According to the statements of some writers, he afterwards became bishop of the church at Corinth, and died a martyr after having done much preaching. This much is certain, according to the testimony of Holy Scripture, that he was not only apprehended and scourged for the Gospel’s sake, but suffered many indignities before his end. _A. Mell., 1st Book, van de Hist. der Vervolg., fol. 18, col. 1._
ONESIPHORUS, A FRIEND OF PAUL, AND PORPHYRIUS, HIS COMPANION, TIED TO WILD HORSES, AND DRAGGED, OR TORN, TO DEATH, AT HELLESPONTUS, THROUGH THE EDICT OF NERO, ABOUT A. D. 70.
Onesiphorus was an Asian, a citizen of Ephesus, in Asia Minor, and very virtuous and godly in life, so that he frequently came to visit, converse with, and comfort, the apostle Paul in his bonds at Rome; on account of which Paul rejoiced with all his heart, and prayed to God to reward him for this kindness in the great day of recompense. Concerning this, Paul writes thus to Timothy: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.” 2 Tim. 1:16–18. In the conclusion of the same letter he affectionately salutes the household of Onesiphorus, saying, “Salute ... and the household of Onesiphorus.... Grace be with you. Amen.” Verses 19,22.
Some writers say that this pious man was bishop of (the church of) Colophon; others, of Coronia: but whether Colophon and Coronia at that time were not one and the same city, called by two different names; or, if they were two separate cities, whether he had the oversight over both churches at once, is a matter of little consequence. It is sufficient for us, that the historians agree in the fact that he and Porphyrius, his fellow servant of Jesus Christ, were first beaten with many severe stripes at Hellespontus, by the order of Adrianus the governor, and afterwards, both together, tied to wild horses, and thus dragged or torn to death, by virtue of Nero’s bloody edict. _A. Mellin., 1st Book van de historien der Vervolgingen en Martelaren_, printed _A. D. 1619, fol. 18, col. 2, from Doroth., in Synopsi Mart. Rom. 6 Sept._
ANDREW, THE HOLY APOSTLE, CRUCIFIED AT PATRAS, IN ACHAIA, ABOUT A. D. 70.
[Illustration: ANDREW, THE APOSTLE, CRUCIFIED AT PATRAS.]
Andrew, the son of Jona, and brother of Peter, was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee. He was first a disciple of John the Baptist, and since he was older than Peter, and knew Christ first, he brought his brother to Christ as to the true Messiah. Being also a fisherman, like Peter, the Lord called him, and promised to make him a fisher of men. John 1:44,40,42; Matt. 4:18,19.
And because he zealously followed the Lord, and was instructed in the evangelical doctrine, so that he was worthy to be filled with the spirit of miracles, the Lord ordained him as one of his twelve apostles; in which ministry he, with the others, faithfully labored among the Jews. Matt. 10:2; Mark 6:7.
He was held in no small esteem by the Lord; for he had, as it appears, a freer access to him, than Philip himself. Compare John 1:40 with verses 42,43.
Further, although he fell through weakness, like all the other apostles, in forsaking his master; yet he recovered from his fall, and again joined himself to Christ and to his fellow-brethren. Matt. 26:31; Luke 24:33.
Afterwards he with all his fellow-ministers received command to preach the gospel in the whole world, and to all nations; to which end he was endued, on the day of Pentecost, with the Holy Ghost, whom he received in all fullness. Matt. 28:19.