Joos Verbeek was apprehended by the Margrave of Antwerp on this day in 1561. Two days later, when he was charged with being the minister of an illegal church, he confessed his faith in Christ and his belief in the truths of the Word of God, including believer’s baptism. Brother Verbeek was then horrendously tortured with the hopes that he would give the authorities the names of his fellow church members. He was bound with a rope which was pulled so tightly that it broke – twice. Twice in four days he endured the rack, but he didn’t give up a single name. He was scourged until the blood flowed. The affliction which pained him the most was the crushing of his right hand, disabling him from ever using it to write words of encouragement to his brethren.
When he heard the pronouncement that he was condemned to be burned as an heretic, he spoke to the crowd of witnesses. “Dear fellow citizens: I have lived here eleven years, and no one can bring any complaints against me, for I have done wrong to no one, and my life and doctrine agree with the Word of God.” Someone in crowd shouted, “That is true.” When the constables tried to find the man and failed, Brother Verbeek went on. “He who delivered Daniel from the lion’s den, will likewise preserve me; for I suffer not for evil doing, but for the name of the Lord.” Then someone else shouted, “That is true.” As the shouts subsided Joos added, “Dear fellow citizens, thus must all god’s children suffer; the saints of God, the prophets, and many godly men have trodden this path before me.”
After painfully writing a final letter to his dear wife with his left hand, Verbeek was taken to a straw hut where he was to be presented as a burnt offering. The executioner performed his work with fear and trembling, but there was neither fear nor trembling the Lord’s servant, and Joos Verbeek passed into the presence of his Saviour.