(One such foundational tenet was the observance of the Passover.) But more to the point, church membership specifically, and Christian discipleship in general, was intended to mirror the selfless giving and humility demonstrated by Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Members of the Motley family were faithful attendees of these meetings. 6 Each church had a star that was held in God’s hand, which represented the messenger to that church age. It would be impossible (and perhaps unfair) to attempt to mention by name prominent members or families who have contributed their time, talent and gifts to our church through the years. Steven Davis Gillespie 1985-1991 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. The first Smyrna church edifice, built on this site in 1793, was of logs, with a steeple. In fact, He even knows our thoughts (Psalm 94:11). When one visits Smyrna’s sanctuary today they step into a space that is both rich in heritage and welcoming. This difference was quite visible since Easter always fell on a Sunday and Passover could occur on other days of the week depending upon when the 14th day fell each year. For the health of our community, Sunday Services & all events are cancelled until further notice. Sister Helen has been a While the apostles and members of the Church of God in the first century came in contact with many Jews, we do not know why these people claiming to be Jews at Smyrna were identified by Christ as having blasphemed and as being a synagogue of Satan. He was martyred on Saturday, Feb. 23, A.D. 155. Rev. “In Roman times, Smyrna was considered the most brilliant city of Asia Minor, successfully rivaling Pergamos and Ephesus. His mother took over the family trade and continued the boy’s education. It was “Doc” Holiday who stood up alongside the famous lawman Wyatt Earp and his brothers against the notorious McLaury-Clanton brothers of the Cowboy Gang during the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. For background information on these messages, see “Seven Churches of Revelation.” In this article we will focus on the city of Smyrna during the first and second centuries, what the message was and the importance of Christ’s instruction to this congregation for us today. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrh, a flagrant perfume used in burial. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death”’” (Revelation 2:8-11). He has served in the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six states. History shows that there were people such as Polycarp who followed this admonition. churches established in Camden or Winnsboro. While it is part of the greater Smyrna cemetery, it is often referred to as the “Boykin” section as many members of that family (along with others) have been laid to rest within. It was little loss to the boy for His father had been a killer, a bully, and a cheat. Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Find an Affirming Church. Rev. But the people of Smyrna United Methodist Church would do well to remember the Good News that those in the ancient church at Smyrna who are faithful until death will be given “the crown of life.” In addition, Revelation chapter 2 verses 8– 11 tells us that those who overcome shall not be hurt by the second death (the final death of Judgement Day). 1997-2018 by Mary Ann Lubinsky for the PAGenWeb Project, and by Individual Contributors Mary Ann Lubinsky County Coordinator Historians, however, offer some interesting insights regarding Polycarp, a student of the apostle John and the one who later became the bishop of Smyrna during the second century, and Polycrates, a younger contemporary of Polycarp who served as the bishop in Ephesus. Being a Methodist minister, he brought other settlers of the Methodist faith with him. In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29, emphasis added). Directly across the driveway from the entrance to the sanctuary is the oldest section of the cemetery which is surrounded by a beautiful, old, ornate, iron fence. If the reference to Jews in the message to Smyrna—people “who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9)—is meant in this way, there is a clear correlation with what was taking place in church history. Many today falsely reason that it is okay to worship God via humanly devised celebrations instead of on the days He ordained. History tells us of a great hero of the Christian faith, Polycarp, who was the pastor of the church in Smyrna. Beyond this building a small barn was added to not only store a riding mower and other landscaping tools but also to house sporting equipment, seasonal decorations, and props for church plays and celebrations that are required by an active congregation. To the left of the old “Boykin” area are more recent graves. The first regular pastor was the Rev. Never miss a post! Joanne Lockard-Hawkins 2010-2013 John Springer, who preached here until 1801. