Christian Journal | – Polycarp and His Martyrdom


The early church was hated by the society and government of the Roman Empire for various reasons, such as the refusal of Christians to sacrifice to the gods. The Empire went through many phases of demanding that the Christians sacrifice — which meant denying their faith — or be killed. The earliest attacks claimed the lives of many of the apostles.

This text is the story, from around 160 AD, of the martyrdom of Polycarp, the Bishop of the church in Smyrna, a city in Asia Minor (modern Izmir in Turkey) devoted to Roman worship. The account is in the form of a letter from eye-witnesses to other churches in the area. It is the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the New Testament.

Polycarp was an old man, at least 86,, and probably the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of the Apostle John. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. One interesting feature of this letter is that the writer is very conscious of how Polycarp’s death followed the pattern of Christ’s. As we read it, look for parallels between this story and the Easter story in the gospels.

Google is demonetizing our videos, please consider donating to the ministry or sign up for a subscription on [support us] so that we can continue to do the work of the Kingdom

For prayer please text us at (973)-512-2326

Join the most active Christian Social Media Network [support us]

Facebook link: [support us]

Web address: [support us]

About The Author

Christian Journal Media Christian Journal Media. Ignite your passion for the truth with real Christian news. Broadcasts that cover global and local events from a Christian perspective that impact you, your life, and your soul. In-depth analysis and podcasting of the time period we are living in, brought to you by The Christian Journal. Check us out: https://christianjournal.net Registration: https://christianjournal.net/your-profile/register/ Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/cjournal2127 Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjournal2127 Contact: community@christianjournal.net

Comment (2)

  1. Well look at this. Doesn't bother you that he was Bishop in the Catholic Church, that his bones were immediately venerated, that his contemporary martyr St. Ignatius of Antioch disciple of John like him preached on the Eucharist and on the primacy of Rome. Doesn't bother you that the successor of St. Polycarp, St. Irenaeus, wrote in Against Heresies that the the church of Rome was the unitive principle of the Catholic Church and it was because of its superior apostolic origin that all churches had to agree with it.

    You see you're just picking and choosing. LGBT do the same, you just do it a little less but you still do it.
    To delve into Church History is to cease to be Protestant, unless you enjoy lying to yourself.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT