For every house is builded by some man;
but He that built
all things is God.
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house,
as a
servant, for a testimony of those things
which were to be spoken after; but
Christ
as a Son over His own house;
whose house are we, if we hold fast the
confidence and the rejoicing
of the hope firm unto the end.
Hebrews 3:4-6
As Polycarp
trusted that the Christians, in this letter to the Philippians, trusted that
they have become “well versed in the Sacred Scriptures,” I too trust that you
have and are becoming “well versed in the Sacred Scriptures.” Polycarp reminds
us that we have yet to have all the hidden things of God revealed to us but we
have what we need to live for Him in this life. It is easy to get “mad,” to be
angry at someone that does not agree with us, or will not listen to good
Scriptural advice. It is easy to get angry and harder to find peace and not be
angry. In the days of Polycarp the Christians were often under the throes of
death. Today we may not have that confronted us but we do have other things
that are attempting to destroy our faith. We are, that is, as Authentic
Christians to pray for one another, to be long-suffering, to have forbearance,
gentleness and meekness, and more, purity. How do we do this? By remembering
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His sufferings, and the fact that He rose
from the dead and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for all who
put their faith in Him.
“For I trust that ye are well
versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me
this privilege is not yet granted (This passage is very obscure. Some render it
as follows: “But at present it is not granted unto me to practise that which is
written, Be ye angry,” etc.) It is declared then in these Scriptures,
“Be ye angry, and sin not,” (Ps. iv. 5.) and,
“Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Eph. iv. 26.) Happy is he who remembers
(Some read, “believes.”) this, which I believe to be the case with you.
But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself,
who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith
and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering,
forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His
saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe
in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.” (Gal. i. 1.)
Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings,
(Comp. 1 Tim. ii. 2.)
and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, (Matt. v. 44.) and for the enemies of the cross, that your
fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.”
Now, in the
days of Polycarp the Old Testament was the Scriptures, but more, the letters
that were written to the Churches by such as Paul, Peter, Jude, and the
apostles were sent around to the Churches to be read in the Church. Today we
have these letters all bound up in a book: The Bible.
“Both you and Ignatius (Comp. Ep. of Ignatius to Polycarp, chap. viii.) wrote
to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter (Or, “letters.”) with him; which request I will attend
to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other
acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius
written by him (Reference is here made to the two letters
of Ignatius, one to Polycarp himself, and the other to the church at Smyrna.) to
us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to
you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may
be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that
tend to edification in our Lord. Any (Henceforth, to the
end, we have only the Latin version.) more certain information you may
have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were (The Latin version reads “are,” which has been corrected as
above.) with him, have the goodness to make known
(Polycarp was aware of the death of Ignatius (chap. ix.), but was as yet
apparently ignorant of the circumstances attending it.) [Who can fail to be
touched by these affectionate yet entirely calm expressions as to his martyred
friend and brother? Martyrdom was the habitual end of Christ’s soldiers, and
Polycarp expected his own; hence his restrained and temperate words of
interest.]”
I now come
to the end about Polycarp and I pray and hope that you have been encouraged by
him to consider your faith and to make any necessary changes so that your faith
conforms to what God requires of faithful men and women. We must remember that
we, all who remain in Authentic Christian Faith are the temple of God, the
house of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“These things I have written to you
by Crescens, whom up to the present (Some read, “in this
present Epistle.”) time I have recommended unto you, and do now
recommend. For he has acted blamelessly among us, and I believe also among you.
Moreover, ye will hold his sister in esteem when she comes to you. Be ye safe
in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all. (Others
read, “and in favour with all yours.”)”
Polycarp died
at the age of 80 and when given to chance, due to his age, to deny Jesus Christ
and live, he stated: ‘Jesus never forsake him all these years, so why would I
forsake Him now? Is this also of you?
How precious also are Thy thoughts unto
me,
O God! How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more
in number
Than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.
Psalm 139:17-18
We have faithful witness to show us the
way
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