Over 8000 Christians are martyred as listed by Christian groups because of their faith.  Other research and organizations including the Vatican have listed the total worldwide Christian Martyr number to be in the 100,000 area.  Whether there is 8000 or 100,000 the fact is that Christians are killed for their beliefs still today.  North Korea is the most dangerous country for Christians in the World; followed by Somalia, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Syria alone killed 1,213 Christians this year.

A Christian martyr is a person who is killed for following Christianity, through stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake or other forms of torture and capital punishment.  Christians are hated for believing in Jesus Christ and serving him by witnessing and standing up against sin.

Throughout time, Christian’s have been martyred for their beliefs.  The Bible shows us some that were stoned and beheaded for the cause of Christ, including John the Baptist, who was beheaded.  Then Stephen was regarded as the first martyr of Christianity who was stoned and whom was gnashed on by his persecutors teeth, because they were condemned by what he said.  Later we learn through research how Jesus disciples were killed for following him; including Andrew and Simon Peter.  Both were crucified on a cross.

Christians have been killed in the United States by people who refuse to accept Christianity.  Teens were murdered by fellow classmates for refusing to denounce the name of Jesus Christ.  Many more have not been listed here.

Jesus never promised us that life would always be easy, but he did promise us eternal life with him.  In Matthew 24:9, Jesus warned his disciples of things to come. “ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” John 3:15 says, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Related Scriptures:

Revelation 20:4– And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Acts 7:54-60- When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Mark 6:27-28 – And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,  And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.