You have to have spent much time researching the Apostles, and for me, it is much appreciated. I had wanted to know everything I could learn.
Now, may I ask, do you also know what happened to Silas and Barnabas, and Timothy? I thank you so very much.

You bet you can. Thanks for asking.

Hi there,

I was just wondering if it would be ok to copy your work and put it in a little booklet that me and my girlfriend are doing to evangelise france. I originally come from South Africa but am playing rugby in france and am absolutely shocked at how few people know god in europe and the fact that they actually mock him daily. Thank you so much for your work, you are playing a direct role in the great mission!

god bless,

Jacques

The problem with these logical arguments is that there’s at least a 4th option: They all did believe what they saw, but they were all duped by a third party. Which I know is just as ridiculous – since you’d have to prove who is this third party and how were they able to execute such duplicity and with what realistic motive to boot in those times. I’m just putting that out there, since there’s always a force to challenge every part of the redemption plan.

Thanks Ryan!

Man, this is excellent work. May God bless you for putting together not just a good compilation of the facts, but with an unbiased view, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope that you will continue to release more scholarly writings like this!

Also, your response to objections was not just welcome, but embellished! I’m no authority on biblical history, but from my humble view, awesome job.

I have been discussing this with Paul Tobin, who has a website with information relevant to the martyrdom of the disciples. (“Rejection of Pascal’s Wager”)

He says that the most reliable accounts of the disciples’ deaths (Peter and James?) involve charges of arson, which even if the disciples denied the charges, they were found guilty anyway, and were executed.

What are the ratings on the accounts that say the disciples were executed for crimes against the state, instead of for their testimony about Christ, and instead of for their profession as followers of Christ?

1. You would have to conclude that they died for a lie and knew it (unsustainable do to lack of any motive).
2. They were all delusional and crazy (but this would take more faith than any option since you would have to explain how they all had the same delusion and craziness, many being at different places and different times).
3. What they said was true. Christ did rise from the grave and is who He said He was. Â

or

4. None of this ever happened and it was all made up after the fact.

I vote 4.

[...] Michael Patton gives a comprehensive answer to the question, “What happened to the twelve apostles?” “They died because they proclaimed to have seen Christ die and then to have seen Him alive. [...]

Joe, good comments, but that would take us in a different direction!