At the urging of his congregation, the 86 year old Bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, went into hiding. A wave of severe persecution came upon the Christians. However, they were ready because of the letter Christ had written to this congregation through the hands of John in Revelation 2:8-11.
When we think of the history of Christianity, we think of Jesus, Paul and the Apostles, but have you ever thought beyond the Apostles? What would the transition have been like as the eyewitnesses to Christ were taken off the scene and the only communication devices were parched paper, ink and those who knew the apostles personally?
Think for a moment of how vulnerable the early Church must have been. Their leaders had all been killed, (only the Apostle John died of natural causes, although authorities tried to kill him twice). The Church faced an ongoing threat from the Roman Empire. Rome viewed Christians as atheists for their refusal to worship multiple gods. The Church had to, “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3-4) as they faced attacks from the Nicolaitans, Judaizers and others whom Jude said, “have crept in unnoticed…who pervert the grace of our God…” It must have been a shaky time for the infant New Testament Church.
Polycarp was the pastor of the Church in Smyrna, about 40 miles north of Ephesus. He was personally disciple by the Apostle of Love, John for 20 years. He was first a deacon, which was not an easy task. His job was to care for the saints, particularly the families of believers who had been martyred. He was to raise funds for them and we know through what Christ said that they were poor, “I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich)…” Revelation 2:9
He soon became the Bishop and Smyrna was not an easy city to pastor in. Although it was an important area, known as the “crown of Asia,” it had enormous challenges. It was the most beautiful city of Asia Minor, celebrated for its schools in science and medicine. Their excellent harbor was a direct trade route from India and Persia to Rome. Smyrna was fiercely loyal to Rome and this led to intense emperor worship making Christians a constant target for persecution. Today, it is the modern city of Izmir, Turkey and is the traditional birth place of Homer.
The following is the account of the martyrdom of Polycarp.
“Swear by the fortune of Caesar! Repent! Declare: ‘Death to the atheists!’” Polycarp then turned to the crowd, with a wave of his hand, he shouted, “Death to the atheists!”
This angered the magistrate, “Swear, and I will set you free at once! You have but to insult Christ.”
Polycarp responded, “I have served Him for 86 years and He has never done me any wrong. Why then should I blaspheme against my King and my Savior?”
“Swear by Caesar’s fortune” demanded the magistrate. “You flatter yourself if you hope to persuade me. In all truth I solemnly declare to you: I am a Christian.”
“I have lions here, to use as I think fit,” the magistrate seethed.“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.”
“If you do not repent, I shall have you burned at the stake, since you are so contemptuous of the lions.”
“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 declared, Polycarp was to die by being burned at the stake. As they led Polycarp to his death, he assured the soldiers that it wasn’t necessary to fasten him to the stake because he would not run. As the flames lapped around him, he prayed with a loud voice,
”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.”
Our heritage of Christianity is a valuable thing because of men and women, who as Hebrews 11:38 says, “of whom the world was not worthy,” Polycarp is among these mentioned who was faithful unto death. He stands a pillar of Church and an example to all believers.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
Revelation 2:10-11
