The Disciples: John & James part 2

Acts 12:1-2 (NLT)                  

“About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.  He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.”

If you remember, Jesus told the disciples that it would not be easy to be known as one of His followers. In fact, Jesus told them in Matthew 10 that they would be hated because of His name (Mt. 10:22). They had been witnesses to how much the Roman leaders hated even John the Baptist when he was put to death. But they stayed faithful after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and receiving the power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, which was about 30 AD.

During the time of persecution, the disciples were scattered and traveled proclaiming the message of the gospel. Even in the face of possible death, they did not back down. In 44 AD, Herod Agrippa I had James arrested and beheaded, making him the first of the apostles to be martyred.

John, the beloved, lived a long life, writing the Gospel of John, I, II, & III John, and Revelations. But he did not live an easy life. At one time, they tried to boil him in oil, but he miraculously survived. So they sent him to live in exile on the Isle of Patmos. He was later released and returned to live out his days in Ephesus.

We need to wake up and realize that the early church fathers lived through so much so that we would hear the message of grace and deliverance by serving God with all that they had, even giving their very lives. We should be willing to do the same!

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