Theological Term of the Week: Polycarp of Smyrna
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 3:30AM 
Polycarp of Smyrna
“[B]ishop of the church of Smyrna in Asia Minor and one of the most famous martyrs of the 2nd Century.”1 He was also an apostolic father. He lived from 70 to 160 AD.
- From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham, page 59:
[Polycarp’s] Letter to the church in Philippi is, perhaps, the best document from the age of the apostolic fathers for giving us a feeling of what typical, mainstream Christianity was like in this period. Polycarp’s letter was mostly made up of quotations from the New Testament. He warned the Philippians against departing from apostolic doctrine, and especially against the heresy of Docetism. He also exhorted them to live upright Christian lives, admonishing them against the sin of greed and urged on them the duty of submitting to their presbyters.
Learn more:
- Got Questions: Who was Polycarp?
- EarlyChurch.org: Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna
- Christian History: Polycarp
- 5 Minutes in Church History: Two Disciples of John: Polycarp
- Christian History Institute: Polycarp’s Martyrdom
Related terms:
1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.
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