Who was Polycarp?

by Russ Schmidt; 3/2/2025

Polycarp was an early Church father who was mentored by the apostle John after he was released from the Island of Patmos. Eventually, John ordained him Bishop of the Church at Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey today). We know this through the writings of early Church fathers, Irenaeus, Tertillian, and Eusebius.

What Polycarp was most noted for was his staunch stance on the observance of the Passover on Nisan 14, in line with the biblical Passover established by God in Leviticus 23. Because it was on this day that Christ was crucified, and was the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind.  

As a direct disciple of John, and the Bishop of the Church at Smyrna, Polycarp was highly regarded by the eastern churches of Asia Minor (Turkey today), and was looked upon for his guidance in following Apostolic tradition.

The western churches led by Bishop Anicetus of Rome, oversaw the churches from Greece to Italy. The western churches did not observe the Passover, as did Polycarp, but observed, what they viewed as the Christian Feast that was the resurrection day of Jesus, which later became known as Easter.

Although no one would deny the resurrection is something to observe and celebrate, Polycarp was adamant that the more important day was the Passover; the day Christ was crucified and said, “It is finished!.” And one the apostles continued to observe following Christ’s ascension, as he himself witnessed with the apostle John in his latter years, and also many other disciples who were eyewitnesses of Jesus when He walked the earth.

Ultimately, Polycarp traveled to Rome to meet with Bishop Anicetus to discuss several differences between the eastern and western churches. However, the main topic that Polycarp wanted to address was that of the Passover, on the 14th of Nisan, and that it was still an important observance for Christians because it was the day Christ was crucified. 

But after the meeting of both trying to convince the other of their stance on the two days, they both agreed to disagree. And Polycarp Left Rome unsuccessful in trying to convince the Roman Church of the importance of the Passover. However, Polycarp’s visit wasn’t a total loss, there were other topics of disagreement discussed that both came to agreement on.  

However, the controversies of both the Passover and Sabbath observance continued to be a divisive issue between the Western Roman Church and the eastern churches Polycarp administered. It was said that Ancicetus allowed Polycarp and the eastern churches to continue their tradition of observing the Passover, while the western churches would continue to observe the resurrection day or Easter.

As Roman persecution began to grow against Christianity, the message of the Gospel became more and more dangerous to proclaim. Within two years of Polycarp’s meeting with Bishop Anicetus, Roman authorities began to search for Polycarp because of his preaching against Roman gods.  

Ultimately, Roman authorities arrested Polycarp. After his arrest in Smyrna, Polycarp was taken into a public venue where he would be put to death. However, Polycarp was given an ultimatum, to renounce his beliefs in Christ and be set free, or hold on to his beliefs and die by being burned at the stake. Polycarp responded with the following…

“Eightyscore and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?” 

We get a hint of why Polycarp was sort after by the Roman authorities in a letter written by Jerome, who was a fourth century priest:

“Polycarp, disciple of the apostle John and by him ordained bishop of Smyrna, was chief of all Asia, where he saw and had as teachers some of the apostles and of those who had seen the Lord. He, on account of certain questions concerning the day of the Passover, went to Rome in the time of the emperor Antoninus Pius while Anicetus ruled the church in that city. There he led back to the faith many of the believers who had been deceived through the persuasion of Marcion and Valentinus.”

When Polycarp went to Rome to visit Bishop Anicetus and speak with him about some differences between the eastern churches of Polycarp and the western churches overseen by Anicetus, Polycarp made it a point to preach the Gospel.

As we read here from Jerome, Polycarp was able to lead some of the brethren who had been led astray by the false teachings of Marcion and Valentinus. No doubt Polycarp more than likely also preached to Gentile Romans as well. If so, it could have been an impetus leading the Roman authorities to seek him out, which they eventually did.

The complete story of Polycarp’s martyrdom can be found by clicking on The Letter of the Smyrnaeans of Polycarp’s Martyrdom.

There is only one writing from Polycarp that exists today, that is his Letter to the Philippians. Although Polycarp does not mention either the Sabbath or the holy days in this letter, we can certainly conclude from the writings of Irenaeus and others, who regarded Polycarp as a link to the Apostolic past, that Polycarp and the eastern churches continued, not only to observe the Passover as Christ’s crucifixion being the ultimate sacrifice, but also continued to observe the traditional seventh-day Sabbath.

Following is a quote from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, regarding Polycarp:

“For, while I was yet a boy, I saw you in Lower Asia with Polycarp, distinguishing yourself in the royal court, and endeavoring to gain his approbation. For I have a more vivid recollection of what occurred at that time than of recent events (inasmuch as the experiences of childhood, keeping pace with the growth of the soul, become incorporated with it); so that I can even describe the place where the blessed Polycarp used to sit and discourse — his going out, too, and his coming in — his general mode of life and personal appearance, together with the discourses which he delivered to the people; also how he would speak of his familiar intercourse with John, and with the rest of those who had seen the Lord; and how he would call their words to remembrance. Whatsoever things he had heard from them respecting the Lord, both with regard to His miracles and His teaching, Polycarp having thus received [information] from the eye-witnesses of the Word of life, would recount them all in harmony with the Scriptures.”

I highlighted in bold the last part because it is important to understand that it is not hearsay to attribute Polycarp to his firsthand relationship with John the apostle and others who had seen the Christ and were eyewitnesses to His miracles and teachings.

