“I have been writing this volume while residing in Germany for a teaching trip. I am humbled by penning these 95 theses in the same country as Martin Luther did many years ago. I submit these to the evangelical church of our day and pray that God would allow anything of truth in these pages to bend and change men’s hearts back to God.” – Greg Gordon – http://www.sermonindex.net
**
“It is useless for large companies of believers to spend long hours begging God to send revival. Unless we intend to reform we may as well not pray. Unless praying men have the insight and faith to amend their whole way of life to conform to the New Testament pattern there can be no true revival.” – A.W. Tozer
**
Thesis 1 – The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God.(Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Mathew 6:9).
Thesis 2 – Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2.(Acts 2:42,44, Acts 2:46, Acts 2:38).
Thesis 3 – We meet for one hour a week and consider that apostolic church. Many evangelicals treat church like any other social club or sports event that they attend.(Acts 2:46, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 1:14).
Thesis 4 – We have made Christianity about the individual rather then a community of believers.(1 John 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:16, Jude 19).
Thesis 5 – In evangelical churches the priesthood of all believers is not acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. The biblical view of a plurality of elders is practiced by very few.(1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:11-13).
Thesis 6 – The evangelical church as a whole has lost the concept of their being engrafted into the promises given to Israel.(Romans 11:17-18,20, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:15).
Thesis 7 – There needs to be a recovery back to teaching through the whole counsel of God expositionally.(Acts 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15).
Thesis 8 – We take it too lightly, the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession.(Psalm 119:16, Acts 13:44,  Nehemiah 8:9).
Thesis 9 – There has never been more access to the word of God yet so little reading of it.(1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Psalm 119:59).
Thesis 10 – Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge and do not practice what they read.(James 1:22, Matthew 7:21, 3 John 4).
Thesis 11 – Worship has become an idol in many churches. The music resembles the world more than anything else. (Amos 5:23, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 5:21).
Thesis 12 – The world is shaping the views of the evangelical church more than the church shaping the views of the world. (Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:13, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).
Thesis 13 – The evangelical church spends more money on dog food then missions.(2 Corinthians 9:6, Luke 21:2, Acts 4:34-35).
Thesis 14 – We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and consider following Him a sort of jovial thing rather then it truly costing us our actual entire lives.(Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 8:19-20).
Thesis 15 – There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples.(Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:14).
Thesis 16 – The modern day evangelical believes the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while other parts are to be worldly and secular. Rather than our entire life’s being spiritual and our walk with God. (1 Peter 4:2, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 2:6).
Thesis 17 – The modern day evangelical finds Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent.(Philippians 2:21, James 3:16, Romans 12:1-2).
Thesis 18 – Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting, praying, suffering are considered legalistic.(2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 1:8, Matthew 6:17).
Thesis 19 – Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the gospel, and the sacrifice of the call of Christ.(Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 10:34).
Thesis 20 – We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace in the Church. Flippant confession, shallow consecration, superficial surrender.(Luke 14:28-30, Luke 14:26, James 4:8).
Thesis 21 – Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ  was preached with the requirements of repentance and discipleship.(Acts 2:38, Luke 14:26, John 8:31).
Thesis 22 – Presently, the “High-Calling in Christ Jesus,” has never been offered at such a low level. Forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity, confession without consecration.(Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 4:11, Luke 13:24).
Thesis 23 – Such terms as: Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, repentance from dead works, are all foreign to this church age of cheap grace.(Acts 2:37, Psalm 119:9, Hebrews 6:1-2).
Thesis 24 – The modern evangelical church loves itself more than its neighbor. (1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3).
Thesis 25 – The church must repent of its idolization of personality and business principles.(2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:23).
Thesis 26 – The elders and pastors of the church, as ministers of the gospel, are charged by Jesus to feed the sheep. But sadly many are fleecing the flock to supply their wants.(John 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 2:15).
Thesis 27 – The qualities most in demand in today’s pastorate are frequently foreign to the qualities which are made most important in Scripture.(1 Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 1:5-7).
Thesis 28 – The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of.(2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 2:6).
Thesis 29 – There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate.(3 John 9, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 12:22).
Thesis 30 – The evangelical pastor must trust the Spirit, not statistics.(2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 8:14).
Thesis 31 – Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect.(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Jeremiah 1:7-8).
Thesis 32 – God’s prophets are ill treated and shunned by most evangelicals and considered too extreme or harsh.(Jeremiah 6:10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 4:16).
Thesis 33 – An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?(Matthew 24:4,11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Jude 8).
Thesis 34 – There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits. God has no interest and is not required to honor a gospel that is false.(2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Jude 16).
Thesis 35 – There is an epidemic of a sort of “mock” salvation being preached from many pulpits today. It is a gospel message that is not authentic. It is correct in doctrine but false in reality.(2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 John 5:11-12, Romans 8:9).
Thesis 36 – What is this “mock” salvation that is being spoken of? Simply defined it is a salvation that does not make men holy.(Jude 4, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:17-18).
Thesis 37 – No other evangelical phraseology has caused more damage to true gospel preaching then this simple coined phrase: “we are all just sinners saved by grace.”(Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 10:26-27).
Thesis 38 – There is a gospel message that keeps men sinners and never allows them to change and become saints in actual experience.(1 John 2:29, Colossians 3:5-8, Titus 3:8).
Thesis 39 – The warning of Christ is against this gospel where professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ.(Matthew 23:13, Psalm 119:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4).
Thesis 40 – Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God.(John 6:26, Romans 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11).
Thesis 41 – Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke.(Jeremiah 6:14, Proverbs 1:23, 1 Timothy 5:20).
Thesis 42 – Run from gospels that focus on your success and prosperity. From those that use the name of Jesus Christ only for personal gain. (John 2:16, Acts 20:33, Jeremiah 6:13).
Thesis 43 – Run from gospels that focus only on self-improvement.(1 Timothy 6:5, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:14).
Thesis 44 – Run from churches where men and not Christ are glorified.(Colossians 1:18, Jude 25, John 16:14).
Thesis 45 – Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no searching Word, no repentance from sin, no mention of the blood of Christ.(1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 3:13, Revelation 1:5).
Thesis 46 – Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence.(1 Corinthians 5:4, Psalm 80:14-15, Jeremiah 12:11).
Thesis 47 – Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin.(1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 10:30-31, Hebrews 4:13).
Thesis 48 – Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda.(Jude 10-11, Jude 19, 3 John 9).
Thesis 49 – Run from those who preach division between races and cultures.(James 2:4, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 5:9).
Thesis 50 – Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying.(Jeremiah 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 John 2:16).
Thesis 51 – Run from preachers who tell only stories and jokes.(Ephesians 5:4, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:12).
Thesis 52 – Run from those that are only after money and they use one gimmick after another to get your money.(2 Peter 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Corinthians 9:18).
Thesis 53 – The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.” Is not found in the Scriptures.(Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:20).
Thesis 54 – Evidence of true conversion is something that does not seem important to modern day evangelicals.(1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:17, Matthew 7:20).
Thesis 55 – In result thousands of sinners think of God having only one attribute, love! which has allowed multitudes to sit at ease with their sins.(Romans 1:18, Acts 5:11, Psalm 2:12).
Thesis 56 – God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life has caused much confusion in evangelism to the lost.(Romans 3:19, Acts 26:18, Philippians 3:18-21).
Thesis 57 – A Gospel of love and grace only without the law of God is being preached. Martin Luther called this gospel a doctrine of Satan.(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 2:4-5, Romans 3:19).
Thesis 58 – We have inherited a system of evangelistic preaching which is unbiblical. This has clearly arisen from the careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation.(Colossians 2:8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 1:6).
Thesis 59 – Decisionism and the sinners prayer has been the major cause of false conversions in the evangelical church.(2 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
Thesis 60 – Evangelicals are swelling the ranks of the deluded with a perverted gospel! Many who have made decisions in churches have been told in the inquiry rooms their sins have been forgiven will be surprised to hear “I never knew you depart from me.”(Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21).
Thesis 61 – Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit of God in confirming men in their supposed salvation.(1 John 2:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Galatians 6:12-15).
Thesis 62 – The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most evangelicals.(Matthew 13:42, James 5:1, Psalms 9:17).
Thesis 63 – The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern evangelical pulpit.(2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13).
Thesis 64 – The second coming of Jesus Christ needs to be re-instated as the general thrust and burden of the church. (1 John 3:2-3, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).
Thesis 65 – The evangelical church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God. (Hebrews 12:28-29, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31).
Thesis 66 – The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals rather than simply obeying the Scriptures call to personally evangelize themselves.(Acts 8:1,4, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14).
Thesis 67 – Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life.(Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:17, 2 Peter 3:9).
Thesis 68 – The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not imposed on sinners initially and creates half-saved people who have a Saviour but not a Lord.(Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 6:18).
Thesis 69 – We are not open to correction, discipline or rebuke. And most would rather just move to another evangelical church somewhere down the road.(1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:7-9).
Thesis 70 – There is a great deal of preaching that amounts to a mere believing of the different theories about salvation, instead of persuading men to come to Christ and be saved.(John 5:40, Colossians 1:28, 2 Corinthians 4:5).
Thesis 71 – There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel.(1 Timothy 1:11, Jude 25, Romans 15:29).
Thesis 72 – There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from evangelical pulpits.(John 3:20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5).
Thesis 73 – Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling the world’s goods is something that does not appear wrong to evangelicals.(Jeremiah 22:17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:3).
Thesis 74 – Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. Yet it was one of the major themes and glories of the apostolic church.(1 Corinthians 15:14-15, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33).
Thesis 75 – The evangelical church has relied more on technology then God.(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4).
Thesis 76 – The prayer meeting is considered in the evangelical church one of the least important meetings. The idea of meeting for an entire day together seems ridiculous and a waste of time.(1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:31, Philippians 4:6).
Thesis 77 – Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the evangelical church in our day.(Jeremiah 10:21, Philippians 2:21, Ephesians 6:18-19).
Thesis 78 – Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for the church.(Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31).
Thesis 79 – The evangelical church has many organizers but few agonizers.(Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 9:1-3, Jeremiah 9:1).
Thesis 80 – We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. The one gift we need the most is the gift of prophecy.(2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 12:31).
Thesis 81 – The evangelical church at large has never been more frivolous about the things of God. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached. (2 Peter 3: 11, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 3).
Thesis 82 – The evangelical church at large has forgotten how to pray.(1 John 3:22, Acts 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Thesis 83 – Churches are more dependent on tradition rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 7:13, Acts 16:6, Acts 13:2).
Thesis 84 –  It might seem strange to say that ministers of religion are “pleading for impurity and sin.” Yet this is exactly what multitudes of professors preach and teach that you cannot be free from sin. That you must sin!(Romans 16:18, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1).
Thesis 85 – The Apostles and Christ always preached from the vantage point of the possibility to walk holy and free from sin.(Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 6:19).
Thesis 86 – Sinners are not saved to sin but rather saved to holiness and good works.(Romans 6:13, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:14).
Thesis 87 – Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the church.(2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:12).
Thesis 88 – A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day.(1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Thesis 89 – Most in the Church are utterly confused about the practical godliness, obedience, and good works which the Scriptures readily mentions.(Titus 3:8, John 10:32, Revelation 3:15).
Thesis 90 – Little or no emphasis is put in evangelical churches on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ, conforming us to His image.(1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 4:1).
Thesis 91 – Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly Church or for worldly Saints but for a “glorious Church.”(Ephesians 5:27, Titus 2:14, Colossians 4:12).
Thesis 92 – Christ does not come into our unregenerate, sickly, impure hearts as many contemporary theologians say. He gives us a new heart to dwell in wherein is found holiness and righteousness.(2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:8, Ezekiel 18:31).
Thesis 93 – A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy Church is God’s judgment upon the world.(Matthew 5:14,16, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:12).
Thesis 94 – If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more then a theory.(2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Thesis 95 – Unbelief has us captive; the evangelical church is gagged and bound as risen Lazarus, it needs release in this final hour! (Hebrews 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Hebrews 11:6).

Never in the history of Christianity has there been so many sermons and preachers begging for money. Is God broke? God says “blessed are the poor” we say in our twisted days “blessed are the rich”. God says “godliness with contentment is great gain!” we say in our materialistic age “godliness is great financial gain!”. Right now as I am writing this article there are 1000′s of T.V. preachers begging for money. There are 10,000′s of people opening envelopes and emails as we speaking right now of ministries pleading for financial support. What a travesty that the first impression of the mind of unbelievers in North America is that Christianity is about money.

I admit personally in my life and ministry there were times where I asked for financial support and went against my conscience in that matter. I do believe there is reason and balance and it will vary from ministry to ministry of making some need known. But I do feel the best and most excellent way is to serve God and ask the Father in secret for your needs.

Judas was the money changer and it is surprising so many pastors want to follow in the steps of Judas rather then Jesus. Never has so little been done with so much money for the Gospel. The Gospel work of Jesus Christ requires little money but much men. It requires little financial begging but much knee work before God in prayer. If we were prevailing with God instead of pleading with men for our needs they would have been met overabundantly by this point.

Zac Poonen said this: “The early Christians were humble enough to acknowledge their lack of wisdom in such matters. That was why they gave their gifts to the apostles to be distributed to the poor. But those apostles never touched any of that money themselves.” Their are needs for money to be given for the poor, helpless, and to some workers of the gospel “the workman is worthy of his hire.” But what a contrast we see between these Apostles in the Scriptures and the modern day pastor.

