Martyrdom

Dying for one's faith, the ultimate expression of Christian witness. The Greek word martys means 'witness,' and Stephen was the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60), who echoed Jesus' words of forgiveness as he died. James the apostle was executed by Herod (Acts 12:2). Jesus prophesied that his followers would face death for his name (Matthew 24:9, John 16:2). Revelation 2:10 calls for faithfulness 'even to the point of death.' The blood of the martyrs, described by Tertullian as 'the seed of the church,' testifies to a loyalty stronger than death. Revelation 6:9-11 depicts martyrs beneath the altar, awaiting God's final justice.