By COGwriter
Are you familiar with Pionius of the third century?
Can he or his teaching help modern Christians better understand early Christianity or anything else?
In Pionius' time, the Roman emperor Decius persecuted Chrisians.This persecution began when Decius issued an empire-wide order requiring citizens to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods and for the welfare of the emperor. People had to perform the sacrifice before officials and receive proof (a certificate, called a libellus). Christians who refused could face imprisonment, torture, or death. Pionius was killed during that persecution (While there has been some older discussion because Eusebius of Caesarea seemed to place Pionius earlier, under Marcus Aurelius, most modern scholars—and the text of the Passio Pionii itself (referred to in English as the The Martyrdom of Pionius)—place his martyrdom in the Decian persecution.)
Pionius looks to have been a Quartodeciman Christian leader in Smyrna of Asia Minor.
There is not a lot of information on Pionius. He may have written part of the Life of Polycarp and his own martyrdom was written about by others. From these we can get some idea of his beliefs.
While he is considered to be a saint by the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as the Continuing Church of God, the documented views he did have are inconsistent with those now held by the Greco-Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Much about we have directly about him comes from a document known as The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions.
Here is how that starts out:
1. The Apostle urges us to share in the remembrances of the saints, fully aware that to call to mind those who have passed their lives in the faith wisely with all their hearts gives strength to those who are striving to imitate the better things. Indeed, more fitting is it that we should remember the martyr Pionius seeing that this apostolic man, being one of us, kept many from straying while he dwelt in the world, and when he was finally called to the Lord and bore witness, he left us this writing for our instruction that we might have it even to this day as a memorial of his teaching. (Text from H. Musurillo, The Acts of the Christian Martyrs (Oxford, 1972), 137-167)
Pionius was from Smyrna.
Much of what we know about those in the Smyrna Church era was written by those who were opposed to them. And we know that the Spring Holy Days were kept by them because of various accounts. The Fall Holy Days were kept by them, because this was specifically preached against during the time of Smyrna's predominance (cf. John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople and Antisemite).
The writing know as the Martyrdom of Polycarp teaches that Polycarp of Smyrna was martyred on the Day of the Great Sabbath.
Certain scholars, like Adolphus Hilgenfeld have concluded that the 'Great Sabbath' Polycarp was killed was on the First Day of Unleavened Bread:
Hilgenfeld ... adopts the day given by the Paschale Chronicle, vii Kal. April. ..., so that Polycarp must have suffered on the 15th Nisan, i.e. on the First Day of Unleavened Bread. (Lightfoot JB. S. Ignatius. S. Polycarp: Revised Texts with Instructions, Notes, Dissertations, and Translations, Volume 1, 2nd edition. Macmillan, 1889. Original from the University of California Digitized Feb 1, 2012, p. 45)
Bucher... further calculates that in A.D. 169, March 26 coincided with Nisan 15, the First Day of Unleavened Bread. ... In like manner, Ussher... adopts 169 as the year of the martyrdom and accepts the day as given in the Paschale Chronicle. (Ibid, p. 702)
There is also further confirmation about the fact that those in Smyrna kept the same holy days in the third century. Notice something related to the elder Pionius of Smyrna in the mid-third century:
2. On the second day of the sixth month, on the occasion of a great Sabbath, and on the anniversary of the blessed martyr Polycarp, while the persecution of Decius was still on, there were arrested the presbyter Pionius...
3. It was Saturday and after they had prayed and taken the sacred bread with water, Polemon the temple verger came in on them with his men in order to seek out the Christians and drag them off to offer sacrifice and to taste forbidden meats. "Surely you are aware," said the verger, "of the emperor' edict commanding us to sacrifice to the gods." "We are aware," said Pionius, "of the commandments of God ordering us to worship him alone."
Polemon said: "Come then to the market-place; there you will change your minds."
Sabina and Asclepiades said: "We obey the living God." He led them off then without restraint and as they walked along everyone saw that they were wearing their chains, and such a crowd rushed up in haste as it were for a strange sight, that they jostled one another. As they came into the forum, by the eastern Stoa and the double gate, all the forum and the upper storeys of the porches were crowded with Greeks, Jews, and women. They were on holiday because it was a great Sabbath. They drew near, looking towards the tribunal steps and the voting urns. (The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions, Chapters 2,3. Text from H. Musurillo, The Acts of the Christian Martyrs (Oxford, 1972), 137-167. http://archive.is/abf7S accessed 07/25/15)
Note: The "sixth month" appears to a reference to the modern month of March or possibly early April (it is not clear that solar months were used in Syria at that time per J. Lighfoot, Apostolic Fathers, Volume 2, pp. 694-696). While The Catholic Encylopedia claims Pionius was arrested on 23 February 250 and killed on 12 March.
It is most likely that the arrest and martyrdom were a little later.
Why?
Since it is not possible to have any great Sabbaths that early in the year, then Pionius was not killed until at least 2 1/2 weeks later than that.
The first "great Sabbaths" that year would have been 4 April 250 or 10 April 250 (the first and last Days of Unleavened Bread, respectively, that year). (On the other hand, if these events were in 251 instead, then the great Sabbaths would have fallen on 25 March 251 and 31 March 251.
Note: This particular “great Sabbath” is believed by certain scholars to have taken place on the first Day of Unleavened Bread; (see Lightfoot JB. S. Ignatius. S. Polycarp: Revised Texts with Instructions, Notes, Dissertations, and Translations, Volume 1, 2nd edition. Macmillan, 1889, pp. 45,702), however for it to have fallen on a Saturday, it would have been the 7th, the last, Day of Unleavened Bread in either 249 or 252 A.D.
It may be interesting to note that according to something from a 3rd century document (that was probably altered in places in the 4th century) claimed to be written by Pionius, titled The Life of Polycarp, shows that the Apostle Paul endorsed keeping the Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost to those in Smyrna:
In the days of unleavened bread Paul, coming down from Galatia, arrived in Asia, considering the repose among the faithful in Smyrna to be a great refreshment in Christ Jesus after his severe toil, and intending afterwards to depart to Jerusalem. So in Smyrna he went to visit Strataeas, who had been his hearer in Pamphylia, being a son of Eunice the daughter of Lois. These are they of whom he makes mention when writing to Timothy, saying; Of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Eunice; whence we find that Strataeas was a brother of Timothy. Paul then, entering his house and gathering together the faithful there, speaks to them concerning the Passover and the Pentecost, reminding them of the New Covenant of the offering of bread and the cup; how that they ought most assuredly to celebrate it during the days of unleavened bread, but to hold fast the new mystery of the Passion and Resurrection. For here the Apostle plainly teaches that we ought neither to keep it outside the season of unleavened bread, as the heretics do, especially the Phrygians...but named the days of unleavened bread, the Passover, and the Pentecost, thus ratifying the Gospel (Pionius. Life of Polycarp, Chapter 2. Translated by J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, 1889, pp.488-506).