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “‘“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. We, too, must remain faithful in spite of tribulation or poverty. Rev. Jesus Christ refers to His own death, points to their death as a finish line, and also mentions the second death. But even then, one must realize that many of those who have richly blessed our church now rest elsewhere. Eugene Lawson Farmer 1952-1956 “On the slope of Mt. Along with the other cities of Asia Province, Smyrna competed for the honor of building a temple to Tiberius in 26 AD, winning the honor and becoming the “temple warden” of the imperial cult (Tacitus, Annals; Lewis, “Sulla and Smyrna”). Once inhabited by Native Americas, the land on which Smyrna was built lies in an area also known as “Indian Mound.” For many centuries large Native American settlements thrived along the banks of the Wateree River which takes its name from one such tribe. John Williams III 2002-2006 Founder, John Motley and his children lie in our graveyard. Until recently when God saw fit to call her home, his great-granddaughter, Mrs. Corrie Baucom, was still active at our church. The Bible reveals Smyrna as one of the 'seven churches' of Asia in the Book of Revelation, Rev. and admonished not to fear the “synagogue of Satan.”. In 1808, The Reverend James Jenkins, a Methodist preacher, also settled nearby. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Read more about the Churches of Revelation in the article “Seven Churches of Revelation.”. The statement regarding “poverty (but you are rich)” indicates that even though the members were financially poor, they were rich in their relationship with God. Jenkins purchased land on Sawney’s Creek, where he and his wife took immediate occupancy. Rev. With the Christmas Conference’s unanimous approval, Asbury was ordained and appointed as co-superintendent. James Jenkins as a member of the Board of Trustees. The Wolf-Pitt, Methodists Societies and Smyrna Chapel. During the mid-3rd century, most became affiliated with the Greco-Roman churches. Smyrna United Methodist Church is named after one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. 13.1, 17.2). Concluding His message to the church of Smyrna, Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. James “Mac” McDowell 2013-2015 The leaders of the congregations in Asia, led by Polycrates, decided that they would remain faithful to the practice they had received from the apostles of the first century. 4:15) says, that when Polycarp was apprehended, and brought before the proconsul at Smyrna, the Jews were the most furious of all in demanding his condemnation” (Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Revelation 2:9). Smyrna early became a Christian city, for there was one of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation (2:8-11). Two well-known historians of the early centuries, Ignatius and Irenaeus, said that Polycarp was taught by the apostle John. Milton Lee McGuirt 1962-1964 The Wolf-Pitt may have derived its name from a nearby depression in the ground into which the settlers placed a lamb to attract marauding wolves so that they could eliminate them from the area. While He is not warning that their deaths are imminent, these references combine to produce a sober message. Bessie B. Parker 1957-1959 Later, Pope Victor of Rome moved to establish uniformity among the churches by demanding that the Asian churches forsake their practice of observing the Passover and begin observing Easter. While that church was admired for its tribulation and poverty, it was forecast to suffer persecution. Search this website. And God’s promise to–to the elected church in it, was to give it a crown of Life. He covered this area on horseback every year preaching and presiding over Annual Conferences and earning the nickname of “Bishop of the Long Road.” Asbury visited churches in Camden area and conducted a baptism near Smyrna at what would become Ebenezer United Methodist Church. People claiming to be Christians were beginning to abandon the foundational tenets upon which the Church of God was founded. To remain faithful to God, we, like the people of God in Smyrna in the early centuries, will need to resist pressure to reject “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3-4). It’s been almost 2,000 years since the apostle John was instructed by Jesus to write letters to the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. Rev. Smyrna was chosen, and became the “temple warden” (Tacitus, Ann. We can see that this is a good church because they only receive commendations from Jesus and no rebuke. The wording of the message to the church of Smyrna is: “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Serving God, Sharing Love. 4.55– 56). Once you have read this vital information, you are going to need to begin honoring God by observing His holy days if you are not already doing so. Similar to Ephesus, which was only 40 miles to the south, Smyrna had many visitors. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. It wasn’t until later, when African Americans sought equality and greater access to leadership roles in congregations that they left to form their own churches for example: the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). Albert Barnes explains: “In the time of the martyrdom of Polycarp—the Jews of Smyrna were among the most bitter of the enemies of Christians, and among the most violent in demanding the death of Polycarp. Lawrence Dekalb Hamer 1944-1946 Bessie B. Parker Jan-Apr 1985 When Constantinople became the seat of government, the trade between Anatolia and the West diminished in importance, and Smyrna declined. The order of these seven cities, representing congregations of the Church of God, is that of an ancient mail route that connected these cities. