Friday, September 06, 2013

How the Apostles & Jesus Died - Read & Be Humbled

From: rapa/s&rm Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2013 Subject: How the Apostles Died
This has been around before.  It needs to go around again.  NOT MANY KNOW THIS, TAKE TIME TO READ THIS, AND BECOME HUMBLED.   And again.  I have never, ever seen this all in one place before! - rapa/s&rm

The Death of The Apostles
    "Christianity began in an atmosphere of persecution, and grew up in a climate of hostility.  The early Christians fully expected persecution.  Jesus had died on the cross so there was no higher honor than to die like Him in the carrying out of His work.  Of the first disciples, only John is believed to have escaped a martyr's death.
     The details of the martyrdoms of the disciples and apostles are found in traditional early church sources.  These traditions were recounted in the writings of the church fathers and the first official church history written by the historian Eusebiu
of Caesarea in A.D. 325.

     Although every detail of the following brief stories cannot be historically verified, there was the universal belief of the early Christian writers that each of the apostles had faced martyrdom faithfully without denying their faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. "
--  Voice of the Martyrs:

Ascribed to Eusebius, 325 A.D., in his book: 'The History of The Early Church'
     Eusebius c. AD 260/265 – 339/340) (also called Eusebius of Caesarea and Eusebius Pamphili) was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist.  He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314.  Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon and is regarded as an extremely well learned Christian of his time.  He wrote Demonstrations of the GospelPreparations for the Gospel, and On Discrepancies between the Gospels, studies of the Biblical text.  As "Father of Church History" he produced the Ecclesiastical HistoryOn the Life of Pamphilus, the Chronicle and On the Martyrs.
     Bishop Eusebius, a learned scholar who lived most of his life in Caesarea in Palestine, broke new ground in writing the History and provided a model for all later ecclesiastical historians.  In tracing the history of the Church from the time of Christ to the Great Persecution at the beginning of the fourth century and ending with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine, his aim was to show the purity and continuity of the doctrinal tradition of Christianity and its struggle against persecutors and heretics, and he supported his account by extensive quotations from original sources
     Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History is one of the classics of early Christianity and of equal stature with the works of Flavius Josephus.  Eusebius chronicles the events of the first three centuries of the Christian church in such a way as to record a vast number of vital facts about early Christianity that can be learned from no other ancient source.  When Eusebius wrote his Ecclesiastical History, his vital concern was to record facts before they disappeared, and before eye-witnesses were killed and libraries were burned and destroyed in persecutions by Rome.  He faithfully transcribed the most important existing documents of his day so that future generations would have a collection of factual data to interpret.  Thus Eusebius (c. A.D. 260-340) richly deserves the title "father of Church history."
Most of our information about the deaths of the apostles is derived from early church traditions.  While tradition is unreliable as to small details, it very seldom contains outright inventions.  Eusebius one of the most important of the early church historians wrote his history of the early church.   -- http://www.bibleprobe.com/apostles.htm

The Death of The Apostles
1  Matthew
     Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia.  Killed by a sword wound. 
2 Mark
    Died in Alexandria, Egypt after being dragged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.
3 Luke 
     Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous Preaching to the lost. 
4 John
     Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave
of persecution In Rome.  However, he was miraculously delivered From death.
     John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos .. 
     He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos.   The apostle John was
later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey.  He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.
5
Peter 
     He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross.  According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors
that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
6
James 
     The leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet
down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.  When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club. 
     * This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation. 
7
James the Great 
     Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a
lifetime of ministry.  As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem.  The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.  Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution.   Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
8
Bartholomew
     Also known as Nathaniel 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. 
9 Andrew
     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 expired. 
10 Thomas
     Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to
establish the church in the Sub-continent.
11
Jude 
     Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

12
Matthias
     The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.

13
Paul
     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 epistles 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. 

