100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
67. Polycarp (A.D. 70 – 156)
Polycarp was connected directly to the original apostles, and was appointed bishop of Smyrna by them A. His one extant written work, an epistle to the Christians residing in the city of Philippi, is replete with allusions to the New Testament.
Polycarp was arrested by the Romans as a Christian and condemned to death at the age of 86. He was given opportunity to deny his faith in Christ, to which he replied, “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my king who saved me?” Polycarp was burned at the stake. His bravery in the face of such horror inspired his followers to the extent that the governor ordered that his remains not be handed over to them, “else they abandon the Crucified and begin worshipping this one. B”
Polycarp’s connection with the original disciples, and commitment to the truth of the New Testament doctrine, even in the face of terrible execution is an historic fact. How are we to interpret this fact? Surely we must conclude that Polycarp had at least some persuasive reasons to trust the Jesus of the New Testament with his life and, ultimately, his eternal destiny.
67. Polycarp (A.D. 70 – 156) - Notes and References
A. “But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna, whom I also saw in my early youth, for he tarried [on earth] a very long time, and, when a very old man, gloriously and most nobly suffering martyrdom, departed this life, having always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the Church has handed down, and which alone are true. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time…” Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, A.D. 180, “Against Heresies” 3.3.4,
“For this is the manner in which the apostolic churches transmit their registers: as the church of Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed their by John…” Tertullian (AD 160-220), “On Prescription Against Heretics”, XXXII, translation by Rev. Peter Holmes, D.D., F.R.A.S., “Anti-Nicene Fathers”, Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, p. 258
B. This information from “The Martyrdom of Polycarp”, a work composed by the Philippian Christians soon after Polycarp’s death.