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Artist's imaginary likeness of John, Polycarp's teacher.
Excerpted from the video curriculum series, The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church takes a close-up look at two Early Church martyrs, Polycarp and Perpetua, who would rather pay with their lives than deny their faith.
last quote: Quote 4
next quote: Quote 6 |
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ighty and six years have I served Him, and he never did me any injury;
how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior. --Polycarp, disciple of
the Apostle John, and Bishop of Smyrna
In the Asia Minor city of Smyrna, persecution broke out against Christians
and some were put to death for their faith. But the agitated mob wanted
to cut off the church there by getting rid of their leader, the now aged
Polycarp. The believers hid Polycarp in a farmhouse. (The leaders there
taught that one should not seek out martyrdom, but neither should it be
avoided if there was no choice and it meant denying Christ). The authorities
found the farm house and came to arrest the old man. He welcomed his captors
as if they were old friends and gave them food and drink. He asked for
an hour to pray before being taken to the arena. They relented. The hour
stretched into two hours. The officers, overhearing his prayers began
to wonder what they were doing arresting an old man like this.
Polycarp was brought into the arena. Instead of Polycarp begging for his
life we find the proconsul pleading with this aged bishop to just curse
Christ so he would be released. Polycarp's reply--our quote at the top--was
loud and clear. He was burned alive. The Christians present said there
was a joyful radiance on Polycarp's face as he died. Believers were allowed
to bury his remains on February 22, probably in the year 155. Churches
near and far from Smyrna observed this date in years to come and drew
strength from the testimony of this old, old, man who would not deny Christ,
no matter what it cost him.
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