Since it is All Saints Day, I thought it would be a great time to talk about Super-Hero Saints from the olden days. 

​These men inspire me to follow Jesus with all my heart and make a difference in my generation. I hope this post will make you want to learn more about these amazing saints!

​Saint Polycarp (69-155), bishop of Smyrna, was mentored by Apostle John the Beloved. He pastored his flock faithfully in the midst of terrible persecution, but managed to make it to the age of 86. At this point, the Emperor decided to execute Polycarp, but gave him permission to recant his faith in Christ. When he heard he was a wanted man, he refused to flee, but waited patiently for the soldiers to take him to the arena. When asked to recant, he replied, "86 years I have served him and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior. 

Saint Eusebius (260-340), bishop of Caesarea, is considered the Father of Church History. He escaped execution during Emperor Diocletian's "Great Persecution," but was imprisoned. After Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan, Eusebius returned to pastoring his flock. Today, we remember him for ​Ecclesiastical History​, a 10-volume work covered Church history from Jesus to his time. I read this book and I love it! It's so awesome to read about the early church! In addition, he wrote a 15-volume work explaining how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. He also wrote a history of the world.  

Saint Nicholas (270-343), bishop of Myra in Asia Minor is remembered for his kind heart and generosity. He loved children and they loved him. During the "Great Persecution" of Emperor Diocletian, he was imprisoned and exiled. Saint Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea, a defender of Orthodoxy, defending the Deity of Christ, the Trinity, and Incarnation of Christ. He boldly denounced the heresies of Arius. 

​Saint Athanasius (296-373), the Archbishop of Alexandria, was exiled five times for his strong stand on the Deity of Christ and the Trinity. When the Church was divided over the heretical teachings of Arius who claimed that Jesus was not always one with the Father, Saint Athanasius firmly stood his ground on the Word of God. Throughout Christendom, there were fierce arguments. Emperor Constantine finally had enough and he called for a church council at Nicaea where the Nicene Creed was hashed out as a answer to Arius' heresy. Athanasius' works on the Incarnation of Christ helped to lay a strong foundation for sound doctrine in the Church. 

Today we celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on the Whittenberg Door. It was a list of things he wanted to dialogue about, concerns he had about the state of the church. 

My husband, Pastor Mike came dressed as Apostle Paul. He started the service off by sharing Paul's testimony and the truths he taught about Christ Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Scripture Alone, and To God's Glory Alone. 

More heroes followed. First, a Roman lady talked about the early church, martyrdom, and the conversion of Constantine, making Christianity legal. Next, Lady Matilda from the Middle Ages talked about the changes in the church during the Middle Ages where some of the truth of the Word of God were watered down. 

John Wycliffe spoke next about his adventures as a student at Oxford and his attempts to call the church back to the truths of the Bible. His followers were called Lollards, so we passed out lollipops to help us remember their name. 

"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" Henry Stanley, the newspaper reporter asked the Scottish doctor. "The whole world is looking for you." 

​"I'm not lost," the doctor replied in his hearty voice, that belied the illness he had been fighting. 

Dr. David Livingstone (1813- 1873), born in Scotland, spent most of his childhood working hard in a mill. His heart was set on being a doctor, so after his long days at the mill, he took night classes, eventually graduating with a medical degree.

​One day, David heard a missionary doctor speak about how missionaries with medical knowledge were needed in China. As David prayed about it, he felt called, not to China, but to Africa.

​David spent many years in Africa, traveling to places that no white man had ever gone before. It was quite an adventure! One time he was attacked by a lion! Another time a terrible accident destroyed his left arm. Best of all, he discovered beautiful rivers and majestic waterfalls.