Thus according to 'Pionius,' the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13), taught Gentile Christians in Asia Minor (specifically in Smyrna) to keep the Holy Days. Days many now consider to be Jewish and not Christian--but apparently Paul considered them important for all Christians to keep (see also 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 where he told the Gentiles in Corinth to keep them as well). Strataeas (per Monroy, Mauricio Saavedra. The Church of Smyrna: History and Theology of a Primitive Christian Community. Peter Lang edition, 2015, p. 190) is the same as Thraseas who also was known to keep the Passover on the 14th. That would have made him fairly old by the time he died, but as Polycarp lived to be over 100 (see, for example, the Harris Fragments, cited in Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter), this is not out-of-the question.
Evidence shows the Days of Unleavened Bread were being kept in the second and third centuries by those trying to be faithful in Asia Minor. This observance was confirmed by Polycrates, who also showed that Passover on the 14th was kept from the time of the apostles through his time--and he wrote in the late second century. It is reasonable to conclude that some of the Jews would have been "on holiday" for the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Notice something else from The Life of Polycarp:
What must one say, when even He that was gentler than all men so appeals and cries out at the feast of Tabernacles? For it is written; And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink ((Pionius. Life of Polycarp, Chapter 19. Translated by J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, 1889, pp.488-506).
And on the sabbath, when prayer had been made long time on bended knee, he, as was his custom, got up to read; and every eye was fixed upon him. Now the lesson was the Epistles of Paul to Timothy and to Titus, in which he says what manner of man a bishop ought to be. And he was so well fitted for the office that the hearers said one to another that he lacked none of those qualities which Paul requires in one who has the care of a church. When then, after the reading and the instruction of the bishops and the discourses of the presbyters, the deacons were sent to the laity to enquire whom they would have, they said with one accord, 'Let Polycarp be our pastor and teacher' (Chapter 22).
And on the following sabbath he said; 'Hear ye my exhortation, beloved children of God...' (Chapter 24).
Hence, there is an ancient document traditionally ascribed to Pionius that claims that Polycarp did keep the Sabbath and the Holy Days, like the Last Great Day (of course, other ancient documents support this). And there would have been no reason for Greco-Roman supporters in the 4th century to change the document to indicate that he did so, hence since The Life of Polycarp does claim that Polycarp kept the Sabbath and the Holy Days (yet, there are reasons to believe that one or more added information about Sunday, hence that is one reason that I consider that The Life of Polycarp was tampered with), it is logical to conclude that Pionius did as well.
Pionius would have been a Quartodeciman Christian.
Quartodecimans kept Passover (please see the article on Passover) on the 14th of Ahib (also known as Nisan), in spite of the preferences of Roman Bishops who preferred a Sunday date which ultimately became Easter Sunday (Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter?).
Those in his region had historically kept Passover on the biblical date. For historical evidence, consider that around 195 A.D., Polycrates of Ephesus wrote,
We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord's coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead ? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ' We ought to obey God rather than man'...I could mention the bishops who were present, whom I summoned at your desire; whose names, should I write them, would constitute a great multitude. And they, beholding my littleness, gave their consent to the letter, knowing that I did not bear my gray hairs in vain, but had always governed my life by the Lord Jesus (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book V, Chapter XXIV, Verses 2-7 . Translated by A. Cushman McGiffert. Digireads.com Publishing, Stilwell (KS), 2005, p. 114).
So, those in Asia Minor were keeping Passover on the correct date from the time of the Apostles.
It has been speculated that Pionius wrote, or at least copied (Kirsopp Lake's The Apostolic Fathers. Published London 1912, v. II, pp. 309-311) the Life of Polycarp. Which would support the view he held similar theological positions of the Quartodeciman Polycarp of Smyrna.
Although the Greco-Roman Catholic confederation gained theological dominance of Asia Minor shortly after his martyrdom, Pionius would have held on to the original biblical practice and date. And even a century after that confederation gained dominance there, some professing Christians were still keeping the Holy Days on the days that the Jews were--we know this because the Council of Laodicea condemned that under its Canon 37 (Synod of Laodicea. Translated by Henry Percival. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 14. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1900).
The Life of Polycarp also shows that Pionius revered the Bible based on how he wrote Polycarp believed and used the Scriptures:
Polycarp advanced greatly in the faith that is in Christ and that pursues a virtuous life. And in his untiring diligence, he from his Eastern stock bore (if one may so say) blossom as a token of good fruit hereafter to come. For the men who dwell in the East are distinguished before all others for their love of learning and their attachment to the divine Scriptures...Thus reflecting on this with a godly delight he offered himself day and night wholly and entirely as a consecrated sacrifice to God, exercising himself in the oracles contained in the divine Scriptures and in continual services of prayer and in devotion to all those who needed either attention or relief and in contentment of living (Chapter 6).
Such was his behaviour towards those from whom no benefit could be got. But bad men he avoided as mad dogs or wild beasts or venomous serpents; for he remembered the Scripture (Chapter 7).
...proving this from all the Scriptures (Chapter 13).
For he would extend his discourse to great length on diverse subjects, and from the actual Scripture which was read he would furnish edification with all demonstration and conviction (Chapter 18).
So also he pursued the reading of the Scriptures from childhood to old age, himself reading in church; and he recommended it to others, saying that the reading of the law and the prophets was the forerunner of grace, preparing and making straight the ways of the Lord, that is the hearts, which are like tablets whereon certain harsh beliefs and conceptions that were written before perfect knowledge came, are through the inculcation of the Old Testament, and the correct interpretation following thereupon, first smoothed and levelled, that, when the Holy Spirit comes as a pen, the grace and joy of the voice of the Gospel and of the doctrine of the immortal and heavenly Christ may be inscribed on them (Chapter 19).
