Chapter XXXII. - Martyrdom of Paul and Peter.
The apostles Paul and Peter were for many years widely
separated in their labours, it being the work of Paul to carry the gospel to the
Gentiles, while Peter laboured especially for the Jews. But in the providence of
God, both were to bear witness for Christ in the world's metropolis, and upon
its soil both were to shed their blood as the seed of a vast harvest of saints
and martyrs. {LP 328.1}
About the time of Paul's second arrest, Peter also was
apprehended and thrust into prison. He had made himself especially obnoxious to
the authorities by his zeal and success in exposing the deceptions and defeating
the plots of Simon Magus the sorcerer, who had followed him to Rome to oppose
and hinder the work of the gospel. Nero was a believer in magic, and had
patronized Simon. He was therefore greatly incensed against the apostle, and was
thus prompted to order his arrest. {LP 328.2}
The emperor's malice against Paul was heightened by the fact
that members of the imperial household, and also other persons of distinction,
had been converted to Christianity during his first imprisonment. For this
reason he made
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the second imprisonment much more severe than the first,
granting him little opportunity to preach the gospel; and he determined to cut
short his life as soon as a plausible pretext could be found for so doing.
Nero's mind was so impressed with the force of the apostle's words at his last
trial that he deferred the decision of the case, neither acquitting nor
condemning him. But the sentence was only deferred. It was not long before the
decision was pronounced which consigned Paul to a martyr's grave. Being a Roman
citizen, he could not be subjected to torture, and was therefore sentenced to be
beheaded. {LP 328.3}
Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was condemned to be scourged
and crucified. In prospect of this fearful death, the apostle remembered his
great sin in denying Jesus in the hour of trial, and his only thought was, that
he was unworthy of so great an honour as to die in the same manner as did his
Master. Peter had sincerely repented of that sin, and had been forgiven by
Christ, as is shown by the high commission given him to feed the sheep and lambs
of the flock. But he could never forgive himself. Not even the thought of the
agonies of the last terrible scene could lessen the bitterness of his sorrow and
repentance. As a last favour he entreated his executioners that he might be
nailed to the cross with his head downward. The request was granted, and in this
manner died the great apostle Peter. {LP 329.1}
Paul was led in a private manner to the place of execution.
His persecutors, alarmed at the extent of his influence, feared that converts
might be won to Christianity, even by the scenes of his death. Hence few
spectators were
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allowed to be present. But the hardened soldiers appointed to
attend him, listened to his words, and with amazement saw him cheerful and even
joyous in prospect of such a death. His spirit of forgiveness toward his
murderers, and his unwavering confidence in Christ to the very last, proved a
savour of life unto life to some who witnessed his martyrdom. More than one
erelong accepted the Saviour whom Paul preached, and fearlessly sealed their
faith with their blood. {LP 329.2}
The life of Paul, to its very latest hour, testified to the
truth of his words in the second Epistle to the Corinthians: "For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But
we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may
be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but
not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." His sufficiency
was not in himself, but in the presence and agency of the divine Spirit that
filled his soul, and brought every thought into subjection to the will of
Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed, gave
convincing power to both his preaching and his deportment. Says the prophet,
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he
trusteth in Thee." It was this Heaven-born peace, expressed upon the
countenance, that won many a soul to the gospel. {LP 330.1}
The apostle was looking into the great beyond,
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not with uncertainty or in dread, but with joyful hope and
longing expectation. As he stood at the place of martyrdom, he saw not the
gleaming sword of the executioner, or the green earth so soon to receive his
blood; he looked up through the calm blue heaven of that summer's day to the
throne of the Eternal. His language was, O Lord, thou art my comfort and my
portion. When shall I embrace thee? when shall I behold thee for myself, without
a dimming veil between? {LP 330.2}
Paul carried with him through his life on earth the very
atmosphere of Heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his
connection with Christ and companionship with angels. Here lies the power of the
truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most
convincing sermon that can be given in favour of Christianity. Argument, even
when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power
which it is impossible wholly to resist. {LP 331.1}
While the apostle lost sight of his own near sufferings, he
felt a deep solicitude for the disciples whom he was about to leave to cope with
prejudice, hatred, and persecution. He endeavoured to strengthen and encourage
the few Christians who accompanied him to the place of execution, by repeating
the exceeding precious promises given for those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake. He assures them that nothing shall fail of all that the
Lord hath spoken concerning his tried and faithful ones. They shall arise and
shine; for the light of the Lord shall arise upon them. They shall put on their
beautiful garments when the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. For a little
season they may be in
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heaviness through manifold temptations, they may be destitute
of earthly comfort; but they must encourage their hearts by saying, I know in
whom I have believed. He is able to keep that which I have committed to his
trust. His rebuke will come to an end, and the glad morning of peace and perfect
day will come. {LP 331.2}
Paul declared to his brethren, It did not appear to our
fathers what great and good things should be given to those who believe in
Jesus. They desired to see the things which we see, and to hear the things which
we hear, but they died without the sight or the knowledge. The greater light
which we have received is shed upon us by the gospel of Christ. Holy men of old
were acknowledged and honoured of God because they were faithful over a few
things; and it is only those that improve with the same fidelity their greater
trust, who will with them be counted profitable servants, and be crowned with
glory, honour, and immortality. {LP 332.1}
This man of faith beholds the ladder presented in Jacob's
vision,--the ladder which rested upon the earth and reached to the highest
heavens, and upon which angels of God were ascending and descending. He knows
that this ladder represents Christ, who has connected earth with Heaven, and
finite man with the infinite God. He hears angels and archangels magnifying that
glorious name. His faith is strengthened as he calls to mind that patriarchs and
prophets relied upon the same Saviour who is his support and consolation, and
for whom he is giving his life. Those holy men who from century to century sent
down their testimony for the truth, and the apostles, who to preach the gospel
of Christ went out to
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meet religious bigotry and heathen superstition, who counted
not their lives dear unto themselves if they might bear aloft the light of the
cross amid the dark mazes of infidelity,--all these he hears witnessing to Jesus
as the Son of the Most High, the Saviour of the world. The martyr's shout of
triumph, the fearless testimony for the faith, falls upon his ear from the rack,
the stake, the dungeon, from the dens and caves of the earth, from steadfast
souls who are destitute, afflicted, tormented, yet of whom the world is not
worthy. With a continually strengthening assurance they declare, "I know whom I
have believed." And as they yield up their lives as witnesses for the faith,
they bear a solemn, condemning testimony to the world, declaring that He in whom
they trusted has proved himself able to save to the uttermost. {LP 332.2}
The Captain of our salvation has prepared his servant for the
last great conflict. Ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, washed from sin in his
blood, and clothed in his righteousness, Paul has the witness in himself that
his soul is precious in the sight of his Redeemer. His life is hid with Christ
in God, and he is persuaded that He who has conquered death is able to keep that
which is committed to his trust. His mind grasps the Saviour's promise, "I will
raise him up at the last day." His thoughts and hopes are centred in the second
advent of his Lord. And as the sword of the executioner descends, and the
shadows of death gather about the martyr's soul, his latest thought springs
forward, as will his earliest thought in the great awakening, to meet the
Lifegiver who shall welcome him to the joy of the blest.
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{LP 333.1}
Well-nigh a score of centuries have passed since Paul the
aged poured out his blood as a witness for the word of God and for the testimony
of Christ. No faithful hand recorded for the generations to come, the last
scenes in the life of this holy man; but inspiration has preserved for us his
dying testimony. Like a trumpet peal has his voice rung out through all the
ages, nerving with his own courage thousands of witnesses for Christ, and
wakening in thousands of sorrow-stricken hearts the echo of his own triumphant
joy: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love his appearing." {LP 334.1}