Basic
Worldview:
104
Why Christianity?
The Sufferings
of Eyewitnesses
Judaism
and Christianity Introduction and History
History
of Judaism Continued
Scholarly
Objections and Historicity of Daniel (P. 1)
Historicity
of Daniel (P. 2) & Judeo-Christian Syncretism
A
Few Words on Gnosticism
Christianity
- A Sect of Judaism (P. 1)
Christianity
- A Sect of Judaism (P. 2) & Prophecy in Judaism
Is
Jesus the Jewish Messiah? (P. 1)
Is
Jesus the Jewish Messiah? (P. 2)
List
of Messianic Qualifications & the Resurrection of Jesus
(P. 1)
The
Resurrection of Jesus (Part 2)
Study
Conclusions and Overall Comparisons
Additional
Material
The
Sufferings of Eyewitnesses
Comparison
of Mystical Religions to Judeo-Christianity
Rabbinical
Judaism Accepts Christian Interpretations (P. 1)
Rabbinical
Judaism Accepts Christian Interpretations (P. 2)
Rabbinical
Judaism Accepts Christian Interpretations (P. 3)
Rabbinical
Judaism Accepts Christian Interpretations (P. 4)
Rabbinical
Judaism Accepts Christian Interpretations (P. 5)
Rabbinical
Judaism Accepts Christian Interpretations (P. 6)
Introduction | Section 1
| Section 2 | Section
3
A quick quote from the Columbia Encyclopedia sums up what
we will find in this section.
"Christianity - For 250 years it was a martyrs'
church; the persecutions were fueled by the refusal of
Christians to worship the state and the Roman emperor."
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
Simply put, for the first two and a half centuries of Christianity,
to testify of Jesus Christ meant accepting a death sentence.
And while for many that death sentence was not enforced, for
many others, including the eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection,
it was. And still, for those put to death and those not put
to death, their lives were filled with various forms of persecution,
including excommunication, forced exile, confiscation of property,
imprisonment, and attempted murder just to name a few.
The willingness of the eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection
to suffer such things demonstrates their strong conviction
concerning the truth of the resurrection. Thus, any historical
conclusion about the events of that famous Sunday morning
in which Jesus is reported to have risen from the dead would
have to include a cause sufficient to produce this kind of
enduring belief in the eyewitnesses.
Among the eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus we find an
assortment of individuals some of who were among the original
apostles. We also find in this group Matthias (who replaced
Judas), Paul, and Jesus' half-brother James.
The following New Testament passages list who was considered
to have witnessed the resurrected Jesus first-hand. We should
also note that the New Testament upholds that there were over
500 witnesses of the resurrected Jesus, as can be seen in
the passage below.
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of
all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried,
and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren
at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present,
but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of
James; then of all the apostles.
Here in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul states that not only the original
12 apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus, but
also all other apostles as well.
Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and
Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among
the people, crying out…
Since Acts 14 lists Barnabas as an apostle, we can conclude
that he was among those considered by the early Church to
have witnessed the resurrected Jesus. However, it is also
worthy of note that Paul also listed James, Jesus' brother,
as an eyewitness. And from Acts 1 below we know that Matthias,
who was made the replacement for Judas Iscariot, was also
considered to have seen the resurrected Jesus first-hand.
Additionally, from this same passage in Acts 1, we know that
a man named Joseph (or Barsabas) was also a witness of the
resurrected Jesus.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied
with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among
us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same
day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained
to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And
they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou,
Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of
these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of
this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave
forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he
was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The New Testament also records in Acts 7:51-60 that Stephen,
(appointed as one of the original 7 deacons in Acts 6:3-6)
was both an eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus and martyred
for his testimony to that event.
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked
up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold,
I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the
right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice,
and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and
the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet,
whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling
upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
So, apart from the 500 eyewitnesses, the list of specific
men who are counted as eyewitnesses includes all 12 of the
original apostles (except for Judas Iscariot), Matthias who
replaced Judas, Joseph called Barsabas (who was not chosen
to replace Judas), James the brother of Jesus, Paul, Barnabas,
and Stephen.
