POLYCARP
Polycarp (AD 69-155) was a disciple of John and other apostles, in contact with many eyewitnesses of Christ, and an early leader of the Christian church.[1] In his letter to the church at Philippi, Polycarp mentions very little concerning spiritual warfare, but does point to the fact that “whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil.”[2] He additionally affirms that “whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist” and that “whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan.”[3] Such powerful, bold statements do not reinforce any specific encounter approaches. Polycarp does reveal that there is significance in understanding that all humanity is allied with either Christ or the devil.
[1]A. Cleveland Coxe, “Introductory Note to the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians” (ANF 1:31), accessed December 30, 2013, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.iv.i.html.
[2]Polycarp, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Ephesians (ANF 7:33), accessed December 30, 2013, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.iv.ii.html.
[3]Ibid.