The Apostles Would Not Recant!

 The Apostles Would Not Recant!

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, October 19, 2026 (Donate)

The Apostles held firmly and boldly to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Having witnessed the risen Lord, they proclaimed His victory over death despite persecution, beatings, imprisonment, threats, and even martyrdom (i.e., being put to death—in horrible ways too!).

The Apostles waiting in the upper in prayer and supplication per Acts 1; Image requested by Bodie Hodge* 

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples over forty days, providing many infallible proofs that He was alive (Acts 1:3). He commissioned them to preach the gospel throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Following His ascension, these once-frightened disciples became courageous and bold witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit, declaring that Jesus Christ had risen from the grave.

Where Did The Apostles Preach After Jesus' Ascension?

The Apostles of Jesus Christ, including Matthias, Paul, Barnabas, and James the Lord's brother, but excluding the betrayer Judas Iscariot (who killed himself), spread the gospel throughout the known world. Scripture records some of their missionary activities, while early Christian writers preserve traditions concerning others.

With some, little is known but I’m including the popular traditions per some local areas—keep in mind that many Apostles (and the 70 extended disciples per Luke 10:1-17) may have went to other places that are simply not recorded as well.

Biblical accounts are authoritative, while later historical traditions vary in reliability (e.g. Eusebius and Josephus are rather reliable but the Acts of Thomas aren’t at that level). The following summarizes their reported missionary destinations and brief reference or authority on it.

1. Peter (Simon Peter): Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Joppa, Caesarea, and Antioch (Acts 2-12; Galatians 2:11). Traditions also place him in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Bithynia, and finally Rome for his execution (Eusebius, Church History, 3.1).
2. Andrew: Traditionally, he preached in Scythia (north of the Black Sea), Asia Minor, and Greece, particularly Achaia (Eusebius, Church History, 3.1). Tradition from Scotland say his bones were brought to Scotland at Kilrymont in Fife and thus it was renamed St Andrews.[1]
3. James, son of Zebedee: Ministered in Jerusalem and Judea. Scripture records his execution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-2). A later tradition associates him with travelling to Spain at one point but this is without certainty.
4. John, son of Zebedee: Jerusalem and Samaria (Acts 3-8); traditionally Asia Minor, especially Ephesus, and then was banished to Patmos Island (Revelation 1:9; Eusebius, Church History, 3.1).
5. Philip: Traditionally preached in Phrygia, particularly Hierapolis in Asia Minor (Eusebius, Church History, 3.31). He shouldn’t be confused with Philip the evangelist in Acts 8.
6. Bartholomew: Traditionally preached in India, Armenia, and possibly Mesopotamia (Eusebius, Church History, 5.10; Armenian Christian tradition).
7. Thomas (Didymus): Traditionally preached in Parthia (Persia) and India, particularly southern India (Eusebius, Church History, 3.1; Acts of Thomas, a later nonbiblical account).
8. Matthew (Levi): Traditionally preached in Judea, Ethiopia, and possibly Persia. His destinations outside Judea remain uncertain (Socrates Scholasticus, Church History, 1.19; later traditions).
9. James, son of Alphaeus: Traditionally associated with preaching in Palestine and possibly Egypt. Reliable historical information about his later travels is extremely limited.
10. Simon the Zealot: Traditions place his missionary activities in Egypt, Persia, and possibly regions surrounding the Black Sea. These accounts differ considerably.
11. Judas Thaddaeus, not Iscariot: Traditionally preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, Edessa, and Persia, with Armenian traditions also associating him with Armenia.
12. Matthias: Chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:21-26). Traditions associate him with Judea, Cappadocia, and regions near the Black Sea, although his movements are uncertain.
13. Paul (Saul of Tarsus): Preached throughout Arabia, Damascus, Syria, Cilicia, Cyprus, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Jerusalem, Casearia, Greece, Rome, and possibly Spain. His ministry extended toward Illyricum (Acts 13-28; Romans 15:19, 24-28; Galatians 1:15-21). Tradition records his martyrdom in Rome (Eusebius, Church History, 2.25).
14. Barnabas: Preached in Jerusalem, Antioch, Cyprus, and Asia Minor, including Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (Acts 11-15). Tradition places his later ministry and death in Cyprus.
15. James, the Lord's brother: Became a prominent leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19; 2:9). His martyrdom in Jerusalem is recorded by Josephus (Antiquities, 20.9.1).

Several Apostles traveled to multiple regions, and their missionary activities sometimes overlapped. Their combined testimony helped carry the gospel across the Roman Empire and beyond.

