Martyrs

I don't know about you, but sometimes I forget when I'm reading the Bible what happened to the men of the New Testament. This morning in Sunday School we talked shortly about Paul's death as a martyr, and that the "opposition" tried to quickly get rid of the eye-witnesses of Christ because they have the strongest testimony, which makes complete sense if you're trying to destroy a "movement." So here are their stories, all martyrs for the sake of the Good News: Stephen- stoned to death (recorded in Acts), James- beheaded with his accuser (because his accuser was so amazed at James' courage he chose to be beheaded with him), Philip- crucified, Matthew- slain with a. halberd, James the less- beaten and stoned and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club, Matthias- stoned and beheaded, Andrew- crucified on an X cross, Mark- dragged to pieces, Peter- crucified upside down (because he said he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Christ), Paul- beheaded, Jude- crucified, Bartholomew- crucified, Thomas- thrust through with a spear, Luke- hanged, Simon- crucified. My reference was Fox's Book of Martyrs.
Even when the eye-witnesses were all "offed", the movement continued and continues to this day in our own testimonies of what Jesus Christ has done in our lives. I can't help but think of the martyrs of our generation, Rachel Scott and Cassie Burnall of the Columbine High School shootings, who answered "Yes" to the question, "Are you a Christian?" They will receive the greatest reward.