Sketches From The Life of Paul
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 32: Martyrdom of Paul and Peter
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Even the hardened soldiers who attended Paul listened to his words and with amazement saw him cheerful and even joyous in the prospect of death.
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The apostles Paul and Peter were for many
years widely separated in their labors, it being
the work of Paul to carry the gospel to the
Gentiles, while Peter labored especially for the
Jews. But in the providence of God, both were
to bear witness for Christ in the world's metropolis,
and upon its soil both were to shed their
blood as the seed
of a vast harvest of saints and
martyrs.
About the time of Paul's second arrest, Peter
also was apprehended and thrust into prison.
He had made himself especially obnoxious to
the authorities by his zeal and success in exposing
the deceptions and defeating the plots of
Simon Magus the sorcerer, who had followed
him to Rome to oppose and hinder the work
of the gospel. Nero was a believer in magic,
and had patronized Simon. He was therefore
greatly incensed against the apostle, and was
thus prompted to order his arrest.
The emperor's malice against Paul was heightened
by the fact that members of the imperial
household, and also other persons of distinction,
had been converted to Christianity during his
first imprisonment. For this reason he made [p. 329] the second imprisonment much more severe than
the first, granting him little opportunity to preach
the gospel; and he determined to cut short his
life as soon as a plausible pretext could be found
for so doing. Nero's mind was so impressed
with the force of the apostle's words at his last
trial that he deferred the decision of the case,
neither acquitting nor condemning him. But
the sentence was only deferred. It was not long
before the decision was pronounced which
consigned Paul to a martyr's grave. Being a Roman
citizen, he could not be subjected to torture, and
was therefore sentenced to be beheaded.
Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was
condemned to be scourged and crucified. In
prospect of this fearful death, the apostle
remembered his great sin in denying Jesus in the hour
of trial, and his only thought was, that he was
unworthy of so great an honor as to die in the
same manner as did his Master. Peter had
sincerely repented of that sin, and had been
forgiven by Christ, as is shown by the high
commission given him to feed the sheep and lambs
of the flock. But he could never forgive
himself. Not even the thought of the agonies of
the last terrible scene could lessen the bitterness
of his sorrow and repentance. As a last favor
he entreated his executioners that he might be
nailed to the cross with his head downward.
The request was granted, and in this manner
died the great apostle Peter.
Paul was led in a private manner to the place
of execution. His persecutors, alarmed at the
extent of his influence, feared that converts
might be won to Christianity, even by the scenes
of his death. Hence few spectators were [p. 330] allowed to be present. But the hardened soldiers
appointed to attend him, listened to his words,
and with amazement saw him cheerful and even
joyous in prospect of such a death. His spirit
of forgiveness toward his murderers, and his
unwavering confidence in Christ to the very last,
proved a savor of life unto life to some who
witnessed his martyrdom. More than one erelong
accepted the Saviour whom Paul preached, and
fearlessly sealed their faith with their blood.
The life of Paul, to its very latest hour, testified
to the truth of his words in the second Epistle
to the Corinthians: "For God, who commanded
the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in
our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that
the excellency of the power may be of God, and
not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet
not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down,
but not destroyed; always bearing about in the
body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
body." His sufficiency was not in himself, but
in the presence and agency of the divine Spirit
that filled his soul, and brought every thought
into subjection to the will of Christ. The fact that
his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed,
gave convincing power to both his preaching and
his deportment. Says the prophet, "Thou wilt
keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee." It was
this Heaven-born peace, expressed upon the
countenance, that won many a soul to the gospel.
The apostle was looking into the great beyond, [p. 331] not with uncertainty or in dread, but with joyful
hope and longing expectation. As he stood at
the place of martyrdom, he saw not the gleaming
sword of the executioner, or the green earth
so soon to receive his blood; he looked up through
the calm blue heaven of that summer's day to the
throne of the Eternal. His language was, O
Lord, thou art my comfort and my portion.
When shall I embrace thee? when shall I behold
thee for myself, without a dimming vail between?
Paul carried with him through his life on earth
the very atmosphere of Heaven. All who
associated with him felt the influence of his connection
with Christ and companionship with angels.
