Martyrdom
Summary
The suffering of death for one's faith, a testimony so powerful it was called 'baptism in blood' by the early church.
☩Biblical Foundation
Jesus warned His followers: 'Brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child... and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake' (Matthew 10:21-22). He declared: 'Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it' (Matthew 16:25). Paul acknowledged: 'For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter' (Romans 8:36).
☩Old Testament Martyrs
Abel was the first martyr, killed by Cain for his righteous offering (Genesis 4:3-8). Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the LORD (1 Kings 18:4, 13). Jesus referenced martyrdom's history: 'That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias' (Matthew 23:35). Hebrews catalogs those 'tortured, not accepting deliverance... stoned... sawn asunder... slain with the sword' (Hebrews 11:35-37).
☩New Testament Examples
John the Baptist was beheaded for his faithful preaching (Mark 6:18-28). Stephen became the first Christian martyr, stoned while praying for his murderers (Acts 7:58-60). James the apostle was killed by Herod's sword (Acts 12:2). Jesus foretold Peter's martyrdom (John 21:18-19). Tradition records that most apostles died as martyrs.
☩Theology of Martyrdom
Early Christians considered martyrdom so meritorious it was called 'second baptism' or 'baptism in blood.' When catechumens died for Christ before water baptism, their martyrdom was deemed sufficient for salvation. Martyrs were believed to pass immediately to the beatific vision, enjoying privileges other Christians awaited until judgment day.
☩Revelation's Martyrs
John saw 'under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held' (Revelation 6:9). They cried for vindication, and were given white robes. The saints 'overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death' (Revelation 12:11). Babylon was 'drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus' (Revelation 17:6).
Related Verses29 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Martyrdom," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).