This is important because we can confirm that Polycarp did continue to observe the Sabbath along with the eastern churches on into the second century. Since Polycarp followed what he learned from the apostles, then it is more evidence that the Sabbath, on the seventh day of the week, was regularly observed by the apostles.

Following is an excerpt from Irenaeus regarding Polycarp’s meeting with Bishop Anicetus:

“And when the blessed Polycarp was sojourning in Rome in the time of Anicetus, although a slight controversy had arisen among them as to certain other points, they were at once well inclined towards each other [with regard to the matter in hand], not willing that any quarrel should arise between them upon this head. For neither could Anicetus persuade Polycarp to forego the observance [in his own way], inasmuch as these things had been always [so] observed by John the disciple of our Lord, and by other apostles with whom he had been conversant; nor, on the other hand, could Polycarp succeed in persuading Anicetus to keep [the observance in his way], for he maintained that he was bound to adhere to the usage of the presbyters who preceded him. And in this state of affairs they held fellowship with each other; and Anicetus conceded to Polycarp in the Church the celebration of the Eucharist, by way of showing him respect; so that they parted in peace one from the other, maintaining peace with the whole Church, both those who did observe [this custom] and those who did not.”  

Once again, I highlighted in bold where Irenaeus states that it was John and other apostles custom to observe the Passover. We could assume if they were observing the Passover and the Sabbath, that they were observing the remaining holy days, including, of course, Pentecost, which is the Hebrew holy day of Feast of Weeks found in Leviticus 23.

In another letter written by Irenaeus, he once again, confirms that Polycarp observed everything he learned from the apostles:

“But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna, whom I also saw in my early youth, for he tarried [on earth] a very long time, and, when a very old man, gloriously and most nobly suffering martyrdom, departed this life, having always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the Church has handed down, and which alone are true. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time.”

I will end with two final quotes from Excerpts from the Life of Polycarp that show that the Asiatic churches observed the traditional Sabbath:

“And on the sabbath, when prayer had been made long time on bended knee, he [Polycarp], as was his custom, got up to read; and every eye was fixed upon him.”

We also read in Acts:17:2 that it was the apostle Paul’s custom to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

“After this the others also, having made the proper exhortations and appeals on the Sabbath and on the Lord's Day, and offerings and eucharists, rejoicing and partaking of food, returned each to his own home rejoicing greatly at having communicated with Polycarp, and glorifying Christ Jesus the Lord for it, to whom is the glory for ever. Amen.”

The above quote mentions the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day, which is what the Sunday worshipers called Sunday in the early Church. There were many churches that worshiped the Lord on both the Sabbath and Sunday in order to be sure they were doing right by God.

I’ll end with this. Although I am a staunch supporter of continuing to observe the Sabbath and the biblical holy days, I do so not out of a legalistic doctrine. I do agree with those who say that the Sabbath and holy days were a foreshadow of the coming Messiah, and they were fulfilled with the advent of the Christ.

However, there are still three holy days that have yet to be fulfilled in the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles. Since Jesus fulfilled the first four holy days in His first coming, He will fulfill the last three with His second coming.

With that said, I do believe it is a responsibility of the Church, not to disregard these days, but to teach them to the brethren as far as what these days represent and how intricate God’s plan has been right from the beginning, and how these days are a type of blueprint to accomplish God’s plan. 

By teaching the significance to these days, not only will they begin to understand why God established them, but will help the brethren understand how the last days will unfold. Once the brethren begin to understand their significance, they will also see how the writers of the epistles of the New Testament utilized this understanding through some of the terminology of the their writings.  

For instance, in 1 Corinthians 15:52, when Paul writes, “...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound…” Paul is eluding to the Feast of Trumpets, as he clearly sees the relationship between the plan of God and the last days when Christ comes to rapture His Church from the world prior to the Great Tribulation.  

So, in conclusion, I am in no way saying that this is a salvation issue because now our focus is directly on Jesus, and of course, the Holy Spirit who should be residing in each one of us. But the last point I want to make is that we follow what the writer of Hebrews tells us not to neglect, and that is the assembling together on a regular basis. He didn’t give a specific day, but that could be because it wasn’t necessary for him to mention the Sabbath, since it was the traditional day. Or maybe the writer was indicating that whether it is the Sabbath or Sunday, just be sure you are meeting.

It was clear that he wrote this because some began to neglect meeting together. It’s just my speculation, but it may be similar to what the problem is today. Because the Church has become lenient on attendance, Sunday worship has become optional to a lot of Christians. Under the Old Covenant it was the law to attend synagogue on the Sabbath. It was considered sinful to not attend the command of God.

It was so important to God that it was established as the Fourth Commandment. We Christians today preach the Ten Commandments, but pick and choose the ones we want to observe. Clearly the Fourth Commandment has fallen out of favor, just as the Sabbath has for Christians.  

We must always remember, God searches the heart, and knows your heart better than you do. If you have a Church you attend on Sunday, then attend that Church, and don’t neglect the assembling together, as some have become accustomed to.

However, if you do feel led to observe the true Sabbath, seek out a Church that does. It may be difficult to find in many areas because we’ve been so conditioned with Sunday observance. Some churches that do are the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-Day Adventists. I wouldn’t recommend either one of these because they rely too much on one persons interpretation of scripture.

But that goes for even Sunday observing churches. Any Church that places a high level of significance on one persons interpretation of the Bible, and revolves all their doctrine around that one person should be taken with a grain of salt. Of course, the best route is to go before God in prayer and let the Holy Spirit lead you!

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