| POLYCARP |
- POLYCARP - Polycarp lived between 70 and 155 A.D... A father of the Christian
Church. He was adopted by a wealthy woman named Callisto, a member of the Smyrna
Church. She was noted for her works of charity. Callisto dreamed that she was to go to the
Ephesians gate and redeem a young boy who was a slave of two men.
This became true and she did. Polycarp was brought up in a Christian home, provided him an
education and was taught the ways of the Lord. As he grew he became
a direct pupil of the apostle John for twenty years, in that day every natural calamity, whether
flood or earthquake or drought, was blamed on the Christians
and their refusal to worship Caesar as God. When Polycarp was old in years, a flurry of
persecution broke out in Smyrna, Polycarp and fourteen others were arrested
on the charge of being a Christian. They were seized and dragged to the public arena. As
Polycarp entered the Stadium a voice came from heaven:' BE STRONG, POLYCARP,
AND PLAY THE MAN'. No one saw the speaker, but those who were believers who were
present heard the voice. All but one of the fourteen died
Gloriously, one even slapped the lion that seemed to be to lazy in attacking him. The crowd was
not placated and began to shout for more. Particularly for Polycarp
who they knew was ordained by the apostle John to be a Bishop of Smyrna. When the
proconsul ordered Polycarp to renounce Christ and offer a pinch of incense
to Caesar, because the magistrate was reluctant to kill a gentle old man. Polycarp answered:
Eighty six years I have served Christ, nor has He ever done me wrong. How , then, could I
blaspheme my King who saves me?
(Magistrate) "Swear by Caesar's fortune!"
(Polycarp) "You flatter yourself if you hope to persuade me. In all truth I solemnly declare to
you: I AM A CHRISTIAN!"
(Magistrate) “I have lions here, to use as I think fit."
(Polycarp) “Give your orders. As for us Christians, when we change, it is not from good to bad:
it is splendid to pass through evil into God's justice."
(Magistrate) "If you do not repent I shall have you burned at the stake, since you are so
contemptuous of the lions."
(Polycarp) "You threaten me with a fire that burns for an hour and then dies down. But do you
know the eternal fire of the justice that is to come? Do you know the punishment that is to
devour the ungodly? Come, don't delay! Do what you want with me."
The condemnation was proclaimed; the mob rushed from the seats to gather sticks and faggots.
The executioners would have nailed him to the stake; but he said to them in charge of the
execution that they need not fasten him to the stake, for he had no intention of fleeing, they
therefore contented themselves with tying his hands behind his back. Prayer could be heard
coming from the lips of Christ's faithful servant:
Lord God Almighty, Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, through whom
we have received the grace of knowing Thee, God of angels and powers, and the whole creation,
and of the whole race of the righteous who live in Thy presence; I bless Thee for deigning me
worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink of the cup of my
Lord Jesus Christ...I praise Thee for all Thy mercies; I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, through the
eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom to Thyself and the Holy
Spirit, be glory both now and forever, Amen.
He had scarce said Amen when fire was set to the pile, which increased to a mighty flame. But
behold a wonder, say the authors of these acts, seen by us reserved to attest it to others; the
flames forming themselves into an arch, like the sails of a ship swelled with the wind, gently
encircled the body of the martyr, which stood in the middle, resembling not roasted flesh, but
purified gold or silver, appearing bright through the flames; and his body sending forth such a
fragrance that we seemed to smell precious spices. The blind infidels were only exasperated to
see his body could not be consumed. The magistrate ordered a spear man to pierce him
through, which he did, and such a quantity of blood issued out of his left side as to quench the
fire. The proconsul also gave orders to relight the fire an burn the dead body, so lest the
Christians
"Should abandon the worship of the crucified one, and now begin to worship this man". The
bones of the martyr were collected by the Christians, and gave a honorable place.
Polycarp was faithful unto death; he did so in expectation that he would receive a crown of life
from Christ.
So ended the last church father who personally knew an Apostle.....
(NOTE)--REVELATIONS 2:8-11 Christ says to the church of Smyrna where Polycarp
was Bishop. And to the angel of the church on Smyrna write, 'these things says the First and
the Last, who was dead, and came to life: "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you
are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a
synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed,
the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have
tribulation (ten short out breaks of persecution). Be faithful until death, and I will give you the
crown of life.