Transformation of Disciples

Hippolytus:

Andrew preached to the Scythians [modern day Georgia] and Thracians [modern day Bulgaria], and was crucified, suspended on an olive tree, at Patrae, a town of Achaia [Greece]; and there too he was buried. (Ichthus, pg. na).

Bartholomew, again, preached to the Indians, to whom he also gave the Gospel according to Matthew, and was crucified with his head downward, and was buried in Allanum, a town of the great Armenia [modern day southern Georgia]. (Ichthus, pg. na).

And James the son of Alphaeus, when preaching in Jerusalem, was stoned to death by the Jews, and was buried there beside the temple. (Ichthus, pg. na).

James, [John's] brother, when preaching in Judea, was cut off with the sword by Herod the tetrarch, and was buried there. (Ichthus, pg. na).

Matthew wrote the Gospel in the Hebrew tongue, and published it at Jerusalem, and fell asleep at Hierees, a town of Parthia.\224 [Parthia is near modern day Tehran]. (Ichthus, pg. na).

Peter preached the Gospel in Pontus, and Galatia, and Cappadocia, and Betania, and Italy, and Asia, and was afterwards crucified by Nero in Rome with his head downward

Eusebius

About that time, Pantaenus, a man highly distinguished for his learning, had charge of the school of the faithful in Alexandria... Pantaenus...is said to have gone to India. It is reported that among persons there who knew of Christ, he found the Gospel according to Matthew, which had anticipated his own arrival. For Bartholomew, one of the apostles, had preached to them, and left with them the writing of Matthew in the Hebrew language, which they had preserved till that time. (Ichthus, pg. na).

Peter likewise was crucified under Nero.

Jewish Writings

            Josephus:

He assembled the Sanhedrin of the judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus called Christ, whose name was James, and some others. When he had accused them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned (Van Voorst 2000,, pg 83).

Archaeology or Relics

           Martyriam of Phillip

A memorial built to commemorate the Apostle Phillip in Hierapolis. Built 5^th Century AD

           Philip's Martyrium

photo by Radomil July 2005

 

Tomb of Luke in Ephesus "the scientific world is now 99.9 per cent convinced that the remains, venerated for centuries, are those of the evangelist St Luke, the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles" Lukes Tomb-DNA    Image courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org

   Tomb of John

The Apostle John is believed to have been buried in Ephesus.

     John's Tomb

François and Marie Thorel-Hervouet.

 

 

James' ossuary James', brother of Jesus, ossuary. Despitie initial controversy, the ossuary has been proven as authentic. Forgery Trial News © photo 2005 by Paradiso

In summary, the disciples are people of history. The disciples were men of varied positions (fisherman, tax collector), that were not particularly famous, noteworthy or learned personalities. After their experiences-- in which they claimed to be with Jesus and to see Him after the resurrection-- they faced a certain future of extreme persecution, and likely death, in order to pass on their message. They left their homes, culture and customs to spread their new message all across their known world. 

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