Paul trekking to Arabia to do his first ministry per Galatians 1:15-21 (conveniently, the Latin name for English name Arabia is also Arabia!); Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Why Was This Important?

As a whole, the Apostles were willing to suffer and die because they firmly believed Jesus had conquered death. He possessed the keys of Hades and Death (Revelation 1:18). They loved Him and understood that eternal life was found in Him alone (John 14:6).

Peter and John boldly declared that they couldn’t stop speaking about what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20). Even when threatened and beaten, the Apostles continued preaching Christ (Acts 5:40-42).

People sometimes die for false beliefs they sincerely think are true. However, the Apostles claimed to be eyewitnesses of the risen Christ (Acts 2:32; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). If they had knowingly fabricated the resurrection, they would have understood their deception.

Although Scripture doesn’t document the martyrdom of every Apostle or record individual opportunities to recant, there is no reliable early evidence that any repudiated their testimony of Christ's resurrection.

Their courage, to us, should be powerful! They endured hardship, imprisonment, lashes, persecution, and, in several documented or traditionally reported cases, death—in tortuous ways.

The Apostles’ unwavering proclamation was that Jesus Christ had risen bodily from the grave. Their message wasn’t merely that Jesus had lived, taught, and died, but that He was alive forevermore! Their conviction was simple and summed up by Peter:

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69, NKJV).

How Were The Apostles Martyred?

The initial twelve Apostles were the initial disciples, minus the betrayer—Judas Iscariot. And then Matthias who replaced him (Acts 1:26). There were other Apostles elevated and listed in Scripture, all with equal authority. The most famous of these were Paul (also called Saul). But there was also Barnabas and the Lord’s brother (James).

Of course, Jesus Christ is The Apostle of God who was crucified in Jerusalem. Unlike all others, He resurrected and we await the general resurrection of the living and the death. The Apostles of Jesus are listed below.

Table 1: Apostles of Jesus: References and Death Traditions

Apostle	Bible Reference Identifying as Apostle	Death (Biblical or Early Church Tradition)	Primary Historical Source(s)
Peter	Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13	Crucified upside down in Rome under Nero (tradition).	Origen; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
Andrew	Matthew 10:2	Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece.	Acts of Andrew; early church tradition
James (son of Zebedee)	Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13	Beheaded by order of Herod Agrippa I.	Acts 12:2
John	Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13	Died of old age in Ephesus after exile on Patmos.	Irenaeus; Eusebius
Philip	Matthew 10:3	Martyred by crucifixion or hanging in Hierapolis.	Polycrates of Ephesus
Bartholomew (Nathanael)	Matthew 10:3; John 1:45–49	Flayed alive and beheaded according to tradition.	Eusebius; Armenian tradition
Matthew (Levi)	Matthew 10:3; Matthew 9:9	Killed by sword or spear while ministering.	Early church traditions
Thomas	Matthew 10:3; John 20:24	Speared to death in India.	Acts of Thomas
James (son of Alphaeus)	Matthew 10:3	Stoned or beaten to death.	Hegesippus; Eusebius
Thaddaeus (Jude/Lebbaeus)	Matthew 10:3; Jude 1	Killed with clubs or arrows in Persia.	Early Syriac tradition
Simon the Zealot	Matthew 10:4	Martyred, possibly sawn in two or crucified.	Later church tradition
Matthias	Acts 1:26	Stoned and then beheaded according to tradition.	Nicephorus; early church writers
Paul	Acts 14:14; Galatians 1:1	Beheaded in Rome under Nero.	Clement of Rome; Eusebius
Barnabas	Acts 14:14	Stoned to death in Cyprus.	Acts of Barnabas
James (the Lord’s brother)	Galatians 1:19	Thrown from the Temple and beaten to death.	Josephus; Hegesippus

John, although persecuted in the tribulation (Revelation 1:9), was banished to a penal colony in Patmos. So although he was the sole one who wasn’t martyred, he still felt the persecution in a very personal and harsh way.

The point is that they Apostles of Christ, were willing to stand of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection and the threat or death or being put to death wouldn’t stop their testimony.

The Apostles were unwavering in their following of Jesus Christ—even into death. Even with all the persecution, Christianity began to explode and Christianity continues to grow today and transform lives with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Image by generative program as requested by Bodie Hodge

 

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[1] Editors, Saint Andrew, Religion and Ethics, BBC, Accessed October 19, 2026, https://www.bbc.co.uk/southscotland/content/articles/2008/11/05/saintandrew_feature.shtml.