The wealth of the grace given by Christ to Polycarp has led us on, while recording his course of life, to explain in turn the character of his teaching likewise. How he used to interpret the Scriptures, we will defer relating till another time, setting it forth in order and showing our successors also how to minister correct instruction in the holy and inspired Scriptures (Chapter 19).
And all things whatsoever being taught of God ye know, when ye search the inspired Scriptures, engrave with the pen of the Holy Spirit on your hearts, that the commandments may abide in you indelible.' Thus speaking in this way from time to time, and being persistent in his teaching, he edified and saved both himself and his hearers (Chapters 24-25).
The view of scriptures that Polycarp and Pionius held to is virtually identical to what we in the Continuing Church of God have, and their views are quite different than those practiced by the Greco-Roman churches (see also Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings).
What about unclean meats? Notice the following about Pionius from The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
3. It was Saturday and after they had prayed and taken the sacred bread with water, Polemon the temple verger came in on them with his men in order to seek out the Christians and drag them off to offer sacrifice and to taste forbidden meats. “Surely you are aware,” said the verger, “of the emperor’ edict commanding us to sacrifice to the gods.” “We are aware,” said Pionius, “of the commandments of God ordering us to worship him alone.”
Polemon said: “Come then to the market-place; there you will change your minds.”
Sabina and Asclepiades said: “We obey the living God.” He led them off then without restraint and as they walked along everyone saw that they were wearing their chains, and such a crowd rushed up in haste as it were for a strange sight, that they jostled one another. As they came into the forum, by the eastern Stoa and the double gate, all the forum and the upper storeys of the porches were crowded with Greeks, Jews, and women. They were on holiday because it was a great Sabbath. They drew near, looking towards the tribunal steps and the voting urns.
4. Polemon then had them set in front of him and spoke: "Pionius, it would be wise for you to obey and offer sacrifice like everyone else, so that you may not be punished." So then Pionius stretching forth his hand began his speech of defence with the following words: "You men who boast of the beauty of Smyrna, and you who dwell by the river Meles and who glory (as you claim) in Homer, and those among this audience who are Jews, listen while I make my brief discourse.
"I understand that you laughed and rejoiced at those who deserted, and considered as a joke the error of those who voluntarily offered sacrifice. Men of Greece, it behoved you to listen to your teacher Homer, who counsels that it is not a holy thing to gloat over those who are to die. And as for you, men of Judaea, Moses commands, If you should see the beast of your enemy fall down under his load, you shall not pass by but you shall go and raise it up (Deut 22:4). In like manner should you listen to Solomon: If your enemy falls, he says, do not rejoice, and do not be glad when he stumbles (Prov 24:17).
"I, at any rate, in obedience to my Master, have chosen to die rather than transgress his commands, and I make every effort not to change from the things I have learned and have myself later taught. At whom then do the Jews laugh without sym-pathy? For even if, as they claim, we are their enemies, we are at any rate men, and men who have been treated unjustly. They claim we have our chance to speak out. Yes, but whom have we offended? Did we murder anyone? Did we prosecute anyone? Did we force anyone to worship false gods? Or perhaps they think that their crimes are similar to those now committed by men out of fear. Rather, their sins differ as much as voluntary sins are different from indeliberate ones. Who forced the Jews to sacrifice to Beelphegor? Or partake of the sacrifices offered to the dead? Or to fornicate with the daughters of foreigners? Or to sacrifice their sons and daughters to idols? To murmur against God? To slander Moses ? To be ungrateful to their benefactors ? Or in their hearts to return to Egypt? Or, as Moses went up to receive the Law, to say to Aaron, Make gods for us, and then to make the calf - and all the other things they did? For they are capable of deceiving you. Then let them read to you the book of Judges, Kings, or Exodus, or all the other passages which prove them wrong.
"Do they ask why was it that some, without any pressure, came to sacrifice of their own accord? But would you condemn all Christians because of these? Consider the present life as though it were a threshing-floor. Which pile is the larger, the chaff or the wheat? For when the farmer comes to clear the threshing-floor with his winnowing-fan, the chaff, being lighter, is easily carried off by the wind, whereas thc wheat remains where it was.
"Consider again the net that is cast into the sea. Surely not everything that it gathers is of value. So is it with the present life. In what guise would you prefer us to suffer this, as men who are innocent or as guilty? If we are guilty, then how will you escape the same penalty, being proved wicked by your own deeds? And if we are innocent, then what hope can you have when even the just suffer? If the just man is saved only with difficulty, then what place will there be for tht impious and the sinner? (1 Pet 4:18). The judgement on the world is imminent: of this we are convinced for many reasons.
"Once on a journey I travelled all through Palestine, and crossing the Jordan river I saw a land that bears witness even to this day of the divine anger that has afflicted it by reason of the sins committed by its inhabitants, who killed foreigners, drove them out, or did them violence. I saw smoke rising even until now, and a land scorched by fire, deprived of all produce and water. I saw, too, the Dead Sea, a body of water transformed and depicted beyond its natural state by the fear of God, unable to nurture any living thing; indeed, anything thrust into it is expelled upwards by the water, and it cannot hold even a man' body within it. It refuses to receive man lest it ever again be punished because of man.
"But here I speak of things that are far away. You yourselves see and testify how the land of the Lydian Decapolis is scorched by fire and remains as an example of men' impiety even to this day; you know the volcanic fire of Etna and Sicily and even Lycia and the islands. And even though this has kept away from you, consider your familiarity with hot water, I mean the sort which gushes up from the earth: how else could it be enkindled and heated unless it emerged from an underground fire? Consider, too, the partial conflagrations and floods, such as you know of, for example, in the case of Deucalion, and we in the case of Noah. They are partial and occur in this way that we may comprehend the nature of the whole from the part.
"Hence we bear witness to you of the judgement by fire that is to come, accomplished by God through his Word, Jesus Christ. And so for this reason we do not worship your so-called gods, nor will we adore the golden idol."
5. Pionius said all this and very much else, so that he did not stop for a long time. The temple verger and his assistants and the entire crowd listened attentively, and the silence was so great that no one uttered a sound. Pionius once more repeated his words, "We do not worship your gods, nor will we adore the golden idol. At this they were brought out into the open in front of everyone, and they were surrounded by a number of advocates, who together with Polemon, began to entreat Pionius, saying: "Listen to us, Pionius: we love you. There are many reasons why you deserve to live, for your character and righteousness. It is good to live and to see the light," and many other things of this nature.
Pionius replied: "I too agree that life is good, but the life that we long for is better; and so too of light, that one true light, All these things are indeed good, and we do not run from them as though we are eager to die or because we hate God' works. Rather, we despise these things which ensnare us because of the superiority of those other great goods.
6. There was a lawyer by the name of Alexander, a wicked man, who spoke: “Listen to us, Pionius.”
“You should be concerned,” said Pionius, “to listen to me. What you know, I know; but what I know, you are ignorant of.” Alexander was minded to make sport of him, for he said to him ironically: “Why are you wearing these chains?” “First of all,” said Pionius, “so that though we are passing through your city, we mlght not be suspected of having come to eat forbidden foods; secondly, that you may understand that we do not consent even to be questioned. Rather we have made our decision and are going not to the temple of Nemesis but to the public gaol. And lastly, that you may not seize us and take us off by force but rather leave us alone because we are already in chains. Indeed, as it happened, you did not bring us into your temples with chains on.
In such wise was Alexander silenced. And when they kept begging him once more, he said: "This is our decision." And when Pionius continued to refute them in many things and to speak to them about what was to come, Alexander said: "What use is all this talk of yours, when it is impossible for you to live?"
7. The people were for having an assembly called in the theatre so that they could hear more of this; but some friends of the strategos approached Polemon the temple verger and said: "Do not allow Pionius to speak, lest when the people go to the theatre there be a disturbance and an investigation be made about the fellow."
When Polemon heard this, he said: "Pionius, even though you do not wish to sacrifice, at least go into the temple of Nemesis." But Pionius said: "But it would not profit your idols if we went there." "Obey us, Pionius," said Polemon. Pionius said: "Would that I were able to persuade you to become Christians." The men laughed aloud at him. "You have not such power that we should be burnt alive," they said. "It is far worse," said Pionius, " to burn after death."
Sabina smiled at this, and the verger and his men said: "You laugh?" "If God so wills," she said, "I do. You see, we are Christians. Those who believe in Christ will laugh unhesitatingly in everlasting joy." They told her: "You are going to suffer something you do not like. Women who refuse to sacrifice are put into a brothel." "The God who is all holy", she said, "will take care of this."
8. Again Polemon spoke to Pionius: "Pionius, listen to us."
Pionius said: "You have been ordered either to persuade us or to punish us. You are not persuading us. So, inflict the punishment." The verger Polemon once again made the request: "Offer the sacrifice, Pionius." "I am a Christian," answered Pionius.
"Which god do you worship?" asked Polemon. "The God who is almighty," said Pionius, "who made the heavens and the earth and all things that are in them, (Acts 4:24) and all of us; the God who richly furnishes us with everything (1 Tim 6:17), the God we know through Christ his Word."
"Make a sacrifice at least to the emperor," said Polemon.
"I am a Christian," said Pionius. "I do not offer sacrifice to men."
9. Then he interrogated him for the sake of the record, while a notary took everything down. “What is your name?” he asked him.
“Pionius,” was the answer. “Are you a Christian?” asked Polemon
“Yes,” said Pionius.
Polemon the verger said: “What church do you belong to?”
“The Catholic Church,” was the answer; “with Christ there is no other.” (The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions, Chapters 3,6, & 9. Text from H. Musurillo, The Acts of the Christian Martyrs (Oxford, 1972), 137-167. http://archive.is/abf7S accessed 07/25/15)
While some associated with the Greco-Romans, like Justin, apparently ate unclean meat, Pionius (who seems to have had a connection to Polycarp of Smyrna) did not.
When Pionius stated that there was no other true church than the catholic church, Smyrna and the rest of Asia Minor was not in fellowship with predominant churches in Rome or Alexandria (cf. Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book VII, Chapter V, Verse I. Digireads.com, 2005, p. 147; see also Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?). Hence, Pionius was not referring to the Roman or Eastern Orthodox Catholic churches that were confederate at that time. Pionius also did not eat biblically unclean meats, but the Greco-Romans had adopted that practice in the 2nd century according to the pseudepigraphal Epistle of Barnabas and the less-than-fully-accurate Liber Pontificalis.
As far as the ‘Catholic Church’ goes, the first two times this appears in the literature it is a reference to the Church of God in Smyrna (Ignatius' Letter to the Smyrnaeans and the Matrydom of Polycarp--quoted in the article on the Smyrna Church Era). It was not until the late 4th century that the Church of Rome and its Eastern Orthodox confederation had it for its exclusive legal use because of a decree of the Emperor Theodosius related to the Council of Constantinople he called for in 381. Pionius was obviously NOT part of the Roman Catholic Church since he would not eat unclean meat decades after Bishop Eleutherius supposedly authorized it, plus he also kept biblical Holy Days, etc.
I should also add that the Church of Rome considers that the presbyter Pionius was a saint, hence the fact that he did not even wish to be accused of eating it in the mid-third century supports the view that faithful Christians did NOT eat biblically unclean meats in the third century. There is also proof in the fourth century that the faithful did not eat unclean meats then either (for details see The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats).
Here is more from The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions, mainly related to his companions:
Next he came to Sabina. But first Pionius spoke to her: "Call yourself Theodotê" This he did that she might not, because of her true name, fall into the hands of the immoral Politta, who had been her former mistress. Under the Emperor Gordian this woman, in an attempt to change the glirl's faith, had Sabina bound and cast out on the mountains; but here she received sustenance secretly from the brethren. After this, however, efforts were made to free her from her bonds and from Politta, and since for the most part she lived with Pionius, she was captured in the present persecution.
At any rate, Polemon spoke to her next: "What is your name?"
"Theodotê," she said.
Before going further, let me note that the old Worldwide Church of God represented itself with different names at different times, such as the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation as well as used titles related to its Plain Truth magazine and other literature in order that the proclamation work would be less hindered.
But in the case of Sabina and Pionius, I suspect Pionius had the following words from Jesus in mind:
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (Matthew 10:16-18)
Wisdom was to use one of Sabina's other names. This is also a practice in many Spanish-speaking lands where people normally have two surnames, last names--though that tends to have more to do with business and societal matters.
Now back to Polemon and his questioning:
"Are you a Christian?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," she said.
"What is your church?" said Polemon.
Sabina answered: "The Catholic Church."
