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Chapter
One
There
are two ways: one of life and one of death; and the difference
between the two ways is great.
The
way of life is this: first, you should love God, who made you;
secondly, love your neighbor as yourself; and whatever things you
do not desire to be done to you, do not do them to someone else.
Now
the words of this teaching are this: Bless those who curse you
and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who are persecuting
you. For what credit is it if you love those who love you? Do not
the Gentiles do the same thing? But love those hating you, and
you will not have an enemy.
Keep
yourself from fleshly and bodily cravings. If anyone hits you on
the right cheek, turn the other one to him also. And you will be
acting maturely. If someone should force you to go one mile, go
with him two. If someone takes your coat, give him your shirt
also. If anyone should take from you what is yours, do not demand
that he give it back, for you cannot.
Give
to everyone asking you and do not refuse, for the Father desires
to give to everyone from His own gifts. Blessed is the one who
gives according to the commandment, for he is innocent. But the
one who receives without need shall account for his receiving.
Furthermore, being held, he shall be examined concerning what he
has done, and he shall not be released until he has given back
the last cent.
It
has been said concerning this, "Let your money sweat in your
hands until you know whom you should give it to."
Chapter
Two
And
this is the second commandment of the teaching: you shall not
kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not corrupt
children, nor practice sexual deviation; you shall not steal; nor
practice calling on spiritual guides; nor use sorcery; you shall
not procure an abortion, nor practice infanticide; you shall not
covet your neighbor’s goods.
You
shall not commit perjury, nor accuse someone falsely; you shall
not speak evil nor hold a grudge. You shall not be double minded
nor double tongued, for the double tongue is the snare of death.
Your word shall not be false or empty, but do what you say.
You
shall not be covetous or extortionate, or hypocritical, or
malicious or proud. You shall not plan evil against your
neighbor. You should not hate anyone; but you should reprove
some, and you should pray for some, and you should love some more
then your own life.
Chapter
Three
My
child, flee from evil and from every appearance of evil. Do not
be ruled by your passions, for this leads to murder. Neither be
jealous, quarrelsome, or quick- tempered. For murders are born
out of such things. Do not let yourself develop lust, for this
leads to sexual immorality. Do not be foul-mouthed, nor raise
your eyes, for this leads to adultery.
My
child, do not regard omens, for this leads to idolatry. Do not be
a sorcerer, nor be involved in astrology or magic purifications.
Do not desire to see these things, for that is how idolatry
comes. My child, do not be a liar, for lying leads to thievery.
Do not be fond of money and do not try to build your own image,
for that also leads to thievery. My child, do not be a grumbler,
for it leads to blasphemy. Do not be self-willed nor entertain
evil thoughts, for that is how blasphemy starts.
Be
meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth. Be patient and long
suffering, devoid of evil, gentle and good, and trembling
continually at the words that you have heard. Do not exalt
yourself nor act presumptuously. Do not join yourself with the
proud, but walk with the righteous and humble men.
Accept
everything that happens to you as good, knowing that nothing
happens apart from God.
Chapter
Four
My
child, you should remember night and day the one who speaks to
you the Word of God, and honor him as you would the Lord; for
where the delegated authority speaks, there is the Lord.
And
you should seek every day the presence of the saints, in order
that you may be supported by their words. You should not desire
division, but make peace between those quarreling. Judge
righteously; do not favor anyone in reproving transgressions. Do
not be double-minded as to whether anything should or should no
be.
Do
not be one who stretches out his hand to receive but withdraws it
in giving.
Give
a ransom for your sins if you have it to give. Do not hesitate to
give, nor give in a grumbling manner, for you know who is the
good Paymaster who rewards?
You
should not turn away the needy, but share all things with your
brother, not saying that anything is your own. For if we are
sharers in the eternal things, much more should we be in the
physical things. Do not withhold your hand from your son or your
daughter, but from their youth teach them the fear of God.
Do
not give orders to your slave or your handmaidenâ€"those
who hope in the same Godâ€"when you are bitter, lest they
stop fearing God who is over you both. For He does not come to
call men according to their social status, but He calls those
whom the Spirit has prepared. And you slaves submit in fear and
reverence to your masters as God’s delegated authority
over you.
You
should hate all hypocrisy and all that is not pleasing to the
Lord. Do not forsake the commandments of the Lord, and keep (the
teachings) you have received, not adding and not taking away. In
church, you should confess your faults; and do not go to prayer
with an evil conscience. This is the Way of Life.
Chapter
Five
But
the Way of Death is this: first of all, it is evil and full of
curses, lusts, adulteries, murders, thefts, idolatries,
witchcrafts, sorceries, robberies, false witnesses, hypocrisies,
double-mindedness, fraud, arrogance, boastfulness, jealousies,
foul speech, pride, persecutors of the good, haters of truth,
lovers of a lie, not regarding the reward of the righteous, not
holding to the good or to the righteous judgment, spending
sleepless nights not for good, but for wickedness; far from whom
is gentleness and patience; loving useless things, seeking
rewards, unmerciful to the poor, not helping the hardworking
person, not regarding the one who made them, child murderers,
destroyers of God’s creation, turning away the needy,
oppressing the distressed, wrongfully assisting the rich, unjust
judges of the poor, altogether sinful. May you be delivered, my
children, from all of these things?
Chapter
Six
See
that no one misleads you from the pathway of this teaching, since
it would be contrary to God. For if you are able to bear the
whole yoke of the Lord, you should be mature. If you are not
able, do what you can.
Concerning
meat, do what you can; but keep from that which is offered to
idols, for it is the worship of dead gods.
Chapter
Seven
And
concerning baptism, in this manner baptize: when you have gone
over these things, baptize in the name of the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, in running water.
If
you do not have running water, baptize in other water. If you are
not able to use cold water, use warm. And if you have neither,
pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And before baptism, the one
baptizing and the one to be baptized should fast, as well as any
others who are able. And you should instruct the one being
baptized to fast one or two days before.
Chapter
Eight
And
let not your fasts be with those of the hypocrites, for they fast
on Mondays and Thursdays, but you fast Wednesdays and Fridays. Do
not pray as the hypocrites but as the Lord commanded in His
gospel. Pray like this:
Our
Father in heaven, hallowed is Your name, Your kingdom come and
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us our daily
bread for today and forgive our debts as we forgive those who owe
us. Please do not lead us into a test, but deliver us from the
evil one. For You have the power and the glory forever.
Pray
like this three times a day.
Chapter
Nine
Concerning
the Eucharist (communion) give thanks like this:
First
for the cup:
We
give thanks to You, our Father, for Your holy vine of David, Your
servant, which You made known to us through Jesus, Your Servant.
Glory to You forever.
Concerning
the broken bread:
We
give thanks to You, our Father, for the life and knowledge that
You made known to us through Jesus, Your Servant. Glory to You
forever. As this broken bread was scattered over the hills and
was brought together becoming one, so gather Your Church from the
ends of the earth into Your kingdom, for You have all power and
glory forever through Jesus Christ.
Do
not let anyone eat or drink of your Eucharist meal except the
ones who have been baptized into the name of the Lord. For the
Lord said concerning this: "do not give that which is holy
to the dogs."
Chapter
Ten
After
you are filled, give thanks like this:
We
thank you, Holy Father, for Your Holy name which you made to
dwell in our hearts, and for knowledge and faith and immortality
as You made known to us through Jesus, Your Servant. Glory to You
forever.
You,
Lord Almighty, created all things to show forth Your name. You
give both food and drink to man to enjoy, and everlasting life
through Your Servant. Above all, we thank You because You are
mighty. Glory to You forever. Remember Lord, Your Church, to
deliver her from all evil and mature her in Your love. And gather
her from the four winds, separated into Your kingdom which You
have made for her, because You have the power and glory forever.
Let
grace come and this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David!
If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not, let him
repent. Maranatha (Lord come). Amen
Allow
the prophets now to give thanks as they desire.
Chapter
Eleven
Whoever,
therefore, who comes and teaches you all these things mentioned,
receive him. But if the one teaching changes what has been taught
to another teaching in order to destroy these things, do not
listen to him. However, if his motive is to add righteousness and
knowledge of the Lord, receive him as you would the Lord.