John the Apostle
Of all the original 12 apostles, after Judas was replaced
by Matthias, John is the only one who is believed to have
died a natural death instead of being martyred.
"John, Saint - He is mentioned occasionally in the
Acts of the Apostles, and Paul refers to him in Galatians.
According to 2d-century authorities John died at an advanced
age at Ephesus (c.A.D. 100)." - The Columbia Encyclopedia,
Sixth Edition. 2001.
"John The Apostle, Saint - John's subsequent history
is obscure and passes into the uncertain mists of legend.
At the end of the 2nd century, Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus,
claims that John's tomb is at Ephesus, identifies him with
the beloved disciple, and adds that he "was a priest, wearing
the sacerdotal plate, both martyr and teacher." That John
died in Ephesus is also stated by Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon
c. AD 180, who says John wrote his Gospel and letters
at Ephesus and Revelation at Patmos." - Britannica.com
As the quotes above demonstrate, John's death in Ephesus from
natural causes or perhaps old age is attested to by two second-century
sources, including Polycrates the bishop of Ephesus and Irenaeus,
whose teacher Polycarp had been taught by John himself. Yet
despite the fact that John was not put to death for his testimony,
he did endure persecution, excommunication, and suffering
including exile on the Island of Patmos for a time as well
as enduring the murder of his brother James. John's exile
on Patmos is likewise attested in the historical record by
Irenaeus as well as the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9).
And finally, the fact that John was not put to death in no
way diminishes his willingness to die. He simply did not arrive
at the opportunity to die for his testimony.
The Apostle James
The Apostle James, John's brother, was also persecuted and
martyred for his testimony of Jesus' resurrection. As the
2 following entries below demonstrate, he was beheaded by
Herod Agrippa I.
"James, Saint (St. James the Greater) - d. c. A.D.
43, in the Bible, one of the Twelve Apostles, called St. James
the Greater. He was the son of Zebedee and the brother of
St. John; these brothers were the Boanerges, or Sons of Thunder.
St. James was killed by Herod Agrippa I." - The Columbia
Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
"James, Saint - James was beheaded by order of King
Herod Agrippa I of Judaea; according to Spanish tradition,
his body was taken to Santiago de Compostela, where his shrine
attracts pilgrims from all over the world." - Britannica.com
The Apostle Peter
The persecutions and violent death suffered by the Apostle
Peter are a matter of the established historical record.
"Peter, Saint - A few facts of St. Peter's life
are known from 2d-century sources. He apparently left
Antioch for Rome c. A.D. 55; there he died, head of the
local church, a martyr under Nero. According to traditional
accounts he was crucified with his head downward. From
earliest times the Vatican hill has been pointed out as the
place of his martyrdom." - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth
Edition. 2001.
Encyclopedia Britannica attests to two early sources describing
the crucifixion of Peter.
"Words of John 21:18, 19 clearly allude to the death of
Peter and are cast into the literary form of prophecy. The
author of this chapter is aware of a tradition concerning
the martyrdom of Peter when the Apostle was an old man. And
there is a possible reference here to crucifixion as the manner
of his death. But as to when or where the death took place
there is not so much as a hint." - Britannica.com
Although Britannica discounts legitimate prophecy out of hand,
it instead lists John 21:18-19 as an early record attesting
to the crucifixion of Peter. Here is that passage from John
21.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved
because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And
he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest
that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou
girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but
when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands,
and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest
not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he
should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith
unto him, Follow me.
In this passage, which is itself a part of the historical
documentation regarding the events of that time, it is said
that Peter's death was by crucifixion when he was old. The
phrase "thou shalt stretch forth thy hands" is said to "signify
what death" Peter would suffer. The idea of a death involving
arms outstretched was taken as a reference to crucifixion.
Britannica goes on to say the following.