Understand that the true Church of God referred to itself as the catholic church in the second and third centuries in Asia Minor.
The Greco-Roman Catholics eventually took that name, and in the late 4th century, the murderous idolator and Roman Emperor Theodosius declared that only groups who accept his relatively new trinitarian position could use the term 'catholic church.' Yet, some Church of God groups continued to do that later.
It should be noted that a few of the long time WCG evangelists admitted to me that the COG was the original catholic church. That is based on historical reports, which can be found in our free eBook: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?
Now back to information related to Pionius' companions, etc.:
"Whom do you worship?" said Polemon.
Sabina answered: "Almighty God, who made the heavens and the earth and all of us, and who has been made known to us through his Word, Jesus Christ."
He then interrogated Asclepiades: "Your name?"
"Asclepiades," was the answer.
"Are you a Christian?" asked Polemon.
"Yes," said Aselepiades.
"Whom do you worship?" asked Polemon.
"Jesus Christ," answered Aselepiades.
"Is this the same one or another?" asked Polemom
"No," answered Asclepiades, "but the same one whom the others have referred to."
10. After this exchange they were taken off to the gaol, and a huge crowd followed so that the market-place was filled. Some remarked of Pionius: "He has always looked so pale, but now look how ruddy his complexion is!" And Sabina held on to his clothing because of the jostling of the crowd, so that some said in jest, "Why, how terrified she is that she may be weaned!"
Someone shouted: "If they don"t sacrifice they ought to be punished!"
Polemon said: "But the fasces {a symbol of Imperial Roman authority) do not allow us to exercise authority."
Someone else said, "Why look, the litfie fellow' going off to sacrifice!" He was referring to Asclepiades who was with us.
Pionius said: "You lie; he is doing no such thing."
Still others said: "But this one and that one have offered sacrifice."
Pionius said: "Each man has his own life to lead. This has nothing to do with me. My name is Pionius."
Notice that Pionius realized that although some had apostasized, that would not persuade him to do so.
Jesus warned Philadelphian Christians to hold fast and let no one take their crown (Revelation 3:11)--Pionius did that.
And in his area, the one who looked to possibly have had the leadership of succession, Eudaemon, apostasized. That, by the way, is the reason we have Nepos of Arsinoe as the most likely one who possessed the true mantle of succession overall then, despite Nepos not being in Asia Minor, but being in North Africa.
In our day, Joseph Tkach, Sr., who was given the leadership of succession by Herbert W. Armstrong, did not truly have the mantle in God's eyes, as he was an apostate.
Yet, the majority of people in the Worldwide Church of God at that time let the influence of the Tkach Administrations (Joe Sr. was succeeded by his son Joe Jr.) lead them to compromise.
However, there were those who essentially followed Pionius' example and did not forsake the truth when the officially top leader of the old WCG did.
Notice also:
Smith says of the Church at this period:
"About one hundred and twenty years after the Church of God at Pella was permitted to become again established at Jerusalem, under the leadership of Mark, an imperial edict was issued from Decius, the Roman emperor, and the Church was again exposed to great calamities. The venerable bishops of Jerusalem and Antioch died in prison, and many true followers were scourged to death, many sacrificed to wild beasts, some burned, and others perished by the sword. The Lord interfered, it seems, by sudden death coming upon the emperor Decius, but Gallus his successor, continued in the path of his predecessor. In two years, however, Gallus fell at the hand of one of his own soldiers, thus the year 253 closed this brief but terrible period of violence to the Church." -- Hugh Smith's History.
After this, we no longer clearly see any of the true Smyrna leaders in the "succession lists" that the Greek Orthodox or Roman Catholic Church refer to in Asia Minor or Antioch. This was due to scattering, apostasy, and later Roman and Orthodox influence.
The Roman Church acknowledges that there was a leader in Smyrna that apostasized:
Eudaemon (250), who apostatized during the persecution of Decius (Vailhe’ S. Transcribed by Lucia Tobin. Smyrna. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIV. Copyright © 1912 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by Kevin Knight. Nihil Obstat, July 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).
But after Eudaemon, I have seen no listed bishops of Smyrna. Eudaemon recanted Christianity under pressure of being killed (Sweeny Silver S. Footprints in Parchment: Rome Versus Christianity 30-313 Ad. AuthorHouse, 2013, p. 97) and seemed pleased he recanted per what we will read in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions.
Eudaemon possibly could have had the mantle of succession, before he lost it--if he ever had it.
The old Worldwide Church of God taught:
Since Church leaders are appointed and not voted into office, and since, therefore, the members are not watchdogs over the leaders, who is responsible for keeping these leaders on track spiritually and administratively?
The answer is that God's government in His Church is a government of faith. Simply put, this means members believe that behind the physical, outward appearance of the Church, is the unseen hand of Jesus Christ, who directs its affairs.
True Christians today trust Christ to direct the Church, bless it, correct it or its officers if need be and steer its general course.
From the time of Moses and the rebellion of Korab (a leader in the congregation who was killed by God for insubordination — Numbers 16), through the age of the apostles and the rejection of Judas Iscariot from his apostleship, to the present day, Christ has demonstrated His ability to:
run His Church,
place capable men in their proper positions,
discipline those who need it,
and reject from the Church those unfit to wear the Christian mantle.
- The very existence of the Church and the Church's continuing vitality proves this beyond dispute! (Doctrines of the Church: Church Governance. Worldwide Church of God, 1986/1987
This is important as, even though many have had hands laid upon them, they were not always faithful, yet the true Church has continued from the time of the apostles. But leaders who are not truly faithful, lose the mantle. Hence, while I am not sure if Eudamon ever held it--he lost it. But as Pionius remained faithful, I have generally traced apostolic, laying on of hands, succession through him and not Eudamon in Asia Minor.
Getting back to The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions we read:
Still others said: "What a terrible chastisement!" and "So indeed it is!"
Pionius said: "This sort of punishment you knew of from times of famine and violent death, and other plagues."
And someone said to him: "You too went hungry with us." Pionius said: "Yes, I did, with trust in God."
Yes, Pionius trusted God even in a time of going hungry.
