~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: This past Sunday, the Pastor's sermon was on the book of John. We are a Bible Church and believe in preaching strictly out of the Bible. This pastor kept making reference to someone by the name of Polly Carp. According to the pastor, this person had something to do with the Book of John, and this person's writings were somewhere around the time of 325 A.D. I have never heard of anything like this and I would like to find out if anyone has ever heard of, or knows who this person is, and if he is related to the Bible in anyway. This is really important to us, as I said we are firm believers in the word of the Bible. If you can help us it would be greatly appreciated.Answer: It is great to see that you listen carefully to your pastor's sermons. I am sure he wishes others did as well.
He must have been referring to Polycarp, also know as Saint Polycarp. This would not be surprising in reference to the Apostle John. Polycarp was one of the early church leaders immediately after the Apostles. He was a disciple of the Apostle John. It is thought that he lived from 69 A.D. to 155 A.D. He is a witness to the days of the apostles; a living link between the Apostles and the Second century church. He became bishop of the church in Smyrna, one of the churches mentioned by John in the book of Revelation. A letter from the church of Smyrna gives an account of his trial and death. This is the oldest know narrative of a Christian martyr.
His most famous statement was made when he was on trial before the proconsul. He directed Polycarp to curse Christ. Polycarp replied, "For 86 years I have been serving Him, and He has done no wrong to me. How then dare I blaspheme my King who has saved me?"
Take time to know Polycarp better. Get a church history book at your library and look for reference to him in the index. Ask you pastor to tell you more about him.
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