This is a challenge to all Christians to stop giving to these ministries on T.V. who are fleecing the sheep and making themselves rich. Give to ministries that are humble, small, that don’t beg. Find modern day prophets to give to. Don’t give to the slick sleek pastor who just says “nice” things to comfort you.

I close with a very profitable list from Zac Poonen which he calls the “Ten Commandments” on money for Christian workers:

1. Never make your financial needs known to anyone but God (Phil.4:19).
2. Never accept money from unbelievers (3 John 7).
3. Never expect any gifts from anyone (Psa.62:5).
4. Never allow anyone to control you or influence your ministry by giving you money.
5. Never accept money from those who don’t receive your ministry.
6. Never accept money for your personal or family needs, from anyone poorer than you.
7. Never be dependent on any man for your financial needs.
8. Never handle God’s money in a way that would cause others to suspect mishandling (2 Cor.8:20,21).
9. Never be excited when you receive money.
10. Never be depressed when you lose money.

Brethren, I would like to speak to you about a very sobering subject tonight. I ask you to leave now if you truly don’t desire to be challenged in your Christian walk tonight. I ask you to leave if you just wanted to hear some entertaining preacher who would tell you stories and jokes. Please do not be offended, all I am desiring to ask you is this: “Have you come to understand and walk in, true christianity?”

Believe me when I say this, time is coming soon that you would wish that you heard many more mesages of this content and type.

Time is coming soon that we all wish we would have much more prepared our faith for the things coming on the earth.

Brethren, time is coming soon when we would have all wished we would have suffering more, prayed more, evangelized more, lived more for Christ.

Christ is risen. He is the only way to heaven. He was the reward of saints gone by.

Christ and nothing! Men of old gave everything for Christ.

Christ was to them a pearl of such great price it was worth selling everything.
I would like to tonight, take you through 3 topics of consideration.

1. Martyrdom and Suffering in Scripture

2. The suffering of Early Christian Maryrs

3. The example of Anabaptists

1. Martyrdom and Suffering in Scripture

There is so literally so much scripture on the topic of suffering and martrydom in the bible that we will just have to look at a few portions tonight.

Genesis 4

1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
1 John 3:12-13

12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Hebrews 11

32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Romans 8

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 24:9-10

9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

2. The example of Early Christian Maryrs

The deaths of the Apostles:

· Andrew: Martyrdom by crucifixion (bound to a cross).

· Bartholomew: Martyrdom by being Flayed alive and crucified, head downward.

· James the Greater: Martyrdom by being stabbed with a sword.

· James the Lesser: Martyrdom by being thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple at Jerusalem , then stoned and beaten with clubs.

· John: An attempt to boil him alive in oil. Exiled to Patmos.

· Mark: Was dragged in the streets until his death.

· Jude: Martyrdom by being beaten to death with a club.

· Matthew: Martyrdom by being beheaded.

· Peter: Martyrdom by crucifixion at Rome with his head downwards.

· Philip: Martyrdom.2

· Simon: Martyrdom by being sawn in half.

· Thomas: Martyrdom by being stabbed with a spear.

· Paul: Martyrdom by being beheaded in Rome.

Tortures and Torments of the Christian Martyrs

Of Crosses and Stakes: A. Martyrs suspended by one foot. B. Suspended by both feet. C. Raised on the cross, head uppermost. D. nailed to the cross, head downwards. E. Hung up by both arms, heavy weights being attached to the feet. F. Christian woman suspended by the hair. G. Martyrs hung up by one arm only, ponderous stones being fastened to their feet.

Divers Modes of Suspension: A. Martyr suspended by both feet, and a great stone fastened to his neck. B. Sometimes the Blessed Martyrs, after being smeared with honey were bound to stakes fixed in the ground, and so exposed to the rays of the sun to be tortured by the stings of flies and bees. C. Martyr suspended by one foot; one leg is bent at the knee, which is constricted by means of an iron ring, the other being weighted with a heavy mass of iron.

More suspensions: A. Martyr suspended by the feet, and his head at the same tim pounded with hammers. B. Martyr suspended by the hands, which are tied behind his back, heavy weights being fastened to his feet and around his neck.

The Great Wheel: A. Sometimes martyrs were bound to the circumference of great wheels, and so hurled from a height over stony places.

Wheels of a Second Sort: A. Martyr whose limbs are interwoven in the spokes of a wheel, on which he is left exposed for days, till he dies. B. Martyr bound to a narrow wheel, which is revolved, so that his body is horribly mangled on iron spikes fixed underneath.

