Bearing Witness – Stories of Martyrdom and Costly Discipleship

Last Updated on August 10, 2022 by ellen

I love learning more about the Bible and the part that religion played in our history. Bearing Witness was a fascinating look into the lives of a number of different martyrs in the Christian religion. The book is part of the Bearing Witness Stories Project, a collaboration of Anabaptists from a wide range of traditions. 

Bearing Witness – Stories of Martyrdom and Costly Discipleship

What does it cost to follow Jesus? For these men and women, the answer was: everything. They were ready to give witness to Christ in the face of intense persecution, even if it cost them their lives. From the stoning of Stephen in the first-century Jerusalem to Nigerian Christians persecuted by Boko Haram today, these stories from around the world and through the ages will inspire greater faithfulness to the way of Jesus, reminding us what costly discipleship looks like in any age.

I don’t usually give much thought to persecution based on religious beliefs. It’s not really something that I see happening in my world. Yes, you see the social media nonsense that seems to follow many devout Christians and their beliefs – but losing your life for being a Christian isn’t something that I’m exposed to. Bearing Witness was a fascinating look at a number of different martyrs from the earliest Christians in 34AD to Christians who are being persecuted today in Nigeria.

Some of the martyrs I have heard of and read about in the past like William Tyndale who the Tyndale House Publishers is named for. He wrote an English translation of the New Testament in the 1500s so the Bible would be available to the common man instead of just the rich and scholars who knew Latin. This happened during the time that King Henry separated from the Catholic church. He was arrested, accused of heresy and became a martyr for his faith.

I also learned about a number of other martyrs including Jacob Hochstetler who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s with his family for religious freedom.  They were taken captive by Native Americans in the French and Indian War but eventually escaped. During his time there, he was committed to living faithfully and peaceably no matter what the cost. You can still find many of their descendants in Pennsylvania.

If you want to learn more about the history of the martyrs, you’ll find that Bearing Witness is the perfect place to start.

ellen

Ellen is a mom of a 25-year-old son and 30-year-old daughter. She is Grandma to one adorable toddler. In what little spare time she has, she loves to read, watch movies, and check out the latest toys and games.