The Deaths Of The Apostles - Part 2 - Pursuing Intimacy With God

The Deaths Of The Apostles – Part 2

The early church in Acts was a great example for us to follow. The church was filled with people who were fully committed to Jesus. And willing to do whatever Jesus commanded. No matter the cost.

Acts 2:42 says “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

The Greek word for devoted “proskartereo” is the strongest word in the Greek language for commitment. It literally means to “latch on and refuse to let go”.

The Deaths Of The Apostles

Fully Devoted To Jesus

Christians in the early church were not committed and devoted to being religious. Or to doing Bible study or prayer or fellowship as traditional religious things that good Christians should do. They “latched on and refused to let go” … of Jesus. They were fully committed and devoted to Jesus. and to following & obeying Him. No matter the cost.

They lived in a period of time that was very dangerous for Christians. And yet they were faithful and obedient to Jesus. The cost was great for many of the believers in the early church. Many suffered and even died. Not for a religion, not for a church, but for Jesus.

True commitment and devotion to Jesus is doing whatever Jesus tells us to do, and being willing to pay the cost. Even if it means suffering or dying.

The Deaths Of The Apostles

Here is how committed and devoted to Jesus they were. And how they suffered and died for Jesus and His Kingdom work. Every one of the original apostles paid a great price for serving Jesus, and suffered. All but John were killed for following Jesus. John was tortured and then sent to live in exile to the island of Patmos. It was there that John wrote the book of Revelation. And others died following and obeying Jesus, such as Steven and Paul.

Some Of The Deaths Of The Apostles

Bartholomew – Also known as Nathaniel. He was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

Andrew – He was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony.

His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words, “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it”. He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he died.

More Of The Deaths Of The Apostles

Thomas – He was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Subcontinent.

Jude – He was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias – The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot. He was stoned and then beheaded.

Paul – He was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many letters to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

May we have the faith and courage to be totally committed and devoted to Jesus. And do the things He commands us to do. Especially share the Gospel with others, and make disciples. No matter what it costs.

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