WHERE DID THE 12 GO?
By Reya
Buenaventura and Jasmine Grace Rivera
Somehow, we
all knew what happened to Jesus’s disciples --- that most of them ended up in a
martyr death. But let us look back again to what happened to them and let us
see the conviction of their joy even at the point of death.
Simon Peter
– Also known as Cephas (John 1:42), died a martyr death. He was appointed by Jesus
as the leader of the new sect. Though known as the very first pope by the Roman
Catholics, he was, during the reign of Emperor Nero, was martyred and was
crucified upside down, as he asked for
him not to die an equal death with Jesus.
Andrew –
Just like his brother Peter, Andrew was also crucified. It was when he went to Patras, in Western
Greece and had a debate with Aegeates,
a Roman proconsul and tried to convince him to forsake Christianity, so that he
would not have to torture and execute him.
Yet Andrew didn’t comply and so he was then scourged, tied instead of being
nailed so that his agony was longer and lived for two days and used this
opportunity to preach among passersby.
James, son of Zebedee – was killed by a sword
(beheaded). Herod Agrippa, the newly appointed governor of Judea was seeking
favor from the Romans that’s why he arrested and persecuted leaders of the new
sect, including James. And when James was about to be executed, his unnamed accuser was moved by his
courage. He did not only repented and converted on the spot, but asked to be
executed alongside James. Both of them are beheaded.
John the Beloved – John was amazingly the only apostle
who did not die a gory death. He instead died out of old age.
Philip – Just like mostly of the others also died
through crucifixion. Upon travelling in Asia as a missionary, he came to
Heleopolis in Egypt and there was scourged, thrown into prison and crucified.
Bartholomew – On one account, he was said to also die
of crucifixion by “impatient idolaters”. Though on another account it was said
that he was skinned alive and then was beheaded.
Thomas – He
was able to preach the gospel in Greece and India, but when he angered some
local authorities, they martyred him by running him through with a spear.
Matthew – It
was said that he criticized King Hertacus’ morals and was ordered to be stabbed
in the back by a swordsman sent by the king.
James (son
of Alphaeus) – Though considered as one of the longest-lived apostles and
became the head of churches in Jerusalem, James at the age of 94 was beaten and
stoned by prosecutors, and killed him by hitting his head with a club.
Thaddaeus –
Different stories has it, but one things is clear from those, he was crucified
at Edessa.
Simon the
Canaanite – Simon preached in Mauritana in Africa, went to England after where
he was crucified.
Judas
Iscariot – Though with many records, the treacherous apostle according to
Matthew 27:3-6 felt immediate remorse after the betrayal he has done and went
to the Temple to withdraw and give back the 30 pieces of silver he had but the
high priests then didn’t listen to his plea. In return he went off and hanged
himself.
Sources:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/killing-jesus/articles/how-did-the-apostles-die/
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