #3

The original disciples personally experienced the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ; they were eyewitnesses to His resurrection; and, they were willing to experience ostracism, physical suffering and martyrdom as a direct result of their abundant faith in Him.  The lives and testimonies of these men comprise a significant and powerful reason why I am firmly established in the Christian faith.

Consider this: If Jesus had NOT existed, if Jesus had NOT performed miraculous works, or if Jesus had NOT risen from the dead, would these men have been available and willing to suffer such extreme persecution, physical suffering and even death in His name?  I think not.

In the American system of jurisprudence, the most important determiner of guilt or innocence (other than the jury itself) is the witness that is summoned to the bar to offer testimony.  Each witness establishes the credibility (or lack thereof) of the defendant, regarding his/her alleged actions.  Consider the primary witnesses who confirmed and affirmed the teachings, miracles and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Andrew, the brother of Peter, was a fisherman before Jesus called him.  He was crucified and died as a martyr in Achaia, Greece.

Bartholomew lived in Cana of Galilee. This was actually his second name; his first name was Nathanael, whom Jesus called “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.” (John 1:47)  The Armenian Church claims him as its founder.  He died as a martyr in India, flayed alive with knives.

James, the Elder, was the brother of John the Apostle.  Also a fisherman, he preached in Jerusalem and Judea and was beheaded by Herod in AD 44.  He was a member of the Inner Circle and the first of the twelve to become a martyr.

James, the Younger, lived in Galilee and was the brother of the Apostle Jude.  He preached in Palestine and Egypt.  Eventually, he was crucified in Egypt and his body was sawn into pieces.

John, “the beloved disciple” and member of the Inner Circle was the brother of James, the Apostle.  He preached in Asia Minor.  Banished to the Isle of Patmos, he was later freed and died a natural death.  An attempt was made on his life by giving him a chalice of poison, but he died later from natural causes.

Jude, also called Thaddeus, was the brother of James the Younger.  He preached in Assyria and then in Persia, where he died from arrow wounds.

Matthew, also called Levi, lived in Capernaum. He was a publican or tax collector.  He wrote the gospel that bears his name and died as a martyr in Ethiopia.

Simon Peter, also known as Cephas, was a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum.  He famously confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God, yet denied him on crucifixion day.  He did evangelistic and missionary work among the Jews and was crucified upside-down in Rome.

Philip, also a fisherman, came from Bethsaida and preached in Phyrgia.  He was a highly effective missionary who died as a martyr at Hierapolis.

Simon, the Zealot, was one of the little-known followers of Jesus who lived in Galilee.  Tradition says he was crucified as a martyr.

Thomas Didymus lived in Galilee and preached in Parthia, Persia and India.  He suffered martyrdom near Madras, India, at a place now called Mount St. Thomas.

Each of these men had an up-close-and-personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  They lived and traveled with him during 3½ years of public ministry.  They beheld his miracles, the multiplicity of signs and wonders that emanated from Him.  And importantly, they were eyewitnesses of his resurrection, directly seeing Him, conversing with Him, dining with Him and being taught Kingdom principles for forty days.  Then, they actually witnessed His ascension into Heaven.

No level of threat, persecution, pain, or even death was ever able to cause any one of them to recant his faith in The Living Christ.  Their unwavering steadfastness is just another piece in the puzzle of my personal belief.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!