I AM A BELIEVER. Today, I will share more of my personal
faith perspective, detailing another specific reason underlying my decision to maintain
Christian discipleship. 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 and able 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 amenable to suffering such extreme persecution, physical
suffering and even death in His name? Decidedly, I think not.
In the American system of jurisprudence, the most important determiner of
guilt or innocence (other than the jury itself) are the WITNESSES that are summoned to the
bar to offer testimony. Each witness establishes the credibility (or lack
thereof) of the defendant, regarding his/her alleged actions. Prayerfully
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 sawed
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 that is 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 awesome 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 by Him for forty post-resurrection days.
Finally, they actually witnessed His ascension into Heaven.
No level of threat, persecution, pain, or even death was ever able to
cause any one of these faith-filled men to recant faith in The Living
Christ. Their unwavering steadfastness is just another piece in the
puzzle of my personal belief. Stay tuned…more
to come tomorrow.
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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