The actual historical evidence for specific apostolic martyrdoms: strong for Peter, Paul, James son of Zebedee, James brother of Jesus (early, multiple sources). Possible for Thomas (some 2nd century evidence). For the rest (Bartholomew, Matthew, Matthias etc.) — 3rd-5th century accounts that are contradictory and likely fictional. McDowell and Moss agree on the later accounts being unreliable.

Evidence tiers for apostolic martyrdoms

Hope for abusive pastors: the disciples who asked for thrones became the greatest servants in church history. James was the first apostle martyred; John served faithfully into old age. Jesus didn't disqualify them for their worldly ambitions — he corrected them and they changed. The same transformation is available today. But it requires: (1) honest self-examination, (2) willingness to be corrected, (3) choosing service over authority.

Hope for transformation — disciples changed

Faith for miracles is different from saving faith — it's initiated by God (a spiritual gift), not fabricated by the believer. Jesus had a responsive ministry to the Father, not initiatory. You respond to what the Spirit reveals.

Theological framework: miracle-faith as God-initiated response, not self-generated belief

The historical problem of racism in the US is genuinely appalling — race is a social construct invented to justify white dominance, US chattel slavery was predicated on the anti-gospel act of man-stealing, and legalized racism lasted ~340 years (1619-1964).

Honest accounting of US racial history before critiquing CRT

Biblical framework: impartiality in judgment (no favoritism for rich or poor), all humans of one blood in God's image, individual sin/accountability, Scripture as the authority over lived experience. CRT is incompatible with Christianity on every core tenet.

The biblical response to CRT

Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?: If repentance is required to be saved, why is it not mentioned in the Gospel of John and other evangelical texts like Acts 16: 31 and Romans 10? Can repentance be somewhat synonymous with belief?

Q&A question: Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?

About Jupiter in the Bible: In Acts 19:35 where it says “the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter,” is this referring to the planet Jupiter, and did they know of other planets in that period of time?

Q&A question: About Jupiter in the Bible

About Becoming a Disciple: How do you become a disciple in light of Matthew 28: 19? Can you be unsaved yet still a disciple? I haven’t found the Greek word (μαθητευω) elsewhere. Seems to normally be μαθητης (ex. Acts 11: 29; 19: 30; 21:4, 16).

Q&A question: About Becoming a Disciple

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

Is Baptism Required?: Why does the Bible sound like baptism is required for salvation in some places (eg. Mark 16: 16)? Does Acts 1:5 answer what KIND of baptism IS required (Holy Spirit baptism)? And what did Jesus mean by “to fulfill righteousness”?

Q&A question: Is Baptism Required?

Refuting a Calvinist Interpretation: I am not a Calvinist, but I am having a very hard time finding a non-Calvinist interpretation of Acts 13: 48.

Q&A question: Refuting a Calvinist Interpretation

About Receiving the Spirit: If we are to believe that you receive the Holy Spirit when you believe, why does there seem to be a separation from believing and receiving in Acts 19:1-2?

Q&A question: About Receiving the Spirit

Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?: I've been told that when witnessing to groups such as the LDS (Mormons), a rebuke is better than a conversation because of Acts 13:8-10. Should false teachers be shown less grace than non-believers?

Q&A question: Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?

Is it Possible to be “Good”?: “Good Man”? Jesus said there is none good but God in Luke 18: 19, Mathew 19: 17, and Mark 10: 18. But, in Acts 11: 24 it talks about a Good Man. Also in Matthew 12: 35, Proverbs 13: 22, and Romans 5:7 (NIV).

Q&A question: Is it Possible to be “Good”?

How Do We “Abstain from Blood” Today?: How, as 21st century Christians, should we understand the decree for gentile believers to abstain from blood (Acts 15: 20, 28, 29)?

Q&A question: How Do We “Abstain from Blood” Today?

Do Not Evangelize to Some People?: Are there situations or groups of people for whom we shouldn't share the Gospel? Acts 16:6-7 seems to say so, but I'd love to hear your insight on the topic and your interpretation of this passage.

Q&A question: Do Not Evangelize to Some People?

Does Acts 13 Prove Calvinism?: I'd like to hear your thoughts about Acts 13: 48. It seems to contradict the idea that God wants everyone to be saved and that everyone has the same opportunity/free will to believe in Him.

Q&A question: Does Acts 13 Prove Calvinism?

Does God Overlook Ignorance?: In Acts 17: 30, what does Paul mean by God overlooking the times of ignorance? Was He more lenient toward idolatry before the time of Christ? Or did He stop trying to save the idolaters of that time?

Q&A question: Does God Overlook Ignorance?

Jesus’ Deity in Scripture: Where does the Bible teach that the deity of Jesus is a salvation/damnation issue? For example, in Athens (Acts 17), it seems weird that Paul didn't explicitly teach this. John 8, perhaps?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity in Scripture

Disciples Knew they Had the Spirit?: In Acts 19:2, Paul asks the disciples if they have received the Holy Spirt. How would they KNOW they received the Holy Spirit? Was there a type of evidence then that we don’t necessarily see today?

Q&A question: Disciples Knew they Had the Spirit?

Paul & the Female Slave: Why was Paul annoyed with the possessed female slave in Acts 16: 16 when she was actually telling the truth? What about Philippians 1: 18?

Q&A question: Paul & the Female Slave

Paul vs. Barnabas: What are your thoughts on the dispute between Paul and Barnabas over Mark in Acts 15: 37-40? Were either of them at fault? What can we take from it?

Q&A question: Paul vs. Barnabas

Dietary Laws: Fulfilled?: How did Jesus fulfill the dietary laws? I’m considering Jesus grafting in Gentiles into the faith to be the fulfillment of that (Matthew 5: 17, Acts 10:9-15).

Q&A question: Dietary Laws: Fulfilled?

James: Works Based Salvation?: In Galatians, Paul says Jews from the sect of James were Judaizers. If the book of James was written before the Acts 15 council, do you think James in his book taught a works-based salvation?

Q&A question: James: Works Based Salvation?

Acts 1

Is Cornelius in Acts 10

Andy Stanley's "unhitching from the Old Testament" teaching conflates two different questions: (1) Are Christians under the law of Moses? and (2) Must Christians believe the Old Testament is true? Acts 15 answers question 1 (no, Gentiles need not keep Torah); it says nothing about question 2. Stanley's conflation leads him to suggest that disbelieving the OT is an acceptable option for struggling Christians.

Critiquing Andy Stanley's conflation of applicability of OT law with the truthfulness of the OT