Bold Confrontation
Andrew boldly looked the governor in the eye. “It is good for you, the judge of men, to first know your Judge who dwells in heaven,” he said, his voice ringing with the force of truth. “After you know Him, then worship Him, removing from your mind false gods and blind idols.” Christians all over the empire were being executed in obedience to a decree from the Roman Senate. Peter had been crucified a year earlier, and before this year would end, six more of the original disciples, including Andrew, would be executed. Of the twelve, only John would remain on earth.
Andrew’s Defense
Andrew had voluntarily come to face Aegaeas, the governor, to persuade him not to persecute the many Christians Andrew had brought to the faith in the city of Patras. Andrew’s words angered the king. “Are you the same Andrew who has overthrown the temple of the gods and persuades men to be of that superstitious sect which Rome has now commanded to be abolished?” Andrew answered, “The princes of the Romans do not understand the truth. The Son of God, coming from heaven into the world for man’s sake, has taught and declared how those idols, whom you so honor as gods, are not gods, but rather cruel devils, enemies to mankind. They teach the people to do things that are so offensive to God that He turns away. In serving the devil, people fall into all kinds of wickedness, and after they die, nothing remains for them but their evil deeds.”
Facing the Cross
“Enough!” the governor commanded. “Do not teach such things anymore or you will be fastened to the cross with all speed.” Andrew answered, “If I were afraid of the death of the cross, I would not have preached about the majesty, honor, and glory of the cross.” The governor then pronounced sentence, “This man is starting a new sect and taking away the religion of the Roman gods. I hereby sentence him to death by crucifixion.
To Be Continued…
Date: 30th September 2023
Martyr: Andrew, Peter’s brother
Location: Greece, 66 AD
Source: Jesus Freaks
Author: DC Talk and The Voice of Martyrs
Suffering Saturday 058
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