Q & A: What does Reverend Deal say this week!
“Following Jesus requires a total effort”
Question: Were all of the original disciples killed for Jesus’ sake?
Answer: Apostle John was the only original disciple not to experience martyrdom. John was exiled to an island called Patmos. At Patmos John died at an old age. The remaining disciples were martyred for their belief in Jesus. Following Jesus requires a 100% effort. The Holy Spirit will require you to perform certain duties that you never thought you would or could do. Our existence is for God’s pleasure.
Mark 8:34-35 says ‘whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For who-ever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it’. The original disciples were fanatics for the Lord. Have you ever felt that way? I have on many occasions.
Listed are the disciples and how they died: Peter – crucified upside down. Andrew – tied to the cross rather than nailed for a longer time suffering. James – beheaded. Philip – crucified. Bartholomew – skinned alive then beheaded. Thomas – marty-red with a spear. Matthew – stabbed in the back. James – beaten and stone then died by a club to the head. Thaddaeus – crucified. Simon – crucified. Judas – two versions (1) hanged himself (2) fell headlong from a high place and burst open.
Reverend Dr. David Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Reverend Deal can be reached at the Westside Gazette, 545 N.W. Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33311, or by email at David.Deal55@gmail.com