"The strongest evidence to support the thesis that Peter
was martyred in Rome is to be found in the Letter to the Corinthians
(c. AD 96; 5:1-6:4) of Clement of Rome: 'Peter, who by
reason of wicked jealousy, not only once or twice but frequently
endured suffering and thus, bearing his witness, went
to the glorious place which he merited (5:4)…To these men
[Peter and Paul] who lived such holy lives there was
joined a great multitude of the elect who by reason of
rivalry were victims of many outrages and tortures and
who became outstanding examples among us (6:1).' These
sources, plus the suggestions and implications of later works,
combine to lead many scholars to accept Rome as the location
of the martyrdom and the reign of Nero as the time." -
Britannica.com
The above segment from Britannica asserts two items worthy
of note. First, Britannica asserts that evidence for the martyrdom
of Peter can be found in the writings of Clement, which we
will look at momentarily. Second, Britannica's quotation of
Clement affirms that not only Peter but Paul and many other
early Christians "frequently endured sufferings" for their
testimony about Jesus, including "outrages and tortures."
Below we have placed a quote from the same Letter from Clement
referred to by Britannica affirming not only the martyrdom
of Peter, but of Paul also as well as the other persecutions
and sufferings these 2 men and many other Christians endured.
"But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the
most recent spiritual heroes.(11) Let us take the noble examples
furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy,
the greatest and most righteous pillars[of the Church](3)
have been persecuted and put to death.(12) Let us set before
our eyes the illustrious(13) apostles. Peter, through unrighteous
envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and
when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to
the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also
obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven
times thrown into captivity,(14) compelled(15) to flee, and
stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he
gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having
taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme
limit of the west,(16) and suffered martyrdom under the
prefects.(17) Thus was he removed from the world, and
went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking
example of patience." - The First Epistle Of Clement To The
Corinthians, Chap. V.
The Apostle Paul
The persecutions and violent death suffered by the Apostle
Paul are also a matter of the established historical record.
"Paul, the Apostle, Saint - The journey to Rome began
in late autumn, but a shipwreck delayed the travelers for
three months at Malta, so that they arrived in Rome in
the spring of AD 60. There Paul was kept under house arrest
for two years awaiting trial. At this point the narrative
of Acts closes, and it is left to the reader to guess what
happened. As long as the Pastoral Letters were accepted as
genuine, their evidence demanded the hypothesis of acquittal,
further work in Greece, Asia Minor, and even Crete, before
a second arrest, return to Rome, and sentence to death.
Now that these letters are recognized to be pseudonymous,
there is no reason to suppose that Paul was acquitted at
all." - Britannica.com
Britannica is sure to include the debate over the authorship
of certain epistles and the relationship of that question
to whether or not Paul was acquitted during his first trial
and had to be later arrested a second time. (Note: The authors
of this article do not agree with Britannica's assessment
that Paul is not the author of the epistles bearing his name.)
However, Britannica does not extend that uncertainty to Paul's
death sentence from Rome. The only question that Britannica
records regarding the death sentence from Rome is whether
or not Paul received this sentence during his first or a possible
second arrest and trial.
"Paul, Saint - Paul was imprisoned (A.D. 60) in
Rome but was allowed to conduct his ministry among the
Roman Christians and Jews who visited him. Of his final
fate tradition says that he was beheaded south of the city,
near the Ostian Way, probably during the persecution of Nero.
A lesser tradition claims that Paul was released after his
first imprisonment and that he went East again, and perhaps
also to Spain, before his martyrdom. Some scholars believe
that Paul was executed after his initial imprisonment, probably
A.D. 62." - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.
2001.
While Columbia Encyclopedia includes two separate accounts
of Paul's martyrdom, the only question is when, not "if,"
Paul was martyred. There seems to be no question that Paul
was beheaded in Rome for his testimony of Jesus.
Paul's martyrdom is also attested to by a first-century source,
The First Epistle Of Clement To The Corinthians, written in
around 96 A.D. As we saw earlier, Peter's martyrdom is also
attested to in this work.
"But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the
most recent spiritual heroes.(11) Let us take the noble examples
furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy,
the greatest and most righteous pillars[of the Church](3)
have been persecuted and put to death.(12) Let us set before
our eyes the illustrious(13) apostles. Peter, through unrighteous
envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and
when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to
the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also
obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven
times thrown into captivity,(14) compelled(15) to flee, and
stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he
gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having
taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme
limit of the west,(16) and suffered martyrdom under the
prefects.(17) Thus was he removed from the world, and
went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking
example of patience." - The First Epistle Of Clement To The
Corinthians, Chap. V.
Also worthy of note is that Clement attests to not only Paul's
martyrdom under Roman authorities but to Paul's previous persecutions
in which he was thrown repeatedly into prison, forced to flee
for his life, and even survived a stoning.
The Apostle Andrew
The information contained in the historical record concerning
the Apostle Andrew indicates that he, too, was martyred for
his testimony of Jesus.
"Andrew, Saint - in the New Testament, one of the Twelve
Apostles, brother of Peter. According to tradition he was
a missionary in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and S Russia. According
to the apocryphal Acts of Andrew, he was martyred at Patras
in Greece. He is said to have died on an X-shaped cross (St.
Andrew's cross). He is patron saint of Russia and Scotland.
Feast: Nov. 30." - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.
2001.
"Andrew, Saint - A 4th-century account reports his
death by crucifixion, and late medieval accretions describe
the cross as X-shaped. He is iconographically represented
with an X-shaped cross (like that depicted on the Scottish
flag)." - Britannica.com
The Apostle Philip
The information contained in the historical record concerning
the Apostle Philip also indicates that he was martyred.
"Philip The Apostle, Saint - He died of natural causes
according to one tradition but, according to another, of crucifixion,
accounting for his other medieval symbol of a tall cross."
- Britannica.com
While Britannica records two separate accounts of Philip's
death, one from natural causes and the other from crucifixion,
the Columbia Encyclopedia only lists the martyrdom account.
"Philip, Saint, one of the Twelve Apostles - one of
the Twelve Apostles. Like Peter and Andrew, he came from Bethsaida
in Galilee. He is mentioned several times in the New Testament
(Mat. 10.3; John 1.43-51; 6.5,7; 12.21,22; 14.8,9; Acts 1.13).
Philip is said to have been martyred at Hierapolis of Phrygia."
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
The Apostle Bartholomew
The Columbia Encyclopedia and Britannica both record that
the Apostle Bartholomew died by flaying, which means that
he was skinned alive. Britannica also records that in addition
to being skinned alive, Bartholomew was also beheaded.
"Bartholomew, Saint - in the New Testament, one of
the Twelve Apostles, usually identified with Nathanael. Nathanael
is a given name, Bartholomew an Aramaic patronymic meaning
'son of Talmai.' Tradition makes N India his missionary
field and Armenia the place of his martyrdom by flaying."
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
"Bartholomew, Saint - The apostle is said to have
been martyred by flaying and beheading at the command
of the Armenian king Astyages." - Britannica.com
The Apostle Matthew
Information contained in the historical record concerning
the Apostle Matthew indicates that he was also martyred.
"Matthew (the Evangelist), Saint - Legend differs as
to the scene of his missions and as to whether he died a natural
or a martyr's death." - Britannica.com
While Britannica states that there are conflicting reports
concerning the death of Matthew, Columbia Encyclopedia simply
records that Matthew is said to have died a martyr.
"Matthew, Saint - Matthew is said to have died a martyr."
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
The Apostle Matthias
The Apostle Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, was also
martyred according to the information in the historic record.
The possible form of his martyrdom may have been either crucifixion
or being chopped apart.
"Matthias, Saint - in the Bible, apostle chosen by
lot to fill the place of Judas Iscariot. He is said in
ancient tradition to have died a martyr at Colchis." -
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
"Matthias, Saint - Greek tradition states that he Christianized
Cappadocia, a mountainous district now in central Turkey,
later journeying to the region about the Caspian Sea, where
he was martyred by crucifixion and, according to other legends,
chopped apart." - Britannica.com
The Apostle Jude (Thaddaeus)
The information contained in the historical record concerning
the Apostle Jude indicates that he was also martyred.
"Jude, Saint - or Saint Judas [Jude is an English
form to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot], in the New Testament,
one of the Twelve Apostles, also called Thaddaeus.
He is thought to have been the son or brother of St. James
the Less. It is doubtful that he was the Judas called the
brother of Jesus or the traditional author of the Letter of
St. Jude. In some passages in the New Testament he is called
Judas. According to Western tradition he suffered martyrdom
in Persia with St. Simon." - The Columbia Encyclopedia,
Sixth Edition. 2001.
"Judas Saint - Legends first appearing in the 4th century
credit Simon and Judas with missionary work and martyrdom
in Persia (noted in the apocryphal Passion of Simon and
Jude)." - Britannica.com
The Apostle Simon
The information contained in the historical record concerning
the Apostle Simon indicates that he was also martyred.
"Simon the Apostle, Saint - Nothing further is known
about him from the New Testament. He supposedly preached
the Gospel in Egypt and then joined the apostle St. Judas
(Thaddaeus) in Persia, where, according to the apocryphal
Acts of Simon and Judas, he was martyred by being cut in half
with a saw, one of his chief iconographic symbols (another
being a book). According to St. Basil the Great, the 4th-century
Cappadocian Father, Simon died peacefully at Edessa."
- Britannica.com
James the Brother of Jesus
James, the half-brother of Jesus (through Jesus' mother Mary),
is also reported to have become a leader in the early church
and to have been killed for his testimony of the resurrected
Jesus.
"James, Saint - This popularity is evident in the Jews'
anger when priestly authorities had James put to death,
reputedly either by stoning (after Flavius Josephus, historian
of the Jews) or by being thrown from a Temple tower (after
the early Christian writer St. Hegesippus)." - Britannica.com
While Britannica is sure to include both of the available
accounts of how James was martyred, there is certainty that
he was, in fact, martyred. The Columbia Encyclopedia confirms
the account of the Jewish historian Josephus.
"James, Saint (the "brother" of Jesus) - The Jewish
historian Josephus records that James was stoned to death
at the instigation of the priests c.A.D. 62." - The Columbia
Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
Stephen
Stephen (appointed as one of the original 7 deacons in Acts
6:3-6) is recorded as an eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus
and as a martyr for his testimony to that event. Stephen was
stoned to death for his testimony.
"Stephen, Saint - Christian deacon in Jerusalem; the
first Christian martyr, whose apology before the Sanhedrin
(Acts 7) points to a distinct strand of belief in primitive
Christianity. His defense enraged his hearers, and he was
taken out of the city and stoned to death." - Britannica.com
"Stephen, Saint, Christian martyr - d. A.D. 36?, first
Christian martyr, stoned at Jerusalem. He was one of the
seven deacons. Accused of blasphemy, he was brought before
the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. His speech defending his beliefs
further enraged his accusers, who were Hellenistic Jews, and
he was taken out and stoned to death." - The Columbia
Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.
The Apostle Barnabas
The information contained in the historical record concerning
the Apostle Barnabas indicates that he was also martyred.
"Barnabas, Saint - He is said to have been martyred
in Cyprus." - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.
2001.
"Barnabas, Saint - Nothing is known for certain about
the time or circumstances of his death. Barnabas' alleged
martyrdom and burial in Cyprus are described in the apocryphal
Journeys and Martyrdom of Barnabas, a 5th-century
forgery." - Britannica.com
Conclusion
As we can see, not only were these specific eyewitnesses martyred
for the belief that Jesus' actually rose from the dead, but
many other eyewitness and Christians died for their belief
in this as well. The willingness of the eyewitnesses of Jesus'
resurrection to suffer such things demonstrates their strong
conviction concerning the truth of the resurrection. Thus,
any historical conclusion about the events of that famous
Sunday morning in which Jesus is reported to have risen from
the dead would have to include a cause sufficient to produce
this kind of enduring belief in the eyewitnesses. The most
reasonable explanation for why so many men would be willing
to suffer such things is that they did not steal the body
and knowingly lie about it, but instead they had, in fact,
witnessed the resurrected Jesus Christ and were so assured
of that experience that they were willing to suffer and die
for it.
