Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

I would like to share a letter in this blog post, not from me, but from our Apostolic Fathers; commonly known as the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Although the author of this letter is unknown, it was recorded by Eusebius, who claims to have received it through a letter addressed to the Church of Philemelium by the Church of Smyrna. The work details Polycarp's death at the age of 86, martyred under the hand of the Roman empire, possibly under the reign of Marcus Aurelius (121-180 C.E.).

Polycarp resided in Asia Minor as bishop of Smyrna, a disciple of the apostles, in particular John the Apostle. Together with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp is recognized as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers. The sole surviving work by Polycarp is the infamous Letter to the Philippians, which Irenaeus of lyons – the one who recorded it -- describes it as “powerful” (Adv. Haer., III.3.4.).

Because the letter is quite lengthy, I will be only sharing chapter 13 to chapter 17. I do hope, as our Apostolic Fathers did, that we “might become his imitators, ‘not thinking of ourselves alone, but also of our neighbours.’ For it is the mark of true and steadfast love, not to wish that oneself may be saved alone, but all the brethren also.”

CHAPTER 13

The preparations for burning him

1 These things then happened with so great speed, quicker than it takes to tell, and the crowd came together immediately, and prepared wood and faggots from the work-shops and baths and the Jews were extremely zealous, as is their custom, in assisting at this. 2 Now when the fire was ready he put off all his clothes, and loosened his girdle and tried also to take off his shoes, though he did not do this before, because each of the faithful was always zealous, which of them might the more quickly touch his flesh. For he had been treated with all respect because of his noble life, even before his martyrdom. 3 Immediately therefore, he was fastened to the instruments which had been prepared for the fire, but when they were going to nail him as well he said: "Leave me thus, for He who gives me power to endure the fire, will grant me to remain in the flames unmoved even without the security you will give by the nails."

CHAPTER 14

His last prayers

1 So they did not nail him, but bound him, and he put his hands behind him and was bound, as a noble ram out of a great flock, for an oblation, a whole burnt offering made ready and acceptable to God; and he looked up to heaven and said: "O Lord God Almighty, Father of thy beloved and blessed Child, Jesus Christ, through Whom we have received full knowledge of thee, the God of Angels and powers, and of all creation, and of the whole family of the righteous, who live before thee! 2 I bless thee, that Thou hast granted me this day and hour, that I may share, among the number of the martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, for the Resurrection to everlasting life, both of soul and body in the immortality of the Holy Spirit. And may I, to-day, be received among them before Thee, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as Thou, the God who lies not and is truth, hast prepared beforehand, and shown forth, and fulfilled. 3 For this reason I also praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee through the everlasting and heavenly high Priest, Jesus Christ, thy beloved Child, through whom be glory to Thee with him and the Holy Spirit, both now and for the ages that are to come, Amen."

CHAPTER 15

The fire is lighted

1 Now when he had uttered his Amen and finished his prayer, the men in charge of the fire lit it, and a great flame blazed up and we, to whom it was given to see, saw a marvel. And we have been preserved to report to others what befell. 2 For the fire made the likeness of a room, like the sail of a vessel filled with wind, and surrounded the body of the martyr as with a wall, and he was within it not as burning flesh, but as bread that is being baked, or as gold and silver being refined in a furnace. And we perceived such a fragrant smell as the scent of incense or other costly spices.

CHAPTER 16

Polycarp's death

1 At length the lawless men, seeing that his body could not be consumed by the fire, commanded an executioner to go up and stab him with a dagger, and when he did this, there came out a dove, and much blood, so that the fire was quenched and all the crowd marvelled that there was such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect. 2 And of the elect was he indeed one, the wonderful martyr, Polycarp, who in our days was an apostolic and prophetic teacher, bishop of the Catholic Church in Smyrna. For every word which he uttered from his mouth both was fulfilled and will be fulfilled.

CHAPTER 17

The treatment of the corpse

1 But the jealous and envious evil one who resists the family of the righteous, when he saw the greatness of his martyrdom, and his blameless career from the beginning, and that he was crowned with the crown of immortality, and had carried off the unspeakable prize, took care that not even his poor body should be taken away by us, though many desired to do so, and to have fellowship with his holy flesh. 2 Therefore he put forward Niketas, the father of Herod, and the brother of Alce, to ask the Governor not to give his body, "Lest," he said, "they leave the crucified one and begin to worship this man." And they said this owing to the suggestions and pressure of the Jews, who also watched when we were going to take it from the fire, for they do not know that we shall not ever be able either to abandon Christ, who suffered for the salvation of those who are being saved in the whole world, the innocent for sinners, or to worship any other. 3 For him we worship as the Son of God, but the martyrs we love as disciples and imitators of the Lord; and rightly, because of their unsurpassable affection toward their own King and Teacher. God grant that we too may be their companions and fellow-disciples.

Apostolic Fathers, Kirsopp Lake, 1912 (Loeb Classical Library)

Jesus Is Mine!

Recently, I have been reading a lot of John Newton’s works and truly it is a blessing to see a man with a burning passion for the glory of God. Here are some quotes from him:

“Jesus is mine! I’m now prepared to meet with what I thought most hard; Yes, let the winds of trouble blow, And comforts melt away like snow; No blasted trees, or failing crops, Can hinder my eternal hopes; Though creatures change, the LORD’S the same, Then let me triumph in his name.” - John Newton

"O wondrous love! to bleed and die, To bear the cross and shame, That guilty sinners, such as I, Might plead Thy gracious Name." - John Newton

“From hence we may observe, that believers who have most knowledge, are not therefore necessarily the most spiritual. Some may and do walk more honorably and more comfortably with two talents, than others with five. He who experimentally knows his own weakness, and depends simply upon the Lord, will surely thrive, though his acquired attainments and abilities may be but small; and he who has the greatest gifts, the clearest judgement, and the most extensive knowledge, if he indulges high thoughts of his advantages, is in imminent danger of mistaking, and falling at every step; for the Lord will suffer none whom he loves to boast in themselves. He will guide the meek with his eyes, and fill the hungry with good things; but the rich he sendeth empty away. It is an invariable maxim in his kingdom, that whosoever exalteth himself, shall be abased; but he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.” – John Newton, More Than A Calvinist.

Delight in God

mon“Delighting in God to the Glory of God for the Good
of All People”

Paul W. Martin (Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church)

I recommend listening to this sermon at least twice.