May 2, 2007

  • Quote from The History of the Christian Church

    "When the blessed Polycarp sojourned at Rome in the days of Anicetus, and they had some little difference of opinion likewise with regard to other points, they forthwith came to a peaceable understanding on this head [the observance of Easter], having no love for mutual disputes.  For neithe could Anicetus persuade Polycarp not to observe, inasmuch as he [Polycarp] had always observed with John, the disciple of our Lord, and the other apostles, with whom he had associated; nor did Polycarp persuade Anicetus to observe, who said that he was bound to maintain the custom of the presbyters (=bishops) before him.  These things being so, they communed together; and in the church Anicetus yielded to Polycarp, out of respect no doubt, the celebration of the eucharist, and they separated from each other in peace, all the church being at peace, both those that observed and those that did not observe (the fourteenth of Nisan), maintaining peace."

    Quote from the Second Volume of Phillip Schaff's The History of the Christian Church on page 213.  This quote is talking about a dispute that two areas of the Church were having over the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection.  Polycarp of the Asiatic Church celebrated this festive season of the Church one way and Anicetus of the Roman Church celebrated another way.  The point I want to make is that even though they had their differences they were able to maintain the peace and continue serving the Lord together.  Hope this encourages all of us to maintain peace between brothers and sisters in Christ.  God Bless!