Polycarp of Smyrna (155 A D)

February 18th, 2025
by Jon Holaday

Polycarp was in Rome during an intense persecution against christians. Many pagans were ratting them out. The crowds at the arena was actually chanting for Polycarps death. He and a few other christians refused to leave Rome. When the soldiers finally came to his home, Polycarp simply said, "Gods will be done."
Polycarp lived true to being a pastor of the persecuted church of Smyrna. What an honor he faithfully stepped into. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live even when death is before us. Polycarp also became a believer under John.
Polycarp fed these soldiers and asked them for just one hour to pray. The hardened killers granted two hours of prayer. What did he pray? I dont think it was to escape.
As he was marched into the stadium, several Christians heard a voice from heaven saying, "Be strong Polycarp, and act like a man." The Roman proconsul gave him yet another chance to live due to his age if he would just swear allegiance to caesar and say, take away the atheists, which christians were considered of all things. They yelled, say it! Polycarps answer, "Eighty six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" They became more emphatic. He then said, listen carefully, I am a Christian. They threatened him with wild beasts. He said, call them! They then threatened him with fire. He stated, "You threaten me with fire that burns for one hour and is soon quenched, for you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment stored up for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Do what you want."
Long story short, he willingly went up to the wood to burn, no nails, and as the fire was lite, it arched around him. The Romans then stabbed him and it is recorded his blood put out the flames. He died of stabbing. What a Christian Polycarp was.