Polycarp was a bishop of Roman controled Smyrna (now Izmar, Turkey) in 168 AD. He was the last living link with the twelve apostles, as he had studied under John.

At 86 years of age, he was arrested by the Romans and brought into the arena for trial and execution. The proconsul tried to get Polycarp to deny Jesus Christ; "Swear by the fortune of Caesar. Take the oath and I will release you. Curse Christ!"

The bishop stood firm. "Eighty-six years have I served the Lord Jesus Christ, and He never once wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me? Let them come, for my purpose is unchangeable," replied Polycarp.

He had been threatened with wild beast and burning at the stake.

"You threaten me with a fire which will burn for an hour and then will go out, but you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgement of God reserved for the everlasting torment of the ungodly. But why do you delay? Bring on the beasts, or the fire. or whatever you choose; you shall not move me to deny Christ, my Lord and Savior."

They brought dry wood and piled it in the center of the arena. Polycarp's hands were tied but he wasn't nailed to the stake by his request.

His final prayer he prayed, "O Father, I thank You, that You have called me to this day and hour and have counted my worthly to receive my place among the number of the holy martyrs. Amen."

At that, the officers lit the fire. The flames rose high above his body, but miraculously, he was not burned. Those who watched said, "He was in the midst of the fire, not as burning flesh but as gold and silver refined in a furnace. And we smelled such a sweet aroma as of incense or some other precious spice."

Since the fire did not burn him, the executioner was ordered to stab him with a sword. As soon as he did, so much blood flowed from the wound that it put out the fire.

As a young boy, I heard the stories of martyrdom and was scared that may happen to me. Since I have learned that God's Spirit gives us just what we need at the time of need, whether it's a word of wisdom or knowledge, strength to face a fearful circumstance or an action that comes from out of the blue, unexplainable. Am I still concerned about dying for my faith? I am more fearful I may fail, but my trust is in Him and Him alone.