Here’s a quick intro to a Christian influencer from way back whose story will inspire you

4 min read

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." 
-Jesus, John 15:5

If you find it challenging to keep your history of the early church straight, you’re not alone. Most of us have this problem. It seems that no matter how often we hear the names and the dates, they just don’t stick.

Maybe one of the things that makes it so difficult to remember is that the names of some of the key figures can be difficult to pronounce (i.e., Clement, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Athanasius, Augustine). All these made huge contributions to the early growth and spread of Christianity, but let’s face it, their names don’t exactly roll off your tongue.

Poly who?

Here’s another peculiar name to add to the list of early church mega-influencers. But don’t worry, you may be able to remember this name after you hear the backstory.

The name? Polycarp. It sounds like a fish, but actually it is a Greek name that means fruitful. The reason we mention it is because in this case, the name fits the person perfectly.

You see, Polycarp was a church leader in Rome in the late first century, early second century. He is what you might call a second generation Christian, as he was taught and discipled directly by one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, the Apostle John. Polycarp served as a pastor in a place called Smyrna and was known for his brave defense of Scripture.

But that’s not all.

Polycarp was also a martyr. That is, he was killed for his faith. Polycarp lived in a time and place where Christians were persecuted if they would not renounce their faith in Jesus and pledge exclusive loyalty to the Roman Emperor by saying “Caesar is Lord.” When Polycarp refused, he was burned alive at the stake.

According to eyewitness accounts, at the ripe age of 86, Polycarp was arrested in his house. Undaunted, he asked his captors for permission to pray before they took him. They agreed. Polycarp proceeded to pray aloud for two hours. All who heard him were touched by his passion and sincerity.

Nevertheless, Polycarp was led to his death. In his final moments he was given another opportunity to recant his faith in Christ. He would not. Instead, he said,

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

As the flames engulfed him, with his final breath, Polycarp looked to heaven and offered one last prayer and public profession of faith.

Then he died.

Not only was Polycarp spiritually fruitful during his life of service to the Lord. He was fruitful right up to the finish line.

Jesus on How to Bear Much Fruit

Jesus once explained that a relationship with him is like the relationship between a vine and a branch in a vineyard. It is a union that brings forth fruit. That’s the goal. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. He, the Vine, sources the fruit; we, the branches, simply bear the fruit.

But what does this mean on a practical level? At a minimum, it means the more we center our daily lives around Jesus, the more spiritually fruitful we will be. The more we think of him, the more we open our hearts to him, the more we anchor our lives in his Word, the more the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) will be produced in us.

And by all accounts, the more fruit of the Spirit, the better. The fruit of the Spirit adds sweetness to life and brings glory to God. As Jesus said,

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

-Jesus, John 15:8

Thankfully, you don’t have to have perfect conditions for the fruit of the Spirit to grow. From Polycarp’s story, we learn that one can be fruitful even in the harshest of circumstances. In fact, the fruit of the Spirit may grow best in the soil of adversity.

“The fruit of the Spirit adds sweetness to life and brings glory to God.”

Are you facing hardship today? Dealing with difficult circumstances? If so, be encouraged. Like Polycarp, you can be fruitful in any situation.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.