Polycarp
A.D. 65- 155
Overseer of Smyrna (Modern Day Turkey)
As wonderful as it is to study the Bible for the last 17 years, and be instructed by its ever-living words, it has also been refreshing to study the life of the early Church fathers, to learn what the early Christians looked like after the apostles were gone, and to compare our current practices with those who were discipled by Jesus’ disciples. It is absolutely intriguing to read the writings of the men who knew those who knew the Lord (in the flesh).
Polycarp was born years after Christ ascended, but was in fact a disciple of the apostle John, the one whom Jesus loved. Polycarp was a friend and fellow laborer with Ignatius, who also was a disciple of John, and of whom we have numerous epistles to the Churches in the 1st, and early 2nd century. Polycarp was born much later than Ignatius and also outlived him by many years. Polycarp also had disciples, one of whom was Irenaeus, who is well known today in Church history.
Along with his holy lifestyle, testimony and martyrdom, Polycarp was also known for his work- a beautiful epistle to the Philippians. This was the same Church that Paul established and wrote to during his pilgrimage. I counted and found roughly 77 Scripture quotations in Polycarp’s 3.5-page letter, which shows that he lived and breathed the Holy Scriptures! We need to learn from him. Many pastors today are sparse with the Scriptures, replacing them with the doctrines of men, entertainment and savvy stories. May it never be so with God’s faithful ambassadors.
In his epistle, we see him praising the Philippians for their faith and perseverance, just as Paul did previously, even boasting of their faith to all the Churches. The fact that they were still standing during the time of this letter is an encouragement to us all, that God is able to make us stand, no matter what we endure.
Polycarp uses almost poetic words as he speaks of our chains in Christ as being the ornaments of the saints, and diadems (crowns) upon the heads of the elect of God. He exhorts the Church to stand strong in the faith, to endure suffering, to live holy and to pray for all people, including our enemies. As I read through the pages, I feel a sense of holiness and righteous living that convicts me to be more than I am now. It compels me to pursue godliness on a deeper level, being surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses who have poured out their lives unto Him who died for them.
I also read in the pages a great exaltation of God Himself, of Jesus Christ His Son, and very much clarity as to many truths that have been blurred today. He pronounces judgment upon those who pervert the gospel, and also declares that any who do not confess the testimony of the cross, or that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, or any who twist the words of God, especially in regards to the resurrection and judgment, such a one is the firstborn of satan! I have to say, but the disciple of Jesus disciple just condemned many of today’s big-time preachers, calling them sons of the devil. That’s straight forward.
He convicts me in the areas of prayer, fasting and showing more mercy towards others, reminding me that I also am under a debt of sin. He exhorts the Church to patiently obey the word of God, which is the word of righteousness. He makes very clear that salvation is not by works, but by grace, and yet in the same breath reminds us of our duty to depart from sin and live uprightly in all areas of our life, or we are in danger of judgment.
It is fascinating to read his letter, comprehending from his writings that he grew up on the heals of Christ’s disciples, whom we all know and love. Equally fascinating is to hear him write of his contemporaries, fellow brethren in the faith of his time, new names unknown to the Bible. One brother, named Valens, he grieves over because he has left the faith and fallen into covetousness. We see Polycarp’s love for him, as he speaks of a desire for his repentance, and urges the Church not to view him as an enemy.
The theme that strikes me the most in this letter is to live holy, and be blameless before the world. James declared that that is true and undefiled religion before God, along with love for the poor. The brothers in the early centuries definitely exemplified that and we need to follow in their example.
We will end this report with the beautiful account of Polycarp’s martyrdom. As a rose when it is crushed lets off a beautiful fragrance, so the slaying of this saint only displayed the glory of God to the world, encouraging the faith of many and emboldening the suffering Church.
Polycarp, now an old man, was a shepherd to the Church in Smyrna, and very respected as one who had known the disciple of Jesus. Although the call went out to find him and have him executed, the Church continued to hide him for their own benefit. Who would want to lose such a guide?
But eventually, the time came that it was the Lord’s will for Polycarp to glorify the Lord Jesus through his death, and he had a vision while he was praying in which his pillow caught on fire, signifying how he was to be martyred. He was at peace and in no way disturbed by this. This comes from knowing and walking closely to Jesus.
Just as with our Lord, a “brother” betrayed his whereabouts and soon they came to his location. Now he could have escaped, but he had determined to put an end to this and fulfill God’s purpose, so he welcomed the soldiers in. He had the believers prepared food for his captors, and was permitted to pray before leaving. He prayed earnestly for 2 hours, praying for the guards, the Churches, and all those that he ever knew. It was so moving that some of those who had come for him repented for having to arrest such a godly man.
Nevertheless, he was taken, and others attempted to persuade him to deny the Lord Jesus, upon which he clearly refused. He did not count his life dear to himself, for he was not his own, he had been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Any attempt to cause him to spare his life in this world was futile.
Once in the stadium, Polycarp was again pressured to blaspheme Christ and so free himself, something that is extremely common through history. The fact that so often in different regions of the world the same spirit is at work, asking Christians to simply deny the Lord Jesus and live, gives us strong evidence that the world hates Christ Jesus because He is the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
Polycarp’s second response was even bolder than the first, declaring that he had served Jesus for 86 years, and never had the Lord done him wrong; he was not about to blaspheme his King. On top of that, he boldly proclaimed that, “I am a Christian”. After being threatened with the flame, he responded in saying that this flame would only burn for an hour, but that the accusers were ignorant of the eternal flame of judgment that was coming upon all the ungodly. As Christians, we must have this eternal mindset as we walk through life, letting it govern our thoughts, affections, heart, and will. For this world is quickly fading away.
At the end of his speech he welcomed the flames and said, “Why wait? Bring forth what you want.” The proconsul was astounded as his faith, and had a herald declare 3 times, “Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian.” Upon this provocation, the crowds demanded his death. The wood was quickly gathered, and after Polycarp’s prayer of thanks to the Lord, was lit on fire. Incredibly, for the glory of God, the flames had no effect on the brother, but he seemed to glow as bread that is golden, and a sweet fragrance immitted from him. The enemy seeing that he would not burn, ordered for him to be pierced with a dagger. When the blade penetrated his body, it is reported that blood gushed out so much that the fire was extinguished. These miraculous events made clear to the viewer that there was a difference between the wicked and the godly.
Polycarp’s body was burned but his martyrdom celebrated by believers, in remembering those who have gone before them, and also to prepare those who will walk in his steps, for the glory of God. Ultimately, dear reader, we are all called to such a life of sacrifice, if we belong to Christ. He has purchased you with His precious blood, He has blazed the trail before you. Because you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, those who have left a history of faith, you also let your heart be entirely His, and come what may, but you serve Him with your life. As Leonard Ravenhill always said, “There is only one life, it will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Blessed Hope Chapel 