Many Christians, but particularly American Protestants, have an extremely limited understanding of church history. They know about Paul, of course, and Martin Luther, and then not much of anything until they get to dear old pastor Bergdahl who confirmed them. I got to learn about a bunch of people including Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, whose martyrdom is remembered today when I was 15 and teaching about them to a class of fifth-graders in Sunday School.

Polycarp (69-155) was an early leader of the Christian Church. We know little beyond names of a few Christians of his time, but Polycarp is different. We have a letter written to him by another bishop, Ignatius of Antioch, a letter he wrote to the church at Philippi, an account of his martyrdom, and several mentions of him in the writings of one of his followers, Irenaeus.

According to the sources, Polycarp had known some of the apostles, especially John, as well as other people who had known Jesus. Most scholars believe he became bishop of Smyrna (modern day Izmir on the west coast of Turkey) a few years before 117. In old age Polycarp was arrested for being a Christian and brought before the Roman proconsul who tried to persuade him to reject his faith and swear by the fortune of Caesar. Polycarp 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.

That unshakeable faithfulness gives us something to think about when we face adversity.

Read Matthew 10:16-18 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne