Asher Sisneros

Hell is a universal fear across all cultures. It is a large incentive for moral conduct in various religions, including Christianity. Even non-religious American atheists who reject the belief in an afterlife acknowledge how terrifying it would be for them if such a place existed. The Christian martyrs during the early persecutions in the Roman Empire believed in an afterlife. It did not cause fear. They were encouraged by the certainty that they were dying for a purpose. The martyrs had a strong assurance in hell’s existence, but it did not scare them. Instead, the doctrine of hell was vitally important and enabled them to stand boldly before a ravenous crowd to condemn the State. 

Polycarp (AD 69-155) has one of the most inspiring stories. He was the bishop of Smyrna and studied under the apostle John. The Christian Church held him in high regard because he had direct contact with an apostle. When the Roman Empire started their persecutions, they attacked him with the hope of purging any memory of Christ. It did not work. He stared death in the eye and spat at Satan’s feet. The devil failed in two ways. First, Polycarp did not waver in his beliefs when threatened with death. It made him bolder. The proconsul said, “Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach Christ!” But the brave Polycarp calmly replied, “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Contrary to the devil’s intentions, he did not deny Christ. However, Satan also failed in trying to kill Christ’s memory. He believed that by persecuting and murdering Christians, the world would forget about Jesus and His followers. Polycarp was likely killed under the reign of Marcus Aurelius, but the story of his bravery did not falter. It spread across the Empire and lives on in history books to this day. 

The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp provides the most detailed account of his martyrdom. His testimony to Herod and the proconsul reveals what he believed regarding hell. He stated it clearly to everyone in the amphitheater. 

“Thou threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a little is extinguished, but are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt.”

Polycarp to the proconsul in chapter eleven of ‘The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp’

The Roman government brought negative sanctions against him for refusing to blaspheme Jesus and worship Caesar. He was burned at the stake. That was the negative sanction. However, he informed the proconsul that the ungodly inherit hell, a far worse punishment. The statement was not accidental. It was a threat. Polycarp was bold enough to intentionally threaten the State. He believed in hell. He believed very strongly in hell, and that gave him added boldness.

Perpetua was another martyr, and she shared Polycarp’s view on hell. She came from a wealthy aristocratic family and converted to Christianity despite her father’s animosity. Her faith was exposed, and she was arrested along with her servant Felicity and a few other Christians. In prison, she displayed immense courage, even longing for her death so she could go to heaven. Her faith was so strong and profound that it impacted Pudis, the assistant prison overseer. He was impressed by her and later converted to Christianity because of her testimony. They ate at a feast with the tribune and prison keeper on the day before their execution. It was a last meal of sorts. Towards the end of the meal, Saturus, one of the Christian prisoners, said, “Friends today, enemies tomorrow. Yet note our faces diligently, that you may recognize them on the day of judgment.” The very next day, standing before a bloodthirsty crowd, Perpetua told Hilarianus, “Thou judgest us, but God will judge thee.” Her colleagues were shredded to pieces by wild animals, but the animals could not hurt her. Finally, the Roman soldiers stabbed her with a sword. She was bold. She was very bold. All her colleagues were strong and faithful to the very end. The civil magistrate did not scare them. Just like Polycarp, they warned the State to be cautious of hell. 

In conclusion, the Christian martyrs believed in hell. Their faith in Christ enabled them to endure torture. They recognized that the temporary pain was nothing compared to hell. That gave them strength. But their confidence in heaven was more important than their fear of hell. The devil attempted to manipulate them into betraying Jesus, but their love for their Savior was too strong. They trusted God, and the devil lost.