Wherein Bodies were Racked and Stretched: A. A pulley. B. martyrs racked at the pulleys. C. Crushed in the press, just as grapes and olives are pressed in making wine and oil. D. Capstan or windlass.

Raised on a Pulley: A. Martyr, with his hands tied behind his back, hoisted in the air by a rope. B. Pulley. C. Spikes, or sometimes, sharp flints, on to which the Martyr was let fall.

On the use of Cudgels: A. Martyr bound to four stakes and beaten with cudgels. B. Martyr laid naked on iron spikes and violently beaten with a cudgel. C. Martyr bound hand and foot and similarly beaten with a cudgel.

Buffeted, Stoned and Crushed: A. Martyr buffeted, kicked, and pounded with the fists. B. Martyr being stoned. C. Martyr whose face and jaws are bruised and broken with a stone. D. Martyr crushed under a huge stone.

Of Currycombs and Pincers: A. Martyr tortured by means of the iron claw or pincers. B. Torn with the hooks. C. Mangled with the iron currycombs.

Scorched on the Wooden Horse: A. Martyr hung from the wooden horse and scorched with the flame of torches. B. Martyr suspended by his feet from a pulley and tortured in a like fashion.

Frying-pans and Pots: A. Martyr thrown head-first into a caldron full of molten lead or boiling oil. B. Martyr in a hot frying-pan. C. martyr plunged into a boiling pot.

The Brazen Bull and Iron Bed: A. Martyr’s dismembered limbs put in a frying-pan. B. Martyr in the brazen bull. C. Laid on the iron bed and broiled.

Other Instruments of Martyrdom: A. Martyr whose hand is filled with incense mingled with live coals, and who being constrained by the pain to scatter the incense, is said to have made sacrifice to the idol. B. Martyr clad in the iron tunic and shod with the red-hot shoes, which consume the flesh off his bones. C. Martyr seated in the iron chair, while a red-hot helmet, or morion, is set on his head.

Burning Coals, Molten Substances: A. Martyr compelled to walk over burning coals, while molten lead, boiling pitch, or like substances, are poured over his head.

Some Uses of Fires: A. Martyr cast into a burning fiery furnace. B. Martyrs set in a tun, or cask, and burned therein. C. Martyr burned in a room, or chamber, that hath been set on fire. D. Bound hand and foot and set on a blazing pile. E. Bound to four pegs fixed in the ground, with a fire burning underneath. F. Bound with ropes drenched in oil and consumed by a fire lighted under him. G. Thrown into a pit full of live coals. H. Iron shovel for stirring and rousing the fire.

Stabbed by Styles, and Amputated: A. Martyr stabbed to death by boys with their writing styles. B. Martyr whose limbs are amputated one by one.

Beating and Piercing: A. Martyr stabbed in the throat with a dagger. B. Short to death with arrows. C. Beaten over the head with an axe. D. Beheaded with a sword. E. Transfixed with a spear.

Sawn in Two: A. Martyr struck with a club or cudgel. B. Sawn in two with an iron saw. C. Hands and feet cut off.

Piercing the Inwards: A. Martyr pierced through with a sharp-pointed stake. B. Martyr whose belly has been cut open and the liver torn out, which the heathen used sometimes to eat.

Martyrs being Flayed Alive: A. Martyrs being flayed alive.

Legs Torn, and Sharp Reeds: A. Martyr bound by either leg to the tops of two neighboring trees, which have been bent down and forcibly drawn together, and will presently be suddenly let go again. B. Martyr tortured by having sharp reeds stuck under his finger and toe nails.

Condemned to the Wild Beasts: A. Martyr imprisoned in a net, and so exposed to be tossed by a wild bull. B. Thrown down naked to be devoured by wild beasts. C. Wrapped in a wild beast’s hie, and so left to be torn by animals. D. His feet fixed in a great stone, and with red-hot brad-awls stuck under his fingernails, the martyr is gibven over to be worried by starving dogs.

Cast Down from a Height: A. Martyrs cast down headlong from a height. B. Thrown into a lime kiln.

Shut Up in a Box and Drowned: A. Martyr shut up in a leaden box and drowned in a river. B. Sewn up in a bag, together with a cock, a viper, an ape, and a dog, and thrown into the nearest sea or stream.

