LUX VERITAS

Apocrypha · Chapter 10 of 22

Martyrdom of Polycarp 10

Acts of the Martyrs

Chapter 10 — Polycarp confesses himself a Christian.

2And when the proconsul yet again pressed him, and said, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar," he answered, "Since thou art vainly urgent that, as thou sayest, I should swear by the fortune of Caesar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian.

3And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear them".

4The proconsul replied, "Persuade the people".

5But Polycarp said, "To thee I have thought it right to offer an account of my faith; for we are taught to give all due honour (which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God.

6But as for these, I do not deem them worthy of receiving any account from me".

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About Martyrdom of Polycarp

The eyewitness account of the death of the bishop of Smyrna in the stadium, with the answer that endured: eighty-six years I have served Christ, how can I blaspheme him now?