Polycarp of Smyrna (Full Script)

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Polycarp of Smyrna

Post-Apostolic Church

POLYCARP

Polycarp was a bishop in Smyrna where the apostle John appointed him.  He wrote a letter to the Philippians around AD 135 and was martyred in AD 155.

Polycarp was converted by the apostles and was a personal student of the apostle John.  His knowledge of the Scriptures is clearly evident; nearly every other phrase is a quotation of or a reference to Scripture. Polycarp was an overseer in Smyrna at the same time when John was writing to that church in Revelation chapter two.  He was a friend of Ignatius and Papias—both of whom also knew the apostle John.  Irenaeus was one of Polycarp’s students.

DEEDS

In AD 135, he wrote a letter to the Philippians to encourage good works.  In the letter, Polycarp speaks about Paul's letter to the Philippians.  He writes,

Neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul.*  When among you, he accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive.  When absent from you, he wrote letters to you.  If you carefully study, you will find [it] to be the way of building yourselves up in the faith which has been given to you.  [This faith] is followed by hope and preceded by love towards God, Christ, and our neighbor.  (Polycarp.  AD 135.  ANF, vol 1, page 33.)  * Possible reference to 2Pet 3:15.

Around AD 155, Polycarp went to Rome and had a dispute with the bishop of Rome, Anicetus, concerning when to celebrate Pascha, that is, Jesus Christ's resurrection.  Polycarp and the rest of Asia Minor celebrated it on Nisan 14, regardless of the day of the week.  Anicetus and the church in Rome celebrated it on the first Sunday after Nisan 14.  In the end, neither of them convinced the other to change.  Yet they remained in full fellowship with one another.

In AD 155 at the age of 86, Polycarp refused to swear by the fortune of Emperor Antoninus Pius.  He was then burned at the stake.  Christian witnesses who accompanied him from Smyrna recorded his martyrdom.

OTHER WRITINGS

About Polycarp, Pre-Nicene Christians wrote,

The Ephesians from Smyrna...salute you, along with Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna.  (Ignatius.  AD 105.  Vol 1, page 65.)

The blessed Polycarp was the twelfth person who was martyred in Smyrna....  However, he occupies a place of his own in the memory of everyone.  In fact, he is everywhere spoken of by the pagans themselves.  He was not only a renowned teacher, but he was also a pre-eminent martyr.  (Martyrdom of Polycarp.  AD 155.  ANF, vol 1, page 43.)

Polycarp also was instructed by the apostles, and he spoke with many who had seen Christ.  Not only was he appointed by apostles as bishop of the church in Smyrna in Asia.  I also saw him in my early youth, for he lived a very long time.  When he was a very old man, he gloriously and most nobly suffered martyrdom and departed this life.  He had always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the church has handed down, and which alone are true.  (Irenaeus.  AD 180.  ANF, vol 1, page 416.)

I can remember also, how he [Polycarp] would speak of his familiar relations with John, and with the rest of those who had seen the Lord.  I remember how he would call their words to remembrance.  Whatever things he had heard from them respecting the Lord, both with regard to His miracles and His teachings, Polycarp would recount them all in harmony with the Scriptures--having in that manner received it from the eye-witnesses of the Word of life.  (Irenaeus.  AD 180.  ANF, vol 1, page 569.)

About Polycarp himself, his life was one of utmost holiness.  Other Christians showed him such honor that Polycarp was not accustomed to putting on his own shoes because others volunteered to do it for him.  When officers arrived to arrest him, he immediately offered them food.

When he heard that they had come, he went down and spoke with them....  Immediately, in that very hour, he ordered that something should be set before them to eat and drink, as much as they cared for, while he beseeched them to allow him an hour to pray without disturbance.  When they allowed him to leave, he stood and prayed, being full of the grace of God, so that he could not cease for two full hours, to the astonishment of them that heard him so that many who had come against such a godly and venerable old man began to repent.  (Martyrdom of Polycarp.  AD 155.  ANF, vol 1, page 40.)

In summary,

He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, having been altogether consistent with the Gospel of Christ.  Through patience and having overcome the unjust governor and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all the righteous [in heaven], rejoicingly glorify God, even the Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Universal Church throughout the world.  (Martyrdom of Polycarp.  AD 155.  ANF, vol 1, page 43).