AD 70 – 110
Who is Polycarp?
(69 – 155 AD)
“Both Irenaeus and Tertullian say that Polycarp had been a disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples. In On Illustrious Men, Jerome writes that Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle and that John had ordained him as a bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch”.
Group reading of – Polycarp’s letter to the Philippians
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0136.htm
- Audience relevance – why did he write? He explains in part 3, “These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not because I take anything upon myself, but because you have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom 2 Peter 3:15 of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, “is the mother of us all.”
- What we are reading is an exhortation based on Apostolic doctrine.
- Interesting, humble citation from Polycarp, “For I am confident that you are well versed in the Scriptures, and nothing is hid from you, but to me this is not granted”. (12:1)
- The letter lacks exegetical details, rather, Polycarp is just quoting NT letters to exhort the Philippians (based upon what they already know from the Apostle Paul).
- Other areas of notation from the writing – 2:9-10; 5:27-29; 6:35; 7:1; 8:1; 9:45-50; 11:1
What does or how does this historical document inform us about the Church between the years 70-110?
- We learn of Gentiles leading Gentile regions of the Church
- Persecution & martyrdom were a reality
- Just as there was “heresy” in the Apostolic church, “heresy” continues in the Christian community.
- One of our study participants marked out the fact that the Gentile Christians living post AD-70 didn’t see much change in their world, especially considering the persecution. This could very well have been a precursor to the development of Futurism in the Gentile-based/led assemblies.
- After seeing some historical hiccups with the dating of John the Apostle, Polycarp, and Ignatius, we decided on the simple outline of:
– Polycarp existed
– Polycarp was a Christian, bishop of Smyrna
– Polycarp wrote a letter (a few letters) to the Philippians
– Polycarp was martyred at an old age
Ignatius
(35 – 108, or just before 68?)
Ignatius wrote to Polycarp
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0110.htm
- “Speak to every man separately, as God enables you”
- “Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines, 1 Timothy 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:3 fill you with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially, we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us. Be ever becoming more zealous than what you are. Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes; impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes.”
- “Flee evil arts; but all the more discourse in public regarding them” (cf. in the world, not of the world)
- “If anyone can continue in a state of purity…” (cf. 1 Cor. 7?)
- “…with approval of the bishop” (marriages, church structure and leadership)
- “…assemble a very solemn council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of God, and to bestow on his this honor that he may go…” (pastor/missionary identity in early church)
- Our study noted that this was a letter of encouragement helping build up Polycarp and the local church (cf. 1 Cor. 14:26).
Resources:
- Human Fascination with Evil blog (historical outline)
https://mianogonewild.wordpress.com/2017/04/28/human-fascination-with-evil/
- Replacing the Resurrection article
https://www.academia.edu/23671162/_Replacing_the_Resurrection_Considering_the_Confusion_and_Finding_Clarity_in_Scripture_