TRIBULATIONS OF THE APOSTLES

By Don Hollifield

This special study is derived from various studies written by European Biblical Historians who have devoted their lives researching numerous documents from Roman, Jewish and Catholic records as well as other official records. This study also contains excerpts from a letter believed to have been written by Nicodemus which was found in the Archives of the Vatican some 40 or 50 years ago. This letter vividly describes the trial and execution of Jesus.

The trial of Jesus began immediately following His arrest. The Sanhedrins, a corrupt ruling priesthood, represented the prosecution led by Caiaphas and Aimas. The defense consisted primarily of two men that knew their courage probably signed their death warrants. They were Stephen who was later stoned to death and Joseph of Arimathea, the great uncle of Jesus. Also present and against Jesus were the Sadducees, the ruling wealthy group, except the most influential and richest man throughout the area, Joseph of Arimathea, the uncle of Mary mother of Jesus.

The prosecution launched a vigorous and prejudicial attack, slashing at Christ with verbal darts of hate and lies. The defense fought back with courage of fearless warriors fighting for their convictions. Jesus remained calm and quiet before friend and foe, knowing He was destined to die.

Finally the vote came with 31 for conviction, but with 40 for dismissal. Then Caiaphas played his trump card which he knew no one could veto. He demanded that Jesus be turned over to Pontius Pilate on charges of treason against the Roman Empire. Joseph of Arimathea agreed since he had great influence with Pontius Pilate and the Roman Empire, and he was sure he would win. Little did Joseph know that Pontius Pilate had planned to overthrow Caesar and replace himself as the Emperor. In his plan for an attempted coup, Pontius Pilate made the mistake of informing Caiaphas, who would not hesitate in exposing him if Jesus was not convicted.

As you know Pontius Pilate washed his hands of the problem and offered to pardon a convicted criminal, by letting the people choose between Barabbas or Jesus. Caiaphas had his people yell. "Barabbas", while the followers of Jesus remained silent for fear of prosecution.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, the Sanhedrins formed a "Gestapo" type unit to track down and execute the followers of Jesus with Saul as their leader, who is also believed to have witnessed the trial and execution of Jesus.

STEPHEN was the first to die, being stoned to death, (Acts 6v8 thru 7v60) primarily because of his defense of Jesus, and as directed by Saul (Paul). He was a Jew, but had a Gentile name which means, "Crown." His body was later moved to the Vatican in Rome when Emperor Constantine came into power.

BARNABAS, who became a great friend of Paul was very handsome and tall. He was also the cousin to Mark. He was stoned to death by Jews on the Island of Cyprus where he was born. When his tomb was opened, he was holding the Gospel of Saint Matthew probably placed there by Mark. Barnabas is also believed to be the same as "Barsabas" in Acts 1v23, who with Matthias were considered for the replacement of Judas who betrayed Jesus. Barnabas was executed in 60 AD.

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA: History is full of various exploits of Joseph of Arimathea. He was the younger brother to Heli, the father of Mary, Mother of Jesus. That's why he was able to demand the body of Jesus from Pontius Pilate, since according to Roman law only the nearest male relative present at the execution, may claim the body.

Joseph was the richest man in the area and traveled throughout the Roman Empire and related countries purchasing various metals for the Romans. He even had an official Roman Title, "Noblis Decurio", allowing him free passage throughout the empire. Numerous records reveal that Jesus traveled with him during the 18 years missing from His life. Records also reveal that Joseph was the silent disciple that Jesus gave His mother to at His crucifixion.

Many believe that John was the Apostle that received Mary, but check John 19v27: Then said He, to the disciple, "Behold thy mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her into his home.

When Jesus washed the feet of His Disciples, He was ordaining them as Apostles, and John did not say this Apostle, he said that Disciple. Also, John was only 21 years of age and would be traveling many miles throughout the Roman Empire preaching the Word, while Joseph of Arimathea was a rich and powerful man who could easily take care of Mary. History reveals that Joseph never left her side, and certainly took care of Mary until her death in 58AD at the age of 72.

Joseph and Mary remained at Bethany until they were exiled 14 years after the crucifixion of Jesus. Joseph and Mary along with 10 others traveled to France and then to England. Since Joseph had previously known the King, they were given 1,920 acres of land where they settled; the Isle of Avalon. Both Jesus and Joseph had previously visited the land on 3 different occasions; Jesus must have know His mother would later live there since He built a waddle hut for her. Jesus took a large piece of slate and carved both His name and Mary's name on it.

Joseph buried Mary on The Isle of Avalon, now called Glastonbury, England. The Cathedral of Saint Mary presently stands over the grave of Mary, and the slate was placed over her grave. The wattle hut has since rotted away, but the Cathedral of Saint Mary now stands over the grave of Mary, and the slate is there also.

Joseph died at the age of 101 in the year of 82 AD. He was also buried at Galstonbury, near the grave of Mary. His grave was marked with a stone reading, "To the Britons, I came after I buried the Christ. I taught. I enter my rest."

LUKE, the Evangelist was a disciple of Paul. He was not one of the twelve Apostles. He was a doctor of medicine in Antioch, Syria. He was converted by Paul. He was the only Gentile to write any of the books of the New Testament; for example the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts. Luke never knew Jesus since he was converted several years after the crucifixion, but his gospel is a living testimony that the words of the Bible were inspired by God. Luke was also a great painter and painted several pictures of Mary the Mother of Jesus. These paintings are located in the Vatican. George Washington had a portrait of Mary that hung in his office until his death. It is possible that Luke also painted a portrait of Jesus. Luke died a natural death in 84 AD.

MARK, the Evangelist was a cousin to Barnabas. His true name was John Mark, but he dropped John from his name in favor of Saint John the Apostle. His mother's name was Mary and it was at his home and his mother's, that the last supper was held. This is also the same house where the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost Day.

He was the first Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt where he was martyred when his body was tied with a rope and dragged throughout the streets as he bled immensely and then dragged into a fire where he was burned to death in the year 68 AD, shortly after it is believed he wrote the Gospel of Saint Mark. His body was later taken in the year 828 AD to Venice. There the famous Cathedral of Saint Mark of Venice was built in 830 AD.

TIMOTHY or TIMOTHEUS: Timothy was the first Bishop of Ephesus. He died in the year of 97 AD when he was stoned to death defending the virginity of Mary, Mother of Jesus and for attacking the Greek goddess, Diana of Ephesians. I believe there is a possibility that Timothy have been the half-nephew of Paul. In his letters to Timothy he is referred to him as "My Son", and according to family records, Paul helped to raise Timothy and loved him as a son. Also Paul requested Timothy to visit him while in prison awaiting execution as in: II Timothy4v21: Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greets thee, and Prudens and Linus and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Eubulus was the father-in-law to Peter, Rufus Prudens was Timothy's Father and Claudia was his mother, while Linus was his uncle who later become the second pope after Peter's death. I could be wrong on my belief that Timothy was the half nephew of Paul. The following Scripture certainly seems to refute my assumption. II Timothy 1v5: When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in your grandmother, Lois and thy mother, Eunice, and I am persuaded that is thee also.

This certainly throws some doubt on my assumption about Timothy being the half nephew of Paul, but remember Paul's parents, Aquilla and Priscilla are Roman names (see below), while Eunice and Lois are Jewish names. Back in Biblical times almost everyone had different names according to the language spoken and the area they lived. I could be wrong, but I fail to understand why Paul would mention all those close relatives of Timothy, if I were wrong.

PAUL, also had an honoree title, "The Apostle of the Gentiles." He was born in Tarsus in 1 BC, one year before the birth of Christ. His father was Aquila, a Benjamite. His mother was Priscilla, a Roman citizen. Priscilla's first husband was a rich and famous Roman Senator with a large estate. They had a son called "Rufus Prudens" who shared the same mother with Paul as referred to in: Romans 16v13: Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine...

Shortly after the birth of Rufus, Senator Prudens died and Priscilla then married Aquilla. This explains why Paul was Jewish, but also with Roman citizenship, and why he was so powerful. Paul was beheaded outside the City of Rome. Since he was a Roman citizen, by law he could not be crucified nor executed in the City of Rome. He was beheaded on the same day Peter was crucified upside down also in Rome in 67 AD at the age of 68.

When Paul was taken prisoner to Rome, there are approximately 5 years missing before he was beheaded. History reveals that he traveled to France, Spain, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Yugoslavia before returning to Rome. The last chapter of Acts (not included in the Bible) also accounts for these travels. In this chapter, Paul preached to the English just outside of London at a location on Lug Hill in front of a large Broadway or an open area. Today on the corner of Lug Hill Road and Broadway Avenue stands Saint Paul's Cathedral where Queen Elizabeth II was married, and according to Church history, located on the very spot Paul preached.

