Martyrdom is a form of religious persecution. The word 'martyr' comes from the Greek word translated "witness". A Christian martyr is one who chooses to die, usually by means of a cruel or tortured means like stoning, crucifixion, beheading, etc., instead of renouncing a core principle or belief about their Christian faith.

The first Christian martyr was probably Saint Stephen as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-8:3) who was stoned to death for his faith. Stephen was killed (i.e., martyred) for his support, belief and faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. There were probably many other early Christian martyrs besides Stephen since Saul, later_known as the Apostle Paul of Tarsus, is mentioned as bringing many murderous threats upon the disciples or followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1ff.).

In subsequent centuries, especially during periods of widespread inquisition and Protestant Reformation, many Christians were martyred by other Christians, often on charges of heresy.

There are many incredible stories, ancient and contemporary, of Christian martyrdom.

Early Christian martyrs

• Saint Stephen was stoned and some 2,000 other Christians suffered at the time of Stephen's persecution.
• James the Great (Son of Zebedee) was beheaded in 44 A.D.
• Philip was crucified in 54 A.D.
• Matthew killed by a halberd in 60 A.D.
• James the Less, beaten to death by a club after being crucified.
• Matthias was stoned and beheaded.
• Andrew, St. Peter's brother, was crucified.
• Mark was beaten to death.
• Peter, Saint Peter, crucified upside-down.
• Paul, Apostle Paul, beheaded in Rome.
• Jude was crucified.
• Bartholomew was crucified.
• Thomas, was killed by a spear.
• Luke was hanged.
• Simon was crucified in 74 A.D.
• John the Evangelist was cooked in boiling hot oil but survived and died of old age circa 110 A.D.

2nd and 3rd century A.D.

• Polycarp of Smyrna, probably around 160 A.D.
• Ignatius of Antioch in 107 A.D.
• Justin Martyr of Palestine in 168 A.D.
• Origen of Alexandria, about 250 A.D.

Middle Ages Period, 5th century to 15th century

• John Huss (Jan Huss), 1415

Reformation period, 16th century

• Conrad Grebel, 1526
• Felix Manz, 1527
• George Blaurock, 1529
• William Tyndale, 1536
• Hugh Latimer, 1555
• Nicholas Ridley (martyr), 1555
• Rowland Taylor, 1555
• John Hooper, 1555
• John Rogers (religious), 1555
• William Hunter (Protestant martyr), 1555
• Lawrence Saunders, 1555
• Thomas Cranmer, 1556
• Dirk Willems, 1569

See also

• Martyrs Mirror
• Martyrs' Memorial
• Marian martyr
• Catacombs of Rome
• Roman Emperor
• Religious Persecution

External links

• Voice of the Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com)
• Crying Voice in the Wilderness (http://www.cryingvoice.com/Christian_martyrs/)
• International Christian Concern (http://www.persecution.org/newsite/)

Sources

• Rick Wade, "Persecution in the Early Church." (http://www.probe.org/docs/persecution.html)
• The History of the Early Christian Martyrs (http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?apostles.htm)
• John Foxe, Foxe's Book of Martyrs.
• D.C. Talk, Jesus Freaks: DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs - Stories of Those Who Stood For Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks.
• Voice of the Martyrs, Extreme Devotion.