Other Early Christian Maryrs:

Agapius: He was brought to the arena with a murderer to be cast to wild animals. The emperor gave clemency to the murderer. When the Christian refused to accept liberty by renouncing his faith, he rushed against a bear let loose upon him. After being mauled by the bear, he was taken to prison. Surviving for one day, stones were bound to his feet, and he was thrown into the sea. (357)

Alpheus: He was scourged and scraped with iron hooks and severe bonds. He received different tortures on the rack, having his feet stretched a night and a day to the fourth hole in the stocks. At length, he was beheaded. (350)

Apollonia: They seized this elderly woman, beat her jaws, and broke out all her teeth. They built a fire and threatened to burn her alive unless she would repeat their impious expressions. She appeared to shrink a little, but when allowed to go, she suddenly sprang into the fire and was consumed. (258)

Apollonius: He was renowned for his learning and wisdom. After he gave an eloquent defence of the faith before the judge, he was decapitated according to the decree of the senate. (205)

Apphianus: When this youth tried to prevent Urbanus from sacrificing to a god, he was seized and torn by the soldiers. He received innumerable stripes on his whole body and was cast into prison. There he was stretched with both feet a night and a day on the rack. When he was brought before the judge and refused to make a sacrifice, his sides were furrowed and scraped to the bone while he was being beaten on the face and neck. When he still did not yield, they covered his feet with linen steeped in oil and set fire to the cloth. The fire penetrated to the bones, but the youth did not die or yield. Defeated, the tormentors returned him to prison. After three days, he was taken again to the judge. This time, as he remained faithful to his belief, he was thrown into the sea and drowned. (355)

Blandina: She was tortured by tormentors who took turns from morning till night until they were overcome. She continued to live despite her whole body being torn asunder and pierced. Later, she was bound and suspended on a stake, being exposed as food for wild animals. When none of the animals would touch her, she was taken down from the stake and returned to prison for another time. Then, after scourging, exposure to animals, and roasting, she was thrown into a net and cast before a bull. After much tossing from the animal, she died. (172-179)

Ennathas: She was dragged by force and brought before the judge. After being scourged and enduring dreadful abuses, she was stripped of her clothes above the loins. As she was led about the city, she was beaten with thongs of hide. She remained cheerful through this; and, when she was taken back before the judge, she was condemned to the flames. (365, 366)

Julian: He was an old man who was afflicted with gout. Having confessed the Lord in front of his accusers, he was carried on a camel throughout the city. In this elevation, he was scourged and finally consumed in an immense fire, surrounded by the thronging crowds of spectators. (259)

Metra: An aged man, he was called upon to utter impious statements. When he did not obey, his tormentors beat his body with clubs, and pricked his face and eyes. After that, they led him to the suburbs, where they stoned him. (257)

Origen: He endured many torments to the body because of his faith. He was under an iron collar, spent time in the deepest recesses of the prison, for many days was extended and stretched to four holes on the rack, was threatened by fire, and had other tortures. The judge tried hard to protract his life in order to prolong his sufferings. (255)

Polycarp: He was a teacher from Asia who taught multitudes not to sacrifice to the gods nor worship them. Through a vision he had, he said that he must be burned alive. After he was bound to the stake, he prayed and awaited the fire. The flames gave the appearance of an oven around him. He was in the midst, not like burning flesh, but like gold and silver purified in the flames. A fragrant odour, like the fumes of incense, or other precious aromatic drugs, was perceived. When the persecutors saw that his body could not be consumed by fire, they commanded the executor to plunge his sword into him. When this was done, such a quantity of blood gushed forth that the fire was extinguished. His body was later burned according to the custom of the Gentiles, and his bones were buried. (143)

Pothinus: He had performed the ministrations of the episcopate of Lyons. Although past ninety years of age, very infirm of body, he was taken to the tribunal where he stood firm in his faith. He was unmercifully dragged away and endured many stripes, while those nearby abused him with their hands and feet. Then, after two days in prison, he died. (174)

Procopius: Before he was tried by imprisonment, he was taken before the tribunal of the governor. When commanded to sacrifice to the gods, he declared that he knew only one to whom it was proper to sacrifice. When ordered to make libations [the ritual of pouring out wine or oil in honor of a god] to the four emperors, he stated a sentence which did not please his accusers. Immediately, he was beheaded. (349)

Quinta: They took her to the temple of an idol and tried to force her to worship. When she turned away in disgust, they tied her by the feet and dragged her through the city, dashing her against the millstones and scourging her at the same time. When they completed the dragging where they started, they stoned her. (257)

Sanctus: He suffered many torments devised by men. When these men could do no more, they fastened hot plates of brass to the most tender parts of his body. He withstood all the suffering, but his body was one continued wound, mangled and shrivelled, that had entirely lost the form of man to the external eye. Again, he passed through the tortures. These included the strokes of the scourge, the draggings and lacerations from the beasts, other tortures demanded by the audience, and the iron chair upon which his body was roasted. Other tortures followed until he died. (172-176)

