[PigRigger]

"Regardless of what one thinks of the inspiration of the Jewish or Christian scriptures, the reports about the martyrdom of the apostles are not protected by divine inspiration. Consequently the are subject to a level of historical analysis which a believer would not apply to scripture itself."

I agree; I hold the same standard in believing that the Apostles died in the manner they did as do in believing God created Adam and Eve, the great flood occurred, and that many of the persons mentioned in the Old Testament died for their beliefs as well.

Not all things written in the Old Testament are of eye witness accounts. Some have to be believed because of either faith or because of the context that surrounded the times the events occurred.

There is no doubt that early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs. Their is no doubt that some of the Apostles and early Christians were imprisoned (that is clearly stated in the The New Testament); thus it is not hard to believe that many of the Apostles were killed for their beliefs.

[malakhi]

I hold the same standard in believing that the Apostles died in the manner they did as do in believing God created Adam and Eve, the great flood occurred

On what basis? I'm genuinely curious.