Faithful Witnesses

It seems to be that many believe Christianity spread throughout the globe via sword and gun. Conquest, colonization and forced conversion of the innocent propagated the Christian faith and nothing more. Not surprisingly, one must omit a significant portion of history and deny a deeper truth to draw that conclusion. For history shows the first Christians were commoners; they were fishermen and tradesmen, eunuchs and slaves. The first converts witnessed through their service and suffering not through their swords. They were tossed to lions and lit as candles. They were martyred by the thousands. It was their praises to God as they turned to flame that convinced many a deeper truth was at hand.

It is to the Christian witnesses who led lives worthy of these early martyrs to which this page is dedicated. At a time when the world seems hell bent on preaching a false narrative regarding the spread of Christianity, it seems good to remember the early history of the church, as well as those bound to the early church’s spirit, which is inextricably tied to the cross. May these stories provide inspiration and encouragement to the suffering Christians of today, so they may continue to persevere and grow in their faith.

Click on their names to read their stories:

John G. Paton

“It will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.”

Charles Spurgeon

“Did you ever lie a week on one side? Did you ever try to turn, and find yourself quite helpless? Did others lift you, and by their kindness reveal to you the miserable fact that they must lift you back again at once into the old position, for bad as it was, it was preferable to any other?”

Jim Elliot

“After their first meeting, one of the tribe, a man they called George lied to the tribe about the men’s intentions. This lie led the Waodoni warriors to plan an attack for when the missionaries returned.”

Elisabeth Elliot

As it used to be said: Now, for the rest of the story…

This page captures but a small sample of those who led incredible lives all for the love of Christ. We are always on the watch for new names to add, so please email us at: TheStuart@ChristianFaithArmory.com with suggestions.

Martin Rinkart

“Rinkart was left alone to tend the sick and bury the dead. He performed up to fifty funerals per day, in all totaling over 4,480, including his wife’s.” Yet, in the darkness he wrote hymns of joy.”

Annie Johnson Flint

“No one but God and she knew what suffering she endured as the disease became worse with the passing of the years, and new complications developed.” In the midst of the pain she penned – He Giveth More Grace

Adoniram Judson – for longer read click here

“In 1824, the Burmese emperor imprisoned nearly all Western men as presumed spies for the British government. This included Adoniram, who spent nineteen months in two different prisons, including one overseen by convicted murderers who had been spared death in exchange for serving as jailers!”

Bill Wallace

“He was arrested in China on false charges based on planted evidence. He was beaten, ridiculed, jabbed with bamboo sticks by prison guards. Driven to distraction by brutal interrogations, he was despondent to the point of insanity in his final days, according to witnesses jailed with him.”

Corrie ten Boom

“In September 1944, the Nazis deported Corrie and Betsie ten Boom to the Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany. In Ravensbrück, the sisters managed to stay together until Betsie died that December.”

Deibler Rose

“When the Japanese forces arrived, the couple were sent to separate internment camps. In their hasty parting Russell’s last words were, ‘Remember one thing, dear: God said that he would never leave us nor forsake us.’ And, as Darlene wrote in her autobiography, ‘I never saw him again.’”

Richard Wurmbrand

“Pastor Wurmbrand was released through a general amnesty in 1964, again resuming his underground ministry. A group of Christians in Norway, realizing the probability and danger of a third imprisonment, negotiated his family’s emigration from Romania with the Communist authorities, who had begun “selling” political prisoners. While the average price for a prisoner was about $1,900, the government demanded $10,000 for Pastor Wurmbrand.”

David Brainerd

“While experiencing sickness, extreme hardship, and loneliness, Brainerd often took up his pen to write of his increased love for the American Indians under his ministerial care.”