Back to The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
11. They were so pressed by the crowd as to be stifled, and after Pionius had said this, they took them with difficulty, handed them over to the gaolers, and put them in prison. As they went in they found a presbyter of the Catholic Church imprisoned there by the name of Limnns, a Macedonian woman from the town of Karinê, and a man named Eutychian from the sect of the Phrygians. When they were all gathered together the gaolers realized that Pionius and his group were not accepting the things brought to them by the faithful·
In ancient times, people often gave objects to their friends and relatives in jail, and the jailers took their cut. However Pionius did not want that to happen. So:
Pionius had said: "When we had need of much more, we were a burden to no one. Are we to accept it now?"
Hence the gaolers became angry, because they used to benefit by whatever came in to the prisoners. So in their anger they cast the prisoners into the inner part of the prison because they received no gifts from them. The prisoners, however, praised God and kept tranquil, offering the guards the usual friendship, so that the prison warden changed his mind and had them brought back to their former place. And they persisted in saying: "Praise to the Lord! This has happened to us for our good." For they were at liberty to discourse and to pray night and day.
Before going further, let's look at some additional words from Jesus:
18. And you shall also be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles. 19. Now when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you should speak; for in that hour it shall be given to you what you shall speak. 20. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks in you. (Matthew 10:18-20, AFV)
With that in mind notice the following from The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
12. None the less while they were in prison many pagans came to try to persuade them but they were surprised to hear the answers they gave.
After the statement in Matthew, Jesus later said:
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. (Luke 21:12-15)
And that looks to have basically happened to the pagans that heard Pionius and his companions.
Coninuining with The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
Into the prison as well came many Christian brethren who had been carried off by force, and they made a great lament. Indeed, they were constantly in deep grief, especially those who had lived a good life in the ways of the devout, so that Pionius wept as he told them: "I am tormented anew, and I am torn limb from limb, when I see the pearls of the Church being trampled by swine, the stars of heaven being swept down to earth by the dragon' tail, and the vine which the right hand of God planted being ravaged by the solitary wild boar, so that all those who pass by on the road may pluck its fruit. (Ps 80:13 LXX)
Pionius was not pleased with how the brethren in prison were being treated. Notice that he referred to the persecutors as swine, an unclean animal.
Notice something the Pionius of Smyrna taught in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
13. "I understand also that the Jews have been inviting some of you to their synagogues. Beware lest you fall into a greater, more deliberate sin, lest anyone commit the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Do not become with them rulers of Sodom and people of Gomorrha, whose hands are tainted with blood. We did not slay our prophets nor did we betray Christ and crucify him. But why need I say much to you? Recall what you have heard; and now put into practice what you have learned. For you have also heard that the Jews say: Christ was a man, and he died a criminal. But let them tell us, what other criminal has filled the entire world with his disciples ? What other criminal had his disciples and others with them to die for the name of their master? By what other criminal' name for so many years were devils expelled, are still expelled now, and will be in future? And so it is with all the other wonders that are done in the Catholic Church. What these people forget is that this criminal departed from life at his own choice. Again, they assert that Christ performed necromancy or spirit-divination with the cross. Yet what Scripture in their possession or in ours says this of Christ? Did any good man ever say this? Are not those who say this wicked men? How then can you believe the words of the wicked rather than those of the good?
14. "For my part, this lie that is repeated now as though it were recent, I have heard uttered by Jewish people since I was a child. It is written that Saul inquired of a diviner, and that he said to the woman who was performing the necromancy, Bring up for me Samuel (1 Sam 28:11), the prophet. And the woman saw a man rising up wrapped in a robe, and Saul recognized that it was Samuel, and put to him the questions that he wanted.
"Well, then, was the diviner able to bring up Samuel or not? If they say she was, then they admit that wickedness has more power than righteousness, and then they are accursed. If they say that she did not, then they should not assert it of Christ the Lord. But the explanation of this story is as follows. How was this wicked diviner, herself a demon, able to bring up the soul of the holy prophet that was resting in the bosom of Abraham ? For the lesser is commanded by the greater. Surely then Samuel was not brought back, as these suppose ? Of course not. The truth is somewhat as follows. Whenever anyone revolts from God he is followed by the rebel angels, and demonic ministers assist him with every sort of drug, magician, priest, and wizard. And no wonder: for the Apostle says: Even Satan disguises himself us an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness? (2 Cor 11:14-15). Indeed, even the Antichrist will appear as Christ. So then Samuel was not brought up from the grave; but rather demons from Hell disguised themselves as Samuel and thus appeared to the diviner and to the faithless Saul. The Scriptures themselves will show you this. For Samuel in the apparition says to Saul: You too shall be with me today. How is it possible that the idolatrous Saul is found together with Samuel? Rather is it clear that he is with the wicked demons who have deceived him and have become his masters. Hence it cannot have been Samuel. But if it is impossible to bring back the soul of the holy prophet, how is it possible to see rising from the earth Jesus Christ who is in heaven, whom the disciples saw being taken up, and they died because they would not deny him.
"And if you are unable to maintain this against them, tell them: However it may be, we are stronger than you, who committcd fornication and worshipped idols without being forced to. Do not yield to them in despair, my brethren, but cleave to Christ by repentance; for he is merciful in receiving you back as his children."
We in the Continuing Church of God do believe that Jesus was raised by God, that God did not raise Samuel, and that Christians await the resurrection of the dead. Most in the Greco-Roman churches currently have a different view (see also Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?).
15. After he had spoken to them and urged them to leave the prison, the temple verger Polemon came upon them with Theophilus, the general of the cavalry, a group of soldiers, and a huge crowd. And they told them: "Look, Euctemon, one of your leaders, offered sacrifice. So should you too be persuaded. Lepidus and Euctcmon are asking for you in the temple of Nemesis."
So, acccording to the above, Eudaemon not only did the pagan sacrifice, he went to the temple of Nemesis. Nemesis was the Greek goddess of divine retribution and vengeance, punishing those who succumb to hubris/pride. So, after abandoning the truth, Eudaemon went far away from it. The same basic thing happened to those impacted by the Tkach apostasy, but instead of going to the temple of Nemesis, they went to the pagan celebrations related to Saturnalia (Christmas), Eostre (Easter), and Samhain (apparently pronounced "sah-van," Halloween).
Then we see that Pionius concluded that something was not properly going on from a legal proceedings perspective:
"It is proper", said Pionius, "that those who have been imprisoned should await the arrival of thc proconsul. Why do you take on yourselves his task?"
They went off then very annoyed, and returned with soldiers and a crowd. Then the cavalry commander, Theophilus, told them deceptively, "The proconsul has sent word that you are to be transferred to Ephesus."