When Paul was beheaded, his head bounced three times and each time he uttered, "Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ." And as his head bounced, water sprang from the ground. The Church of Saint Paul of Rome is built on the very spot Paul was executed and it is said that there is a pond beside the Church fed by three springs of water. Paul's body was then chopped in two and along with three parts of Peter's body, were buried in three different locations. They wanted to be sure they did not arise from the dead as Jesus had. Paul wrote more books of the Bible than anyone else, a total of 14 Epistles.

PETER was born ten years before Jesus in 10 BC. He was a fisherman and his full name was Simon Bar-Jona. Peter was strictly a nick-name meaning "Rock." He was a leader of men and that's why it is believed that Jesus chose him as the head of His Church in John 21v15-17. Also, any time Peter's name is listed in the Bible with other Apostles, his name is always listed first.

His leadership qualities are revealed in the following:
      1. He was the only Disciple to get out of the boat when Jesus walked on water.
      2. He was the Apostle that identified Jesus as the Son of the Living God.
      3. He whacked off the ear of a Sanhedrin when they arrested Jesus.
      4. He had the Apostles choose Matthias as the replacement of Judas Iscariot, the traitor.
      5. He led the Apostles on Pentecost Day when they baptized 3,000 souls.

Peter kept the Church Headquarters in Jerusalem for three years and then moved it to Antioch. There he met Paul and they became very good friends. He later moved the Church to Rome at the home of Paul's parents, Aquilla and Priscilla as referenced in: Roman 16v3-5. Greet Priscilla and Aquilla my helpers in Christ. V4: Who have for my life laid down their own necks, unto whom, not only do I give thanks, but all the Churches of the Gentiles. V5: Likewise greet the Church that is in their house...

There his church remained until his death in 67 AD at the age of 77. Peter was the first pope and he reigned for 34 years, the longest period of time in Catholic history. Before Peter was executed, he has been traced to France and England when Nero came into power. It is also possible that Peter may have traveled north to the Balkan nations and preached at a small fishing village in Russia now named Saint Petersburg.

Peter was a hunted man and upon his return he was arrested and placed in a pit. This pit is described as a deep well cut out of solid rock in the dungeon in Rome. The stench and filth from human waste, generated a poison often fatal to the inmates. They were kept in complete darkness which caused blindness when exposed to sun light. After a short period of time, they went stark raving mad, causing an extra spectacle for the crowds in the arena as they were turned loose among the lions.

Peter remained in the well for nine months, by the grace of God. Even so, while there he converted two jailers and 47 inmates. Peter willingly went to his death, but considered himself unworthy of dying the same way as Jesus. He requested and was granted permission of being crucified upside down, a new novelty for the arena. Peter was executed the same day as Paul and his head was chopped off as well as his body being chopped in two. His head along with Paul's head were buried at the Church of Saint John of Latern in Rome. Parts of their bodies were buried in the area of the Vatican. The rest of their bodies were buried in the Church of Saint Paul of Rome.

Later when Constantine became the emperor, their body parts were exhumed with the bones of Paul buried at the Church of Saint Paul of Rome, while the bones of Peter were buried in the Vatican.

ANDREW, the older brother of Peter, was the first Disciple called by Jesus. He liked to preach from an "X" shaped cross. When he was crucified, the cross was also in the shape of an "X", which is called the cross of Saint Andrew. He was executed in Achaia, a providence of ancient Greece on a peninsula in Southern Greece in 61 AD. As far as I know, he was buried there and remains there. I could not find any evidence that his body was removed.

PHILIP was the Apostle of Gaul (France). He accompanied Joseph of Arimathea when the leaders were exiled from Bethany in 47 AD. He remained in France but often traveled to Britain and Spain as well as Asia Minor. He probably married a woman from France since he had two daughters. He was first stoned and then crucified in Hierapolis, a city in Asia Minor at the age of 87. His daughters were also executed at the same time since all three of them were buried together standing up in 65 AD. Their bodies were later taken to Rome.

BARTHOLOMEW was born in Cana, Galilee where Jesus turned water into wine, His first miracle. Philip brought Bartholomew to meet Jesus. He is referred in the Book of John as an Israelite in whom there is no guile. After our Lord's ascension he journeyed east, spreading the Gospel and is traced as far east as India, before returning to Asia Minor. Bartholomew was captured in Armenia. He was tied to a pole and skinned alive. His screams were so loud that they finally chopped off his head in 72 AD. His body has been relocated on a small island on the River Tiber near Rome.

MATTHEW was also called "Levi." He was a tax collector and when he saw Jesus, who only had to say, "Follow me." Without hearing a sermon or seeing a miracle, he immediately left his post to be a Disciple of Jesus. Just the look in Jesus' eyes and His voice gave Matthew his vocation. Matthew went to Africa to preach the Word of God. In Ethiopia he raised from the dead the daughter of the king. Her name was Iphigenia. Because of his miracle, he converted the king, his family and many of the king's subjects. Matthew dedicated Iphigenia to God as a virgin. When the king died, his successor a king named Hiracus wished to marry her, but she refused due to Matthew's dedication. She wanted to keep her virginity. As a result, the king ordered Matthew to be executed. While Matthew was conducting Mass, he was shot with arrows and then hacked to death in 65 AD. His body was later taken to Salerno, Italy and is kept in a Church dedicated to Saint Matthew by Pope Saint Gregory VII.

THOMAS is also called "Didytmus" which means "Twin." He was the same age as Jesus. Both Persia and India received the Word of God from this heroic Apostle. Thomas personally baptized the Magi in 40 AD. Even today, the name of "Thomas" is widely used in parts of India. Saint Thomas was martyred by being stabbed repeatedly in the back. His body has been relocated to Ortona, Italy. He was the same age as Jesus and was 74 years old when he died in 74 AD.

**THE SONS OF ALPHAEUS, (Cousins of Jesus)**

JAMES the LESSER was the oldest Apostle. He was 65 years old when he was chosen as a disciple. He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was 96 years of age when he was thrown from the walls of Jerusalem, near the same spot where Stephen was martyred. His body is kept with Saint Philip in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles of Rome.

JUDAS or JUDE was also called "Thaddeus" which means "Big Hearted" which in deed he was. He was clubbed to death in 67 AD. His remains are kept in the Vatican in Rome. The Epistle of Jude is the shortest book in the Bible, but one of the most interesting.

SIMON also called the Canaanite was crucified in 61 AD. He preached in Africa, including Libya and Mauritania in West Africa. He also assisted Philip in France and Joseph of Arimathea in Britain. He openly defied the Romans and preached in Roman occupied areas in England. Finally he was arrested and crucified in the County of Lincolnshire in England, where the ancestors of President Abraham Lincoln originated.

**SONS OF ZEBEDEE (Also cousins of Jesus)**

JAMES the GREATER was the Apostle of Spain. He was the first Apostle to die in 42 AD. He was beheaded in Jerusalem by Jews. His mother was Mary Salome who asked Jesus to put her two sons on His right side and on His left side in the Kingdom of God. James the Greater and his brother John sat on each side of Jesus as their Mother had asked, at the Last Supper. Since James died first and John died last, I often wonder if the Apostles died in the order they sat during the Last Supper. His body was carried back to Spain and brought to Compostella where it remains today.

JOHN the EVANGELIST was born in 12 AD. He was the youngest Apostle, only 18 years old when chosen. He wrote three different types of books in the Bible.
      1. Historical: The Book of Saint John,
      2. Doctrinal: The Epistle of Saint John,
      3. Prophetical: The Book of Revelation.

John wrote the Book of Saint John in 96 AD at the age of 78, and the Book of Revelation the following year in 97 AD. He stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified. And at the direction of Joseph of Arimathea, he restrained the hysterical Mary, Mother of Jesus and carried her from the scene. John was also at the side of Mary when she died at the age of 72 in 58 AD. John died of old age in the year of 100 AD at the age of 82 at Ephesus. He was probably buried in Ephesus and later transferred and buried at the Vatican. Jesus was born at the beginning of the century and John died at its conclusion. As such, the Day of our Lord and His Apostles lasted 100 years.

MATTHIAS, the remaining Apostle was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, the traitor. He was executed in 65 AD when he was beheaded by Jews in Jerusalem. His body is kept in the Church of Saint Mary in Rome. Little else is known of Matthias.

This leaves JUDAS ISCARIOT, the traitor who identified Jesus to the Sanhedrins, which led to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Some believe that Judas exposed Jesus to identify him as the Messiah, and that Jesus would then claim his crown and drive the Romans from the Holy Land. Some believe that he was hung by the Sanhedrins to keep him from revealing their bribing him in revealing Jesus. But as the Bible states, "He hanged himself."

Whenever I feel downhearted and miserable, all I have to do is think of the Apostles and the many tribulations they experienced, and I realize how fortunate and blessed I am. We are all blessed by these great and courageous Apostles. Thank God for those wonderful men.

AMEN