For almost 250 years, Christians endured the brutality of Roman persecution. During that time, many followers of The Way suffered unspeakable deaths at the hands of their captors. Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, was one of many arrested for being a Christian and killed for his faith.
The Bishop Of Smyrna
Polycarp was killed sometime between the years 155- 168 CE. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp [1], he was betrayed by members of his own household, captured, and taken to the colosseum, where the local proconsul [2] attempted to coax him into offering sacrifices to Caesar.
So the proconsul said to Polycarp, ‘Take the oath. I will let you go. Just revile Christ.’ Polycarp answered, ‘For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?’”
The proconsul proceeded to threaten the elderly man with lions and fire. In response to these torments, Polycarp replied.
“You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour at most; you must not know about the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. Why are you wasting time? Kill me in whatever way you see fit.”
Realizing he could not be persuaded, the proconsul sentenced Polycarp to death by fire. The soldiers tied him to a stake and covered him in oil. But, just before the executioner ignited his funeral pyre, Polycarp uttered his last words as a prayer, praising God.
Polycarp’s Last Words
“O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before you, I give thanks that You have counted me, worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption imparted by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before You as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, just as You, the ever-truthful God, hast fore-ordained, by reveling it beforehand to me, and now fulfilling. Because of this I also praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, with whom, to You, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.”
The Death Of Polycarp
As soon as these words escaped his lips, the executioner lit the fuel beneath his feet. However, according to the “Martyrdom of Polycarp,” the flames did not consume him. Instead, they surrounded his body and carefully protected him like the walls of a city. However, the guards were determined to kill him; and so one was commanded to stab him with a knife, bringing an end to his long life.
Polycarp’s final words are a great example of what it means to live your life in view of eternity and under the sovereignty of God. You see, his martyrdom was not accidental or unexpected; days before he was captured, God sent him a dream foretelling the time and manner of the death he would face.
I don’t know about you, but if God told me my time was almost up, my reaction would be more like Hezekiah, who became depressed and prayed for more time.
“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”
Isaiah 38:1-3
Yet, with his final words, Polycarp praised the God who did not save him from the executioner’s blade. This kind of response is only possible when you have embraced the reality that we are only strangers in this world and the truth that our lives are the property of our God.
Sources
- Biography of Polycarp
- The Martyrdom of Polycarp: earlychristianwritings.com [1]
- “Proconsul”: Definition by Britannica [2]
Thank you for this post. I have certainly heard of Polycarp and so many of the other early Christian “fathers”, but I was not aware of what you have written. I’ve spent more time studying the scriptures than these men, so my knowledge of them is rather piecemeal. His last words reminds me of another man who was put to death by fire for his belief in Jesus Christ and his salvation. These are his words as recorded in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah chapter 17
:
13 And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death.
14 And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them, saying:
15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God.
16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities.
17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts.
18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire.
19 Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul.
20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.
Hey, thanks for commenting. I’m acutely writing an article now about the belief John is still alive today. One of your posts was very helpful for my research into the topic!
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