In this article I share some excerpts from The Martyrdom of Polycarp and the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians that attest the veracity of the Trinity, Holy Relics, the Communion of Saints, and within early Christians and within Polycarp’s personal Theology. And also refutation of Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura and Islam.
This first excerpt proceeds the events of St. Polycarp’s Martyrdom, which in brief include him prophesying about his Martyrdom (Chapter 5) and being sent into a colosseum threatened by beasts to renounce Jesus (Chapter 10).
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 You thanks that You have counted me, worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Your martyrs, in the cup of your 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, according as You, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, have revealed beforehand to me, and now have fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You, 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.
It is very clear that within the mind of Polycarp, he had an understanding and reverence for the Holy Trinity. Especially the latter part of the prayer where he explicitly says I bless and glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
But when the adversary of the race of the righteous, the envious, malicious, and wicked one, perceived the impressive nature of his martyrdom, and [considered] the blameless life he had led from the beginning, and how he was now crowned with the wreath of immortality, having beyond dispute received his reward, he did his utmost that not the least memorial of him should be taken away by us, although many desired to do this, and to become possessors of his holy flesh. For this end he suggested it to Nicetes, the father of Herod and brother of Alce, to go and entreat the governor not to give up his body to be buried,
lest,said he,forsaking Him that was crucified, they begin to worship this one.This he said at the suggestion and urgent persuasion of the Jews, who also watched us, as we sought to take him out of the fire, being ignorant of this, that it is neither possible for us ever to forsake Christ, who suffered for the salvation of such as shall be saved throughout the whole world (the blameless one for sinners ), nor to worship any other. For Him indeed, as being the Son of God, we adore; but the martyrs, as disciples and followers of the Lord, we worthily love on account of their extraordinary affection towards their own King and Master, of whom may we also be made companions and fellow disciples!
This is a truly amazing excerpt from Polycarp, where we see the account of the Martyrdom mention that Polycarps flesh was considered “holy flesh” by eyewitnesses. But also the statement concerning Jesus, “forsaking Him that was crucified, they begin to worship this one“. This statement from Nicetes, father of Herod implies that Christians at the time of Polycarp were worshipping Jesus!
The centurion then, seeing the strife excited by the Jews, placed the body in the midst of the fire, and consumed it. Accordingly, we afterwards took up his bones, as being more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, whither, being gathered together, as opportunity is allowed us, with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already finished their course, and for the exercising and preparation of those yet to walk in their steps.
From this excerpt, one can deduce that the Early Church had respect and honor for holy relics while making the distinction that they are not venerated to the level of Jesus–[it is neither possible for us ever to forsake Christ, who suffered for the salvation of such as shall be saved throughout the whole world (the blameless one for sinners ), nor to worship any other. For Him indeed, as being the Son of God, we adore; but the martyrs, as disciples and followers of the Lord, we worthily love on account of their extraordinary affection towards their own King and Master, of whom may we also be made companions and fellow disciples! (ch. 17 ibid)].
This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent with the Gospel of Christ. For, having through patience overcome the unjust governor, and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all the righteous [in heaven], rejoicingly glorifies God, even the Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church throughout the world.
Within this excerpt, once could deduce an early stage of the Communion of Saints. Since the account writers emphasise Polycarp being with the apostles and all the righteous glorifying God whilst being consciously alive in Heaven. Another important piece of information to deduce from this letter is that the account writers state that Jesus is the “saviour of our Souls”. Which, in context of the Holy Bible–salvific powers related to eternal life are only attributed to Jehovah alone.
[Isa 43:11 KJV] 11 I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.
[Isa 45:21 KJV] 21 Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.
[Hos 13:4 KJV] 4 Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no saviour beside me.
Further emphasizing that Polycarp and Christians within the First Century taught, believed, and prayed to the Holy Trinity.
But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise us up also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness;
not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,1 Peter 3:9 or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching:Judge not, that you be not judged; Matthew 7:1 forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; Luke 6:36 with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you again;Matthew 7:2; Luke 6:38 and once more,Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
It is clear from this excerpt from Polycarp’s letter to the Philippians that he rejects Sola Fide, Martin Luther’s project that someone is only justified based on mental ascent of the Gospel. Insofar as works never being encompassed in faith. This convoluted idea is rejected by the earliest Theologians as evidence in the writings of Polycarp. He definitely does not think that faith stands alone from works, instead he says that those that will partake in the resurrection of the righteous are those that do His will and walk in His commandments. Faith always encompasses us striving to put of sin and live according to Christ’s commands.
If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; (Matthew 6:12-14) for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and
we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself.Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10 Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]. Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offense, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error.
Yet another excerpt where Polycarp calls Jesus God by name when referencing a passage pertaining to the Judgment Seat of Christ [for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ
(ibid)].
For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;1 John 4:3 and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from (Jude 3) the beginning;watching unto prayer,1 Peter 4:7 and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing Godnot to lead us into temptation,Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41 as the Lord has said:The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38
It’s amazing that so early on in the Faith, our Lord refuted many heresies that would arise such as Islam and its rejection in the death and resurrection of our Lord. Which from Polycarps standards, is of the devil. Another interesting piece of information to deduce from this excerpt is Polycarps refutation of Sola Scriptura in the statement “Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the work which has been handed down from us from the beginning“. We know that this is not exclusive to the written text alone because in Chapter 3. Polycarp makes the distinction, using the word letter, in reference to Paul’s written letters [And when absent from you, he [Paul] wrote you a letter (ch.3 ibid)]. Polycarp seems to believe in a genuine Normative Authority that has the ability to bind the consciousness of others. Thus affirming the Apostolic doctrine of the Word of God being transmitted via oral and written means preserved by the Holy Spirit in the visible historical Church.
Conclusion
This is the Apostolic Faith, a deposit that was given to the Apostles by our Lord that has been preserved throughout the Ages. The Religion of Christianity was not started by Man, but started by the God Man. Christ Jesus, in which He appointed men of integrity to guard the faith.
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