You didn't care for Ignatius and now you have a problem with Polycarp.This is a good example of how deceptive these types of info sources are. Arius did not propose that Yeshua was created. Paul was inspired to write that to the Colossians long before Arius was born.
Colossians 1:15 - Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:Of all of YHWH's created creatures, the Son was the firstborn from the dead unto eternal life.
It is interesting that Polycarp wrote in Greek, but we no longer have the chapter which contains this quote in Greek. Instead, we have it in Latin. The following trnslation is found here;
² But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, longsuffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all who are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.If the Greek had "theos" in it, it would be the same as Thomas' exclamation in John's gospel, "my Lord and my [theos]". Not a problem since "theos" is used of beings other the "God".
Even Polycarp, in the very letter you quote, advises the Philippians that they should listen to Ignatius (he was most respected in his time).
As far as Jesus being the first raised from the dead...this is true, but I don't quite understand what it has to do with Him being God...
Colossians 1:15-17
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Verse 15 is stating that Jesus is the firstborn of all creation...IOW He was present before anything else was created,,,just as John stated in John 1:3
Verse 16 veifies the above...all things were created by Jesus, the Logos, the Word of God -- all things were created THROUGH Him.
Verse 17 states that He holds all things together. God holds the universe together,,,nothing happens unless God wants it to. If Jesus does the same work as God...is He not God? Cannot only God do God's work?
Polycarp, in his letter, states that Jesus forgives our sins. Cannot only God forgive our sins? Isn't this why we dislike Catholic confession?
Colossians is, in my opinion, the best verses to confirm Jesus is God. It matches perfectly with what John said.
Also, I never could understand why this is so important to you.
Why insist on this so fervently?