Question:  Dear Greg ,

            Death could come at any time.  By death, I mean the termination of one’s vital physical functions.  The Bible says being killed is a possibility every true Christian must face when living a right life.  Is the Bible referring to all acts of injustice that tend to shorten life?  Does a Christian have a higher chance of being killed than a non-Christian?  Did part of Jesus’ death on the cross mean that those who obey Christ would not die?

            Richard

 

Answer:  Dear Richard,

            Jesus’ death did not mean that those who accept Christ will not face physical death—but they will be given eternal life.  Stephen was stoned to death, Paul and Peter were martyred (as were many Christians in Rome ), under a persecution of Nero referred to in 1 Peter.

            Scholars estimate that 70 million Christians have died for their faith over time.  One Italian author estimates that 45 million of those Christian martyrs died in the 20th century.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht