Message: The Witness of Polycarp
Time: Matthew, one of the 12 apostles, is credited with this book, despite the fact that he did not sign it. Dating it's writing is difficult, but most agree it to be AD 60-65 since it does not mention the destruction of the temple in AD 70. A Jew, he includes 50 direct citations and many other indirect citations from the Old Testament.
What the Lord is Saying:
Hebrews chapter 12 begins with the statement -- Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us...run with endurance. In the previous chapter was the faith testimony given of many heroes of faith. We always need to remember the faith of those that have preceded us. They endured and so we can endure. They pressed on in their faith and so we can. The church continues. The church I am attending now began in 1953 and there are two individuals that are charter members and just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They have pressed on. And I can look at their faithfulness and press on as well.
Polycarp was a 2nd century bishop of Smyrna (western coast of modern-day Turkey) (AD 69-155). He had been a disciple of the Apostle John. Up to the point of his death, the Romans had previously used the means of using wild beasts to kill Christians but now the method was to burn people alive. All that was needed to be receive the death sentence was to admit that they were a Christian. Some thought at this time they should seek martyrdom as it provided assurance of salvation, perhaps to receive a greater award, but Polycarp refuted this thinking.
His writings help to substantiate the Apostle Paul's writings. He mentored Irenaeus who was involved in canonizing scripture.
Summary: Polycarp is most famous for his death, being burned alive simply because he confessed Jesus as Lord.
Promise: Our willingness to die for Christ proves we have faith, but seeking out death will avail us nothing.
Prayer: O God, thank you for the faithfulness of your people from the past. It is good for me to remember and appreciate those that have walked before me and been faithful to You. Thank you for Polycarp and raising him up to preach your good news and to testify of you no matter the cost. Help me Lord to walk in a similar manner. Give me the power and strength to never deny you. I know I have and you have forgiven me, but help my voice count in future days.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God.
Christ's Body
The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see.
Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed
Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.
What the Church Does and Believes
Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.
Church Leadership Offices
Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament.
Purpose of the Church
Our Arena for Growth - It is being at church, present, that we are to be equipped, build one another up, in order to grow in maturity. Communion in Gifts and Graces - As believers joining in Christ’s sufferings we have community, exercising our spiritual gifts, in order to grow up the Body of Christ. Receiving and Giving God's Love - We come together because of His sufferings, but once we are together, we are to be about exercising our gifts to build up and grow one another, and it is done with love. The Enduring and Conquering Church - It is true we are discouraged at times by what is happening in society, but the church continues and Christ's promise guarantees that it will conquer to the end.
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