My theory, if you can call it that, is that the Lord gives those suffering for his name supernatural joy and courage in the midst of persecution. Not only do I think God brings us divine strength, courage, and faith if we’re killed for his sake, but the testimonies of Christians who were martyred bring an immense amount of encouragement to current saints. It helps the church prosper.

Eleven out of the twelve apostles were martyred. Tortured. Suffered agonizing and excruciating deaths. All for the sake of making Christ’s name known.

Do you know how each of them died? My pastor went over this topic recently during Bible study and I thought I’d share this information, too. The ways in which they were martyred will make you wince, but when you remember why they were martyred, you’ll be encouraged by their courage and faith.

Instead of writing it down, I thought I’d share this graphic that sums it up succinctly.

Beheadings. Crucifixions. Stoning. Sawn in half. Hebrews 11:36-38 talks about this and how these men—and every other martyr—are people of whom the world is not worthy.

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Persecution, I can imagine, makes us nervous. In our flesh, we don’t want to endure persecution. Why would we want to die? But there’s the other side. The Spirit of God dwells within us, and we joyfully endure persecution because it glorifies the Lord.

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