Serapion: He was seized in his own house. After torturing him with the severest cruelties and breaking all his limbs, they threw him headlong from an upper storey of the house. (258)

Simeon: He was the son of Cleophas, a descendant of David, and the second bishop of Jerusalem. When he was one hundred and twenty years old, a search was made for any descendants of David. Simeon was one who was taken into custody. After he had been tormented for several days, he was crucified. (118)

Theodosia: She was not yet eighteen years old, yet was distinguished for her faith and virtue. As she approached some prisoners before the judgment seat to salute them, she was seized by the soldiers and led away to the commander. She was tortured cruelly, having her sides and breasts furrowed with instruments even to the bones. She kept a cheerful and joyful countenance throughout. Then she was ordered to be cast into the sea. (359)

Timotheus: He endured a multitude of tortures. Then he was condemned to be consumed by a slow and gentle fire. Throughout it all, he exhibited an undeniable proof of his sincere devotedness to God. (352)

Ulpian: He was a young man who suffered dreadful torments and the most severe scourgings. After all of these, he was sewn in a raw bull’s hide, together with a dog and a poisonous asp, and thrown into the sea. (357)

3. The example of Anabaptists

Quote from Art Katz on coming persecution:

“The greater number of Christians will not be able to be satisfied with conventional Christendom. That merely to sit in a church that speaks a correct word or doctrine is not enough. Things that are merely correct are not enough. Merely to be phraseologically correct is not enough. There needs to be an awesome, a power, an authenticity in our words and in our life. And there is going to be a restlessness in many Christians who have been able to be satisfied this long in situations like that. But the very issues that are taking place in the world will be a factor that will move saints to look for a deeper quality of faith and relationship than what they now know in their conventional and predictable “Christian” situations.

And so we have the very formative factors by which a minority of the Spirit will increasingly be called out to be the remnant people of God who are willing to pay the price of true relationship and true faith. Whereas the majority who do not see the need or have not have the stomach for the cost and the sacrifice of it and who remain in these normative “Christian” situations will be increasingly deceived, having the words that are appropriate to the faith but not the power thereof. But what’s more, they will be irritated by that minority of the Spirit who have moved on to a more authentic existential quality of faith and look upon them not only as being strange but perhaps even being heretical and even threatening to what is considered normal or a normative Christian.

In a word, we are going to see formed the very elements that make up the church that is persecuted and the church that is its persecutor. And we need to know now that we are moving toward the one or the other. There will not be as I said before a neutral ground. That the logic of true faith is persecution and that the Scriptures will be fulfilled that says “and they will kill us and claim that they are doing God a service”. We are going to see the re-enactment of the persecution of the Anabaptists in the 16th century, even persecuted by the major reformation churches. Again to be the distinguishing character of the struggle at the end of the age again. “

Denny Kenaston quote:

A deep love and commitment to Jesus Christ brings an overflow of grace and power into a life. This grace and power brings influence on the world of souls around us. Sometimes this fragrance is sweet to the seeking heart, and sometimes it is a stench to the hard and impenitent. All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. This suffering brings more grace, a deeper love for God, and more burdens for the lost. In time, this process makes a powerful, dynamic church, which is the body of Christ on the earth. The annals of church history are scattered with testimonies of this upflaming of God’s people, fueled with the effects of persecution.

There was a precious group of people like this that lived in parts of Europe in the sixteenth century. Their persecutors named them Anabaptists because they believed in believer’s baptism and renounced their infant baptism in the Church of Rome. Oh how they loved the Lord Jesus! Oh how they loved the Word of God and wanted to obey it in every way! Persecution and martyrdom awaited these dear people everywhere they moved. From 1525 to around 1600, multitudes of them gave their lives for the cause of Christ. This covers the span of about three generations.

About Anabaptists:

The Anabaptists believed in the freedom of the will, with the help of divine grace, that man may overcome evil tendencies in his character and obey the divine commandments of God.

The Anabaptists believed in and strongly emphasized spiritual rebirth, the transformation of “natural” man into “spiritual” man

And likewise have power (received through the Holy Spirit) to resist evil, sin, and disobedience to God, pride, and selfishness, which formerly would have dominated his character.
The Anabaptists declared to these other churches:

“This mercy, love, and community we teach and practice, and have taught and practiced these seventeen years. God be thanked forever that although our property has to a great extent been taken away from us and is still daily taken, and many a righteous father and mother are put to the sword or fire, and although we are not allowed the free enjoyment of our homes as is manifest … yet none of those who have joined us nor any of their orphaned children have been forced to beg. If this is not Christian practice, then we might as well abandon the whole Gospel of our Lord. …

“Is it not sad and intolerable hypocrisy that these poor people [the Lutherans] boast of having the Word of God, of being the true, Christian church, never remembering that they have entirely lost their sign of true Christianity? Although many of them have plenty of everything, go about in silk and velvet, gold and silver, and in all manner of pomp and splendor, … they allow many of their own poor and afflicted members to ask for alms. [They force] the poor, the hungry, the suffering, the elderly, the lame, the blind, and the sick to beg for bread at their doors.