References, sources, attestations:
FACT! ...  In the world today ...  An average of 171,000 Christians worldwide are martyred for their faith per year.   These precious believers in Christ pay for their faith IN BLOOD - just as those who were empowered and entrusted to establish the early Church all those years ago.   -- http://omegatimes.com/article.php?intid=1287

From the Greek Orthodox Church of Oakmont, Pennsylvnia: http://dormitionpgh.org/tidbits/apostles.asp
The Twelve (12) ApostlesOur Lord originally appointed twelve apostles as his initial Church community, commissioned with the task of sharing the faith.  As told in the Gospels, Judas Iscariot was originally one of them, but with his apostasy and death, he was replaced with Matthias.  Their collective feast day is June 30.  The Apostles' names are listed at Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:14, Luke 6:12, Acts 1:13, 26.

Each one of these most holy and beneficial men ended their earthly life in the following manner:
Saint PeterSaint Peter
He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross.  According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
Saint AndrewSaint Andrew
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 expired.
Saint James (Son of Zebedee)Saint James (Son of Zebedee)
Also known as James The Greater.  James was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry.  As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem.  The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.  Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution.  Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
Apostle John (The Theologian)Saint John (The Theologian)
Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome.  He was miraculously delivered from death.  John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos.  He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos.  The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey.  He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.
Apostle PhilipSaint Philip
According to tradition he preached in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis while preaching in Hieropolis.  Through prayer he killed a giant snake that the pagans worshipped, which angered the unbaptized so much that they crucified him and St.  Bartholomew upside-down.  Again, the earth opened and swallowed his judge along with many pagans, and being terribly afraid the people rushed to bring the Apostles down from their torment.  But St.  Philip had already reposed.
Apostle BartholomewSaint Bartholomew (also called Nathaniel)
Crucified upside down in Hierapolis with the Apostle Philip for causing the death of a great serpent the people worshiped and healing people through prayer.  He was removed from the cross during a great earthquake because the people thought God was judging them; Saint Philip had already reposed.
Apostle ThomasSaint Thomas
Was pierced with a spear five spears in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the sub-continent.  The earlier traditions, as believed in the fourth century, say he preached in Parthia or Persia, and was finally buried at Edessa.  The later traditions carry him farther east.  His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a spear, and is commemorated by the Greek Church on October 6, and by the Indians on July 1.
Apostle Matthew (The Evangelist)Saint Matthew (The Evangelist)
He must have lived many years as an apostle, since he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least twenty years after the death of Christ.  There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes.  Eventually Matthew went to Ethiopia to spread the gospel.  There he was martyred by Fulvian, the ruler of the region, by being set on fire.
Apostle James (Son of Alpheus)Saint James (Son of Alpheus)
Also known as James The Lesser.  The leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ (this was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation).  When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.  We know he lived at least five years after the death of Christ because of mentions in the Bible.
Apostle JudeSaint Jude (Brother of James)
Also known as Thaddeus.  According to tradition, Jude taught in Armenia, Syria and Persia where he was martyred.  He was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.  Tradition tells us he was buried in Kara Kalisa in what is now Iran.
Apostle Simon (The Zealot)Saint Simon (The Zealot)
He ended his missionary work in Georgia.  Saint Simon was tortured and crucified by the pagans in Abkhazia.
Apostle MatthiasSaint Matthias
The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then was beheaded after death.
Apostle PaulSaint Paul
Saint Paul 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 epistles 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.
These are the names and the separate days of the celebrations of the Holy Twelve:
Peter:   June 29 and January 16
Andrew:   November 30
James (Son of Zebedee):   April 30
John (The Tehologian):   September 26 and May 8
Philip:   November 14
Bartholomew:   June 11 and August 25
Thomas:   October 6
Matthew (The Evangelist):   November 16
James (Son of Alphaeus):   October 9
Thaddeus or Jude (Brother of James):   June 19
Simon (The Zealot):   May 10
Matthias:   August 9
Paul:   June 29

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Author: Anonymous, Posted: 05/02/2006 at:  http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/pda/thread.php?topic_id=3136&&start=60

Eusebius, the most important of the early church historians wrote his history of the early church in A.D.  325.  He wrote, "The apostles and disciples of the Savior scattered over the whole world, preached the Gospel everywhere." The Church historian Schumacher researched the lives of the apostles and recounted the history of their martyrdoms.

  • Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.
  • Mark died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.
  • Luke was hanged by idolatrous priests on an olive tree in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.
  • John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome.  However, he was miraculously delivered from death.  John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos.  He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos.  The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey.  He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.
  • Peter was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ was crucified.
  • James the Just, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.  When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.  This was the same pinnacle where Jesus went to during his Temptation.
  • James the Greater, a son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry.  As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem.  The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.  Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution.  Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
  • Bartholomew, also know as Nathanael, was a missionary to Asia.  He witnessed to our Lord in present day Turkey.  Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia when he was flayed to death by a whip.
  • Andrew 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 expired.
  • Thomas was stabbed with a spear (lance) in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the subcontinent.
  • Jude, the brother of Jesus, was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
  • Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
  • Barnabas, one of the group of seventy disciples, wrote the Epistle of Barnabas.  He preached throughout Italy and Cyprus.  Barnabas was stoned to death at Salonica.
  • Paul was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero in Rome in A.D.  67.  Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. 

Below list of Martyrs from: http://www.about-jesus.org/martyrs.htm

The New Testament of the Bible records events that took place from the birth of Jesus Christ up through the time that Paul and the Apostles were traveling around the Roman Empire and evangelizing Christianity, at great risk to their own personal safety. The New Testament records few if any events after the 60s. Many of the Apostles were still alive at that time.

However, there are writings, outside of the Bible, that have been handed down to us by people who lived during the second, third and fourth centuries of this era, claiming that many of the Apostles were crucified, beheaded and otherwise martyred for their beliefs. 

It should be understood that these non-Biblical sources might vary greatly in terms of their accuracy. 

It should also be understood that it is clear from the Bible and from non-Biblical sources that many early Christians were persecuted and martyred for their beliefs. 

Some examples include the Bible's New Testament book of Acts, which records the martyrdom of the Apostle James the son of Zebedee, and of Stephen, a believer who was killed while evangelizing. 

Another example comes from Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, who wrote about another person named James, an early Christian church leader, who was executed because of his beliefs. Josephus wrote in his book called Antiquities of the Jews, book 20 (or book XX), chapter 9:

"Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned ... "

There are other examples. As for the Apostles, below is a summary of various traditions involving the manner of death for the Apostles. For convenience, the Apostles are listed in the same order in which they appear in Leonardo's famous painting, The Last Supper:

 Bartholomew
There is a non-Biblical document called the "Martyrdom of Bartholomew," which claims that Bartholomew was martyred by King Astyages in Armedia:

"And when he had thus spoken, the king was informed that this god Baldad and all the other idols had fallen down, and were broken in pieces. Then the king rent the purple in which he was clothed, and ordered the holy apostle Bartholomew to be beaten with rods; and after having been thus scourged, to be beheaded." -Martyrdom of Bartholomew.

Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles and is mentioned in the Bible's New Testament, in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; and Acts 1:13. 

According to Eusebius, Christian writer who lived during the 4th Century of this era (about 1600 years ago), Bartholomew traveled to India to preach to the people there, leaving behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew: "Pantaenous is said to have gone among the Indians where a report is that he discovered there the Gospel according to St. Matthew among some who knew Christ; Bartholomew, one of the Apostles had preached to them and had left them the writings of St. Matthew in Hebrew letters."

 James son of Alphaeus
James son of Alphaeus, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs, was beaten, stoned and clubbed to death.

 Andrew
Andrew might have been martyred in Achaia or Patrae, both of which are places in the western part of Greece. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "It is generally agreed that he was crucified by order of the Roman Governor, Aegeas or Aegeates, at Patrae in Achaia, and that he was bound, not nailed, to the cross, in order to prolong his sufferings. The cross on which he suffered is commonly held to have been the decussate cross, now known as St. Andrew's, though the evidence for this view seems to be no older than the fourteenth century. His martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero, on 30 November, A.D. 60); and both the Latin and Greek Churches keep 30 November as his feast."

