On the Twelve Apostles is a short record written by Hippolytus of Rome about the life and death of eleven of Jesus’ original Apostles, including Matthias and Paul. The author and theologian lived from 170 to 235 AD. He studied under Irenaeus and became an important early Christian theologian. Historically, he is known as a staunch defender of orthodoxy, a fierce opponent of heresies, and an unapologetic critic of lax discipline. Hippolytus lived during a time of persecution and tension within the Church. Emperor Maximinus Thrax exiled him to Sardinia, where he died as a martyr.
Hippolytus on the Twelve Apostles
Where each of them preached, and where he met his end.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Peter
Peter preached the Gospel in Pontus, and Galatia, and Cappadocia, and Betania, and Italy, and Asia, and was afterwards crucified by Nero in Rome with his head downward, as he had himself desired to suffer in that manner.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Andrew
Andrew preached to the Scythians and Thracians, and was crucified, suspended on an olive tree, at Patræ, a town of Achaia; and there too he was buried.
The Ministry and Death of John
John, again, in Asia, was banished by Domitian the king to the isle of Patmos, in which also he wrote his Gospel and saw the apocalyptic vision; and in Trajan’s time he fell asleep at Ephesus, where his remains were sought for, but could not be found.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of James the brother of John
James, his brother, when preaching in Judea, was cut off with the sword by Herod the tetrarch, and was buried there.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Philip
Philip preached in Phrygia, and was crucified in Hierapolis with his head downward in the time of Domitian, and was buried there.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Bartholomew
Bartholomew, again, preached to the Indians, to whom he also gave the Gospel according to Matthew, and was crucified with his head downward, and was buried in Allanum, a town of the great Armenia.
The Ministry and Death of Matthew
And Matthew wrote the Gospel in the Hebrew tongue, and published it at Jerusalem, and fell asleep at Hierees, a town of Parthia.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Thomas
And Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and Margians, and was thrust through in the four members of his body with a pine spear at Calamene, the city of India, and was buried there.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of James the Son of Alphaeus
And James the son of Alphæus, when preaching in Jerusalem, was stoned to death by the Jews, and was buried there beside the temple.
The Ministry and Death of Jude
Jude, who is also called Lebbæus, preached to the people of Edessa, and to all Mesopotamia, and fell asleep at Berytus, and was buried there.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot, the son of Clopas, who is also called Jude, became bishop of Jerusalem after James the Just, and fell asleep and was buried there at the age of 120 years.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Matthias
And Matthias, who was one of the seventy, was numbered along with the eleven apostles, and preached in Jerusalem, and fell asleep and was buried there.
The Ministry and Martyrdom of Paul
And Paul entered into the apostleship a year after the assumption of Christ; and beginning at Jerusalem, he advanced as far as Illyricum, and Italy, and Spain, preaching the Gospel for five-and-thirty years. And in the time of Nero he was beheaded at Rome, and was buried there.
Hippolytus on the Twelve Apostles: Sources
- All images added by Into Christianity. They are all in public domain.