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. There Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, was martyred, though without the sanction of the Roman government. This building contains well-lighted classrooms, furnished nursery, clean restrooms, large fellowship hall with brick fireplace, and a well-appointed kitchen with storage closet and a room for the deep freezer. It was situated on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Regarding this reference to those falsely claiming to be Jews, it appears that these people were the cause of much hardship for the members of the church of Smyrna. In the following century, however, we see what might be a continuation of this hostility directed toward the Christians at Smyrna. William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible adds that when Polycarp was martyred by being burned by fire and then stabbed to death on Saturday, Feb. 23, 155, “the Jews, even although they were breaking the Sabbath law by carrying such burdens, were foremost in bringing wood for the fire” (comments on Revelation 2:9). Ralph Truman Bowling, Jr. 1972-1974 At the time that the nearby Salem Church celebrated its first services in their new sanctuary on January 1, 1942 the West Kershaw Charge consisted of four churches: Ebenezer, Salem, Smyrna, and St. John (it wasn’t until 1959 that St. John’s Church, Lugoff left the charge). Bishop Asbury Spreads Methodism to Our Area. With the outbreak of the war, most of the ordained Anglican ministers, along with many who were not, returned to England. Although many look at this condemnation of people claiming to be Jewish from a literal perspective, meaning these people were descendants of the tribe of Judah, there is another way to understand this point. The location of that ancient church was in what had been referred to as Smyrna in Asia Minor but is now the modern town of Izmir in Turkey. Martha Anne Hills Andrews Jun-Dec 1984 Franklin Oscar Smith, Jr, 1959-1962 Additions such as stained glass windows and improvements such as modern restrooms, new pews, carpeting, modern sound system, heating, and air-conditioning have all been tastefully incorporated into the sanctuary’s structure without detracting from its historical appearance. Boasting an excellent harbor and the beginning of a well-traveled road to the interior, Smyrna regularly had travelers passing through it. Soon afterward, in 1808, he was requested to preach at the “Wolf-Pitt.” It seems that many of the local pioneers had a course reputation resulting from their rough and frontier-hardened resistance to the Word of God. The basement area of an agora (marketplace) of the second or third century in Smyrna (photo by David Treybig). His link to the apostolic age is clearly evidenced in the difference between the Christians in Asia and those in Rome over the observance of Passover, one of God’s annual festivals. They retained the name “Christian” while abandoning the Christianity that was delivered by Jesus and established by the apostles in the first century. Ready to start serving? Jenkins’ ministry was far reaching and with such strong conviction that conversions often followed. Edited and Expanded on However, a simple listing of pastors has been provided because, unlike our earliest members and contributing visitors, it can be inclusive thanks to the efforts of the S.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church which maintains well-documented records of all appointments to local churches. In 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the Christmas Conference in Baltimore. This area contains some of the oldest graves and two evergreen trees that were brought from England over two hundred years ago. History . It was built mostly by slaves using green boards a foot wide and was finally completed in 1811. Dwight Hill Mims 1969-1972 “Be faithful [Smyrna] until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Our History The church of Christ was established in New Smyrna Beach, Florida in 1936. They are also praised for being “rich” while impoverished and in tribulation 1:11; 2. William D. Cooper 1974-1975 In the 23 AD year a temple was built in honor of Tiberius and his mother Julia, and the Golden Street, connecting the temples of Zeus and Cybele, is said to have been the best in any ancient city” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1939, “Smyrna”). We have noted only a few of the many saints of our church. There are also many other Veterans of more recent conflicts whose graves are spread throughout other areas of the cemetery. And He also knew there were Jewish pretenders. To see their names one only has to stroll through our cemetery and read the names inscribed above their resting places. April 12, 2018, Our Name and the Ancient Church of Smyrna. James Jenkins led the Smyrna Church to completion. Smyrna means "myrrh," a highly valued spice. 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