"Let the one whom he has sent come forward", said Pionius, "and take us there."
The cavalry commander said: "An imperial officer is worthy of respect! Whether you will or not, I am in charge!"
Then these rogue leaders decided that Pionius and his companions needed to be forced to go into a pagan temple:
Then taking hold of Pionius he knotted a scarf around his neck so that he was practically choking, and handed him over to one of the soldiers. And so they came to the market-place, with Sabina and the others. Then, when they began to shout in a loud voice, "We are Christians", and throw themselves on the ground to avoid being dragged to the temple, six of the soldiers picked up Pionius and carried him head downwards, since they were unable otherwise to prevent him from butting them in the side with his knees and interfering with their arms and legs.
16. They carried him shouting and threw him down in front of the altar beside which Euctcmon was still standing in an attitude of worship?
Reading the above reminded me of the last time my family and I attended a WCG service, which was related to the funeral of someone we long knew. Anyway, seeing how many at the service attempted to mimic things from evangelicals/pentecostals, that was so disappointing.
It is likely that Pionius and his companions felt that way about seeing Eudaemon in the temple of Nemesis.
Now back to The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
Lepidus said: "Pionius, why do you and your people not sacrifice?"
The group around Pionius said, "Because we are Christians."
"Which god do you worship?" asked Lepidus.
Pionius answered: "The God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them" (Acts 4:24).
Lepidus said: "You mean, then, the one who was crucified?"
"Yes," said Pionius, "him whom God sent for the redemption of the world."
At this the officials gave a loud guffaw and Lepidus cursed Christ.
Pionius then cried aloud: "You should have respect for piety, honour justice, have a sense of sympathy, and live in accordance with your own laws. You punish us for being disobedient, and yet you yourselves are disobedient: you were ordered to punish us, not force us against our wills."
Jesus and the Apostle Paul were both punished in certain ways that violated the Jewish and Roman laws at their time.
Continuing with The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
17. At this a bystander named Rufinus, one of those who had a reputation for superiority in rhetoric, said to him: "Cease, Pionius; do not be a fool!"
And Pionius answered him: "Is this your rhetoric? Is this your literature? Even Socrates did not suffer thus from the Athenians. But now everyone is an Anytus and a Meletus. Were Socrates and Aristides and Anaxarchus and all the rest fools in your view because they practised philosophy and justice and courage?"
And Rufinus when he heard this merely kept quiet.
That brings to mind something quoted here earlier from Jesus: "I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist" (Luke 21:21).
Continuing with The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
18. There was a man there who was prominent in worldly honour and both he and Lepidus said, "Pionius, do not shout so."
"Then do not try to force me," he answered. "Light a fire and we shall climb upon it of our own accord,"
A man named Terentius shouted out from the crowd: "Do you know that this fellow has roused up the others so as not to sacrifice?"
Yes, Pionius and his companions were considered rabble rousers by their proper example.
Continuing with The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
Finally crowns were put on them, but they tore them apart and threw them away.
Jesus was mocked with a crown of thorns. We do not know the type of Roman crowns that were put on Pionius and his companions, but since they tore them apart, they probably were made of laurel, which Romans gave to those who won races.
Continuing with The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
The public servant stood holding the sacrificed meat. He did not however dare to approach anyone, but simply ate it in the sight of everyone.
As they kept shouting, "We are Christians!" and since they could find nothing to do to them, they sent them back to prison, while the crowd mocked and beat them.
Someone said to Sabina: "Why could you not have died in your own native city?"
Sabina replied: "What is my native city? I am the sister of Pionius."
Terentins, who was at that time in charge of the gladiatorial hunting games, said to Asclepiades, "After your condemnation I shall ask for you to compete in single combat with my son."
Asclepiades answered: "You do not terrify me with this."
And in this way they were led back to prison. As Pionius was going in one of the soldiers clubbed him heavily on the head and so wounded him. Yet he said nothing. But the arms and the sides of the one who struck him were so swollen that the fellow could hardly breathe.
So, notice that it appears that God caused the one who struck Pionius to suffer for it. The Bible shows that those who try to harm the Two Witnesses that fire from the two witnesses will kill them (Revelation 11:5).
Apparently the clubbing did not really harm Pionius according to the following in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
They, however, entered the prison and gave glory to God that they had remained unharmed in the Name of Christ, and that neither the enemy nor the hypocritical Euctemon had got control over them; and they continued to strengthen one another with psalms and prayers.
Continuing in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
Later it was said that Euctemon had decided to force our hand. He had brought a little lamb to the temple of Nemesis, and after it was roasted and he had eaten of it, he intended to bring all the rest back home. He had indeed become ridiculous because of his false oath, wearing his crown and swearing by the emperor' genius and the goddesses of Fate that he was not a Christian and that, unlike the rest, he would omit nothing that would manifest his denial.
Notice how far Eudaemon fell away from the truth. Again, that has parallels with the majority who fell away from the truth with the Tkach Administration apostasy.
Now back to The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
20. As Pionius was silent, hanging in torture he was asked: "Will you sacrifice?"
"No," he answered.
Once more he was tortured by his fingernails and the question was put: "Change your mind. Why have you lost your senses?"
"I have not lost my senses," he answered; "rather I am afraid of the living God."
The proconsul said: "Many others have offered sacrifice, and they are now alive and of sound mind."
"I will not sacrifice," was the answer.
The proconsul said: "Under questioning reflect within yourself and change your mind."
"No," he answered.
"Why do you rush towards death?" he was asked.
"I am not rushing towards death", he answered, "but towards life."
So, they tortured him. And though that was difficult, remember that the Bible teaches:
13 ... God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Pionius was able to handle the pain without compromising. Furthermore, Pionius realized he was getting closer to eternal life, but the carnal Roman leaders could not understand that. So continuing in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
Quintillian the proconsul said: "You accomplish very little hastening towards your death. For those who enlist to fight the beasts for a trifling bit of money despise death. You are merely one of those. Seeing you are eager for death, you shall be burnt alive."
The sentence was then read in Latin from a tablet: "Whereas Pionius has admitted that he is a Christian, we hereby sentence him to be burnt alive."
Burning God's people in the future is prophesied in Daniel 11:33 as well as by Greco-Roman Catholic writers who view it as a good thing (see Persecutions by Church and State).
Continuing in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
21. Hastily he went to the amphitheatre because of the zeal of his faith, and he gladly removed his clothes as the prison-keeper stood by. Then reaIizing the holiness and dignity of his own body, he was filled with great joy; and looking up to heaven he gave thanks to God who had preserved him so; then he stretched himself out on the gibbet and allowed the soldier to hammer in the nails. When Pionius had been nailed down the public executioner said to him once again: "Change your mind and the nails will be taken out."
But he answered: "I felt that they are in to stay."
Then after a moment's reflection he said: "I am hurrying that I may awake all the more quickly, manifesting the resurrection from the dead." (The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions, Chapters 13, 14, 20, & 21. Text from H. Musurillo, The Acts of the Christian Martyrs (Oxford, 1972), 137-167. http://archive.is/abf7S accessed 10/17/15)
Yes, Pionius had the "blessed hope" of divine redemption (Titus 2:13-14).
Pionius of Smyrna was persecuted and killed.
Continuing in The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions:
And so they raised him up on the gibbet, and then afterwards a man named Metrodorus from the Marcionite sect. It happened that Pionius was on the right and Metrodorns was on the left, though both faced the east. After they brought the firewood and piled up the logs in a circle, Pionius shut his eyes so that the crowd thought that he was dead. But he was praying in secret, and when he came to the end of his prayer he opened his eyes. The flames were just beginning to rise as he pronounced his last Amen with a joyful countenance and said: "Lord, receive my soul. Then peacefully and painlessly as though belching he breathed his last and gave his soul in trust to the Father, who has promised to protect all blood and every spirit that has been unjustly condemned.
22. Such was the innocent, blameless, and incorruptible life which blessed Pionius brought to an end, with his mind ever fixed on almighty God and on Jesus Christ our Lord the mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5); of such an endbwas he deemed worthy. After his victory in the great combat he passed through the narrow gate into the broad, great light. Indeed his crown was made manifest through his body. For after the fire had been extinguished, those of us who were present saw his body like that of an athlete in full array at the height of his powers. His ears were not distorted; his hair lay in order on the surface of his head; and his beard was full as though with the first blossom of hair. His face shone once again--wondrous grace!--so that the Christians were all the more confirmed in the faith, and those who had lost the faith returned dismayed and with fearful consciences.
23. This took place when Julius Proculus Quintillians was proconsul of Asia, under the consulship of the Emperor Gaius Messius Quintus Trajan Decius Augustus for the second time and Vettius Gratus, on the fourth day before the Ides of March according to the Roman calendar, and according to the Asiatic reckoning on the nineteenth day of the sixth month, Saturday, at the tenth hour, and in our reckoning under the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.
After Pionius was arrested, he asked:
To whom have we done wrong? Have we perchance murdered someone? Or, do we persecute anyone? Or have we obliged anyone to venerate idols? (Martyrdom of Pionius as translated in Monroy, Mauricio Saavedra. The Church of Smyrna: History and Theology of a Primitive Christian Community. Peter Lang edition, 2015, p. 155)
He asked those questions knowing full well that real Christians had not done any of those things.
Pionius, and his companions, were unjustly murdered.
Since the Smyrna portion of the early church was the post-apostolic period, the faithful ones during that time obviously believed the teachings of the apostles and writings in the New Testament.
Here are summaries some of the doctrines held during the time of the Smyrna Church:
The complete Bible with the proper Old Testament and New Testament was relied on by the true Church in Asia Minor--the Smyrnaeans had it as the above articles demonstrate.
Baptism was by immersion.
A Binitarian view was obviously held by the apostolic and post-apostolic true Christian leaders.
Birthdays were not celebrated by early Christians.
Celibacy for Bishops/Presbyters/Elders was not a requirement.
Christmas was not observed by any professing Christ prior to the third century, or ever by those holding to early teachings.
Deification of Christians (which begins after the first resurrection) was taught by the early leaders of the Church.
Duties of Elders/Pastors were pastoral and theological, not predominantly sacramental.
Easter was not observed by the apostolic church.
The Fall Holy Days were observed by true early Christians.
The Father was considered to be God by all early professing Christians.
Holy Spirit was not referred to as God or as a person by any early true Christians.
Hymns were mainly psalms, not praises to Christ.
Idols were taught against, including the use of the cross.
Immortality of the soul or humans was not taught.
Jesus was considered to be God by the true Christians.
The Kingdom of God was preached.
Lent was not observed.
Mary was the mother of Jesus, was blessed (Luke 1:28) and called blessed (Luke 1:48), but was not prayed to, etc. by true early Christians.
Military Service was not allowed for true early Christians.
Millenarianism (a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth) was taught by the early Christians.
Monasticism was unheard of in the early Christian church.
Passover was kept on the 14th of Nisan by apostolic and second Century Christians in Asia Minor.
Pentecost was kept on Sunday by certain Jews and was observed then by professing Christians.
Purgatory was not taught by the original apostolic church.
The Resurrection of the dead was taught by all early Christians
The Sabbath was observed on Saturday by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church.
Salvation was believed to be offered to the chosen now by the early Church, with others being called later, though not all that taught that practiced "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).
Sunday was not observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians.
The Ten Commandments were observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians.
Tithes and Offerings were given to support the ministry, the churches, the needy, and evangelical travels and proclamation.
Tradition had some impact on the second century Christians but was never supposed to supercede the Bible.
The Trinity was not a word used to describe the Godhead by the apostolic or second century Christians.
The Virgin Birth was acknowledged by all true ante-Nicene Christians.
As a faithful leader in Smyrna, Pionius would have held to those basic views.
We in the Continuing Church of God are the only COG group that I know of that specifically considers Pionius as part of our early leaders of succession.
Concluding Comments
The writings about Pionius suggest a theology closer to that held by the genuine Continuing Church of God, than the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic faiths. And that helps demonstrate that it is the Continuing Church of God that holds positions most consistent with truly orthodox Christianity, than the majority who now profess Christianity do. Jesus taught:
11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mark 13:11-13)
Someone likely with some church connection betrayed Pionius.
But he refused to compromise and did what Jesus said to do: Pionius endured to the end.
That is something all of us need to do.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Previous Primary Leader to Camerius was Apollonius
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Thiel B., Ph.D. Pionius of Smyrna. http://www.cogwriter.com/pionius.htm 2016/2017/2019/2020 /2026 0429