Here lies the power of the truth. The unstudied,
unconscious influence of a holy life is the most
convincing sermon that can be given in favor of
Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable,
may provoke only opposition; but a godly
example has a power which it is impossible wholly
to resist.
While the apostle lost sight of his own near
sufferings, he felt a deep solicitude for the
disciples whom he was about to leave to cope with
prejudice, hatred, and persecution. He endeavored
to strengthen and encourage the few Christians
who accompanied him to the place of
execution, by repeating the exceeding precious
promises given for those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake. He assures them that nothing
shall fail of all that the Lord hath spoken
concerning his tried and faithful ones. They shall
arise and shine; for the light of the Lord shall
arise upon them. They shall put on their
beautiful garments when the glory of the Lord shall
be revealed. For a little season they may be in [p. 332] heaviness through manifold temptations, they
may be destitute of earthly comfort; but they
must encourage their hearts by saying, I know
in whom I have believed. He is able to keep
that which I have committed to his trust. His
rebuke will come to an end, and the glad morning
of peace and perfect day will come.
Paul declared to his brethren, It did not
appear to our fathers what great and good things
should be given to those who believe in Jesus.
They desired to see the things which we see,
and to hear the things which we hear, but they
died without the sight or the knowledge. The
greater light which we have received is shed upon
us by the gospel of Christ. Holy men of old
were acknowledged and honored of God because
they were faithful over a few things; and it is
only those that improve with the same fidelity
their greater trust, who will with them be counted
profitable servants, and be crowned with glory,
honor, and immortality.
This man of faith beholds the ladder presented
in Jacob's vision,—the ladder which rested upon
the earth and reached to the highest heavens, and
upon which angels of God were ascending and
descending. He knows that this ladder represents
Christ, who has connected earth with
Heaven, and finite man with the infinite God.
He hears angels and archangels magnifying that
glorious name. His faith is strengthened as he
calls to mind that patriarchs and prophets relied
upon the same Saviour who is his support and
consolation, and for whom he is giving his life.
Those holy men who from century to century sent
down their testimony for the truth, and the apostles,
who to preach the gospel of Christ went out to [p. 333] meet religious bigotry and heathen superstition,
who counted not their lives dear unto themselves if
they might bear aloft the light of the cross amid
the dark mazes of infidelity,—all these he hears
witnessing to Jesus as the Son of the Most High,
the Saviour of the world. The martyr's shout of
triumph, the fearless testimony for the faith, falls
upon his ear from the rack, the stake, the
dungeon, from the dens and caves of the earth, from
steadfast souls who are destitute, afflicted,
tormented, yet of whom the world is not worthy.
With a continually strengthening assurance they
declare, "I know whom I have believed." And
as they yield up their lives as witnesses for the
faith, they bear a solemn, condemning testimony
to the world, declaring that He in whom they
trusted has proved himself able to save to the
uttermost.
The Captain of our salvation has prepared
his servant for the last great conflict. Ransomed
by the sacrifice of Christ, washed from sin in his
blood, and clothed in his righteousness, Paul has
the witness in himself that his soul is precious in
the sight of his Redeemer. His life is hid with
Christ in God, and he is persuaded that He who
has conquered death is able to keep that which
is committed to his trust. His mind grasps the
Saviour's promise, "I will raise him up at the
last day." His thoughts and hopes are centered
in the second advent of his Lord. And as the
sword of the executioner descends, and the
shadows of death gather about the martyr's soul,
his latest thought springs forward, as will his
earliest thought in the great awakening, to meet
the Lifegiver who shall welcome him to the joy
of the blest. [p. 334]
Well-nigh a score of centuries have passed
since Paul the aged poured out his blood as a
witness for the word of God and for the
testimony of Christ. No faithful hand recorded for
the generations to come, the last scenes in the life
of this holy man; but inspiration has preserved
for us his dying testimony. Like a trumpet peal
has his voice rung out through all the ages, nerving
with his own courage thousands of witnesses
for Christ, and wakening in thousands of
sorrow-stricken hearts the echo of his own triumphant
joy: "I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of my departure is at hand. I have fought
a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and
not to me only, but unto all them also that love
his appearing."
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