 Peter
It is believed that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome during the 60s.

 Judas
Judas Iscariot was not a martyr. He killed himself after betraying Jesus.

 John
John is believed to have died of natural causes, and he might have been the only Apostle to have done so.

 Jesus
Jesus was falsely accused by local religious leaders and crucified by the Romans. He was resurrected, meaning he returned to life. 

 Thomas
Thomas was killed with a spear, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear." 

 James son of Zebedee
The martyrdom of James son of Zebedee is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, in Acts 12:1-2. He was executed, with a sword, by order of King Herod Agrippa I in the year 44 AD: 

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. - Acts 12:1-2.

We also learn in Acts, chapter 12, that King Herod Agrippa I also imprisoned Peter for a while.

 Philip
Philip was crucified, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54."

 Matthew
Matthew was killed with a spear, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60."

 Thaddeus (Jude)
Jude was crucified, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72."

 Simon
Simon was crucified, according to Foxs' Book of Martyrs: "Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74."

Copyright © About-Jesus.org

The bulleted items below from an Internet post by an anonymous writer, monicker: Lotan at http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/pda/thread.php?topic_id=3136&&start=60
  • Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
  • Elisha died in bed in his own house (2 Kings 13:14-19).  Died of old age.
  • Moses lived until 120.  Died of old age.
  • Joshua His work being done, he died, at the age of one hundred and ten years, twenty-five years after having crossed the Jordan.  Died of old age.
  • Nehemiah set himself with vigour to rectify the flagrant abuses that had sprung up, and restored the orderly administration of public worship and the outward observance of the law of Moses.  Of his subsequent history we know nothing.  Probably he remained at his post as governor till his death (about B.C.  413) in a good old age.
  • Samuel his death took place at Ramah when he was probably about eighty years of age.  "And all Israel gathered themselves together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah" 1Sam (25:1).  Died of old age.
  • Daniel The time and circumstances of his death are not recorded.  He probably died at Susa, about eighty-five years of age.  Died of old age.
  • Hosea was directed by Yahweh to marry a harlot.  The period of his ministry (extending to some sixty years) is indicated in the superscription (Hos.  1:1, 2).  He is the only prophet of Israel who has left any written prophecy.  Died of old age.
  • Jeremiah was persecuted by the religious leaders, and faced a great deal of hostility and resistance, including an attempted execution. He lived till the reign of Evil-merodach, son of Nebuchadnezzar, and must have been about ninety years of age at his death.  Died of old age.
(There's no evidence that any of these following 'prophets' came to a bad end.   The Bible doesn't mention that they are in any particular danger of anything, it just doesn't record their deaths, possibly because they were unremarkable? -- Lotan)
  • Nathan last appears assisting David in reorganizing the public worship (2 Chr.  29:25).  He seems to have written a life of David, and also a life of Solomon (1 Chr.  29:29; 2 Chr.  9:29).  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Ezra put the Old Testament much into the shape in which it is still found in the Hebrew Bible.  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Esther The time and manner of her death are unknown.
  • Iddo The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Jehu The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Shemaiah The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Malachi although not even a real person, just for fun - The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Habakkuk Practically nothing is known about Habakkuk's personal history.  Habakkuk is unique among the prophets in that he openly questions the wisdom of God.  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Haggai Scarcely anything is known of his personal history.  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Nahum All we know of him is recorded in the book of his prophecies.  He was probably a native of Galilee, and after the deportation of the ten tribes took up his residence in Jerusalem.  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Micah Very little is known of the circumstances of his life.  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Joel The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Jonah The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Amos The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Obadiah Copied Jeremiah (or vice versa).  The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Ezekiel was probably carried away captive with Jehoiachin (1:2; 2 Kings 24:14-16) about B.C.  597.  His prophetic call came to him "in the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity" (B.C.  594).   The time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Isaiah There is a tradition that he suffered martyrdom in the heathen reaction in the time of Manasseh, but the time and manner of his death are unknown.
  • Uriah is known for burning the manuscript of one of the prophecies of Jeremiah. Killed by King Jehoiakim.
  • Zephaniah was put to death by the king of Babylon "at Riblah in the land of Hamath" (2 Kings 25:21). Killed by Nebuchadnezzar.
  • Ahijah fled and took refuge at the altar, and received pardon for his conduct from Solomon on the condition that he showed himself "a worthy man" (1 Kings 1:5-53).  Afterwards, Adonijah made a second attempt to gain the throne, but was seized and put to death (1 Kings 2:13-25). Killed by King Solomon.
  • Zechariah They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Yahweh.  Chron.  24:20-21 Killed by King Joash.

"Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the Apostles and Disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith.   And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: But he that endureth to the end shall be saved." -- Matthew

Faith is not believing that God can, It is knowing that God WILL!?

The Death of Jesus
Jesus' Death -
The Death of Jesus 
For the next 60 seconds, set aside whatever yuou're doing and take this opportunity!  Let's see if Satan can stop this.


THE (SCIENTIFIC) DEATH OF JESUS

     At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to death.  At the time Crucifixion was the "worst" death.   Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified.   Yet it was even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion, Jesus was to be nailed to the Cross by His hands and feet.  Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long.   The nails were driven into His wrist.   Not Into His palms as is commonly Portrayed.  There's a tendon in the wrist that Extends to the shoulder.  The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist that tendons would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself so that He could breath. 
     Both of His feet were nailed together.  Thus He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the
cross.  Jesus could not support himself with His legs because of the pain so He was forced to alternate between arching His back then using His legs just to continue to breath.   Imagine the struggle, the pain, the Suffering, the Courage. 
     Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours.   Yes, Over 3 hours!
     Can you imagine this kind of Suffering?  A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding.   He was simply pouring water from his wounds.  
     From common images we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound To His side...
     But do we realize how His wounds were actually made in his body?
    A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped, and an even large nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear.   But Before the nails and the spear Jesus was whipped and beaten.   The whipping was so severe that it tore the Flesh from His body.   The beating so horrific that His Face was torn and His beard ripped from His face.   The Crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp.   Most men would not have survived this torture.  He had no more blood To bleed out, only water poured from His wounds.   The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters (just less than a gallon) of blood.  Jesus poured all 3.5 Liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His members; a crown of thorns on His head and, beyond that, a Roman soldier who stabbed a spear into His chest.. 
     All these without mentioning the humiliation He suffered after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in His hace and threw stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight - only for its higher part, where His hands were Nailed.)  Jesus had to endure this experience, to open the Gates of Heaven, so that you can have free access to God.   So that your sins
could be "washed" away.   All of them, with no exception!
     Don't ignore this situation. 
JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU!
     He died for you!  It Is easy to pass jokes or foolish photos by e-mail, but when it comes to God, sometimes you feel ashamed to forward to others
because you are worried of what they may think about you.  God Has plans for you.  Show all your friends what He experienced to save you.   Now think about this!  May God bless your Life!  60 Seconds with God...
     For the next 60 Seconds, set aside what you're doing and take this opportunity!  Let's see if Satan can stop this.. 
All you have to do Is:
1.  Simply Pray for the person who sent this message to you:
2.  Then, send this Message to people..  The more the better.
3.  People will Pray for you and you will make that many people pray to God For other people.
4.  Take a moment to appreciate the power of God in your life, for doing what pleases Him. 
     If you are not Ashamed to do this, please, follow Jesus' instructions.  He said (Matthew 10:32 & 33) "Everyone therefore who acknowledges M
e before others, I also will acknowledge before My Father in Heaven; but whosoever denies Me before others, I also will deny before My Father in Heaven". 

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