“Oh preachers, dear preachers, where is the power of the Gospel you preach? … Where are the fruits of the Spirit you have received?”

May we go forward in our day with the same apostolic spirit in us.

May we go forward with brothers and sisters who suffering before us.

May we go forward with the power of the Gospel in our lifes.

Greg Gordon (1979 – Present) – founder of sermonindex.net ministry. His desire is to pray for and see society changing revival in North America.

“The whole history of the Church is one long story of this tendency to settle down on this earth and to become conformed to this world, to find acceptance and popularity here and to eliminate the element of conflict and of pilgrimage. That is the trend and the tendency of everything. Therefore outwardly, as well as inwardly, pioneering is a costly thing.”

“It is a costly and a suffering thing to come up against the religious system that has
’settled down ‘ here. It is far more costly than coming up against the naked world itself. The religious system can be more ruthless and cruel and bitter; it can be actuated by all those mean things, contemptible things, prejudices and suspicions things that you will not even find in decent people in the world. It is costly to go on to the heavenlies, it is painful; but it is the way of the pioneer, and it has to be settled that that is how it is.”

“The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.”

“Out of a very intimate acquaintance with D. L. Moody, I wish to testify that he was a far greater pray-er than he was preacher. Time and time again, he was confronted by obstacles that seemed insurmountable, but he always knew the way to overcome all difficulties. He knew the way to bring to pass anything that needed to be brought to pass.”

“HOW DEEPLY HUMBLED should we be that there still exists in us so much carnality, love of the world, and conformity to the world; so little of the crucified spirit of a cross bearing Savior! What cause of shame that, with all our profession, the pulse of spiritual life beats in our souls so faintly, the spirit of prayer breathes in us so feebly, that we possess so little real, vital religion, and follow Christ at so great a distance. Filled with self-abasement should we be, that the fruits and graces of the Spirit are in us so sickly, drooping, and dwarfed; that we have so limited a measure of faith, love, and humility; are so defective in our patience and meekness, wisdom, and gentleness; that, with all our blossom and foliage, there is so little real fruit to the glory of our Father. May we not, in view of all this, exclaim with Ezra, in his deep grief and humiliation for the sins of the people, ‘O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to You. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.’ Ezra 9:6. Oh, where shall we fly; where shall we hide our blushing face but in the blood of atonement! Sprinkled afresh with which, we may lift up our heads and not be ashamed.”

“The labor of self-love is a heavy one indeed… The heart’s fierce effort to protect itself from every slight, to shield its touchy honor from the bad opinion of friend and enemy, will never let the mind have rest.”

“A satisfying prayer life elevates and purifies every act of body and mind and integrates the entire personality into a single spiritual unit. In the long pull we pray only as well as we live.”
“The sovereign God wants to be loved for Himself and honored for Himself, but that is only part of what He wants. The other part is that He wants us to know that when we have Him we have everything — we have all the rest.”

“My Lord was pleased to die for my sins; why should I not be glad to give up my poor life out of love for Him.”

“It [Holy Spirit] came from God, and so is Christ true, and Christ is thy God, who is in heaven and awaits thee.”

“Lord! Teach me the way my soul should walk.”

“The whole world knows that His glory has not been spread by force and weapons, but by poor fishermen.”

“Elegance of language must give way before simplicity in preaching sound doctrine.”
”Do you wish to be free? Then above all things, love God, love your neighbor, love one another, love the common weal; then you will have true liberty.”

“Christ’s call is to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; He came not to call scoffers but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers, and artistic musical performances, but to capture men from the devil’s clutches and the very jaws of Hell. This can be accomplished only by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered devotion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Funds are low again, hallelujah! That means God trusts us and is willing to leave His reputation in our hands.”

“We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism… To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood.”

“I myself, for instance, am not especially gifted, and am shy by nature, but my gracious and merciful God and Father inclined Himself to me, and when I was weak in faith He strengthened me while I was still young. He taught me in my helplessness to rest on Him, and to pray even about little things in which another might have felt able to help himself.”

“Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.”