Question

questions: please answer the following 1. what was polycarp’s response when he learned the soldiers had come to arrest him? 2. how did polycarp treat the soldiers who came to take him away? 3. what did the pro - consul ask polycarp to do to save his life? 4. how did polycarp respond when asked to “revile christ”? 5. what threats did the pro - consul make against polycarp, and how did polycarp answer each one? 6. what did polycarp say about the “fire that burns for a time”? 7. why did polycarp refuse to be nailed to the stake? 8. how did the author describe the miracle that happened when the fire was lit? 9. what happened when the executioner stabbed polycarp? 10. underline the actions and words polycarp used to preach to those around him and teach them about the faith. 11. summarize what you found: how did polycarp preach to those around him? 12. several times in this piece, polycarp’s prior life and character are described. highlight three instances 13. what do you think is polycarp’s most courageous action, and why? 14. what do you think the author means by saying “there was such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect”? 15. what in this text can you apply to your own life, and how? be specific.

Explanation:

These questions pertain to the historical - religious figure Polycarp. They ask about his actions, responses, and teachings in the face of arrest and persecution, as well as interpretations of related text elements.

Answer:

1. Polycarp's response when he learned the soldiers had come to arrest him would depend on the specific account. In some stories, he may have shown calmness or acceptance.
2. He may have treated the soldiers with kindness or dignity, perhaps offering them hospitality as was his character.
3. The Pro - Consul likely asked Polycarp to renounce his Christian faith, such as by reviling Christ, to save his life.
4. He would have firmly refused to revile Christ, remaining steadfast in his faith.
5. The Pro - Consul may have threatened him with death by fire or other means. Polycarp would have responded with courage, often reaffirming his faith.
6. He may have spoken of the temporary nature of worldly fire compared to the eternal consequences of faith or lack thereof.
7. He refused to be nailed to the stake perhaps because he felt it was not necessary for his martyrdom or as a sign of his trust in God.
8. The author may have described a miraculous event such as the fire not consuming him in the expected way.
9. When the executioner stabbed him, there may have been signs or events described as miraculous, like a dove emerging or a sweet - smelling odor.
10. To answer this, one would need to refer to the specific text and underline the relevant actions and words.
11. He likely preached through his words of faith, his actions in the face of persecution, and his example of steadfastness.
12. Instances could include descriptions of his long - standing faith, his kindness to others, or his leadership in the Christian community.
13. His refusal to renounce Christ in the face of death is often seen as his most courageous action due to the high cost.
14. The author likely means that there is a clear distinction between those who do not believe (unbelievers) and those who are chosen or saved (the elect) in a religious sense.
15. One could apply his courage in the face of adversity, his steadfastness in faith, or his kindness to others to their own life. For example, being brave in difficult situations or remaining true to one's beliefs.