Now
concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the
requirements of the Gospel. Every apostle coming to you, welcome
as you would the Lord.
And
he should not remain more than one day, and if he has a need also
another. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet.
And
when the apostle goes forth, he should take nothing except a loaf
of bread, until he arrives at his night’s lodging. If he
asks for money he is a false prophet. Also, you should not test
or judge and prophet speaking in the Spirit, for every sin will
be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
But
not everyone speaking in the Spirit is a prophet, but only if he
should have a lifestyle of the Lord'scharacter. Therefore, by his
lifestyle you will know a false prophet from a true prophet. And
any prophet ordering a meal in the Spirit should not eat of it;
otherwise he is a false prophet.
And
every prophet who teaches the truth but does not do what he
teaches is a false prophet. But every prophet who stands the test
and is genuine, even if he uses symbolic imagery in the church,
so long as he does not teach others to do the same, should not be
judged. His judgment comes from God, for so did the prophets of
old.
But
whoever should say in the Spirit, "Give me money or
something else,"do not listen to them. But if, concerning
others in need, he says, â€̃give,’ let no one judge
him.
Chapter
Twelve
Receive
everyone coming in the name of the Lord. Later, by testing him,
you will find out about him, where he deviates from the standard.
If the one coming is just traveling through, help him as much as
you can. He should not remain with you more than three days if
that is necessary.
But
if he desires to settle among you and has a trade, let him work
for his bread. But if he has no trade, you should provide for him
according to your own discretion. In no way should anyone live
among you unemployed as a Christian. And if he is not willing to
do this, he is making a trade of Christ. Beware of this kind of
person.
Chapter
Thirteen
But
every genuine prophet who desires to settle among you is worthy
of his food. Likewise, every genuine teacher is worthy; like a
workman, he is worthy of his food. Therefore, of all the first
produce of the wine press and the threshing floor, and of the
oxen and the sheep, take the first fruits and give it to the
prophets. For they are your high priests.
And
if you do not have a prophet, give such first fruits to the poor.
If you should make bread, take it and give according to the
commandment. Likewise, if you have opened a jar of wine or oil,
take the first fruits and give to the prophets. And also take the
first fruits of your money and clothes and all your possessions.
As it seems best, give according to the commandment.
Chapter
Fourteen
And
when coming together on the Lord's own day, break bread and give
thanks after confessing your transgressions. In that manner, your
sacrifice will be pure. And do not let anyone coming with a
quarrel against a brother join you until they get reconciled, in
order that your sacrifice is not impure. For this has been spoken
of by the Lord, "in every place and time offer me a pure
sacrifice, for I am a great King," says the Lord, "and
My name is wonderful among the nations."
Chapter
Fifteen
Appoint
for yourselves, therefore bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord:
gentle men, not lovers of money, true and approved. For they
minister also to you the ministry of prophets and teachers.
Therefore, do not despise them, for they are to be honored among
you along with the prophets and teachers.
Do
not reprove one another in anger, but in peace, as we have been
shown in the Gospel. And do not let anyone speak to a person who
is unloving to his neighbor, nor let him hear a word from you,
until he repents.
Pray
and give and live as you have found in the Gospel of our Lord.
Chapter
Sixteen
Watch
over your life. Do not let your lamps be extinguished or your
body unclothed, but be ready; for you do not know the hour in
which our Lord comes.
Assemble
yourselves together frequently to seek the things that benefit
your souls, for all the time of your faith will not profit you
unless you are perfect at the last. For in the last days, false
prophets and seducers will increase, turning the sheep into
wolves; and love will be turned into hate.
For
lawlessness will increase and they will hate and persecute and
betray one another. And then the deceiver of the world will
appear as though he were the Son of God, and he shall do signs
and wonders and the earth shall be delivered into his hands; and
he will commit immoralities which have never been done since the
age began.
Then
shall the race of men come into the fire of proving trial and
many shall be made to stumble and perish. But those who remain
established in their faith shall be saved under the very curse.
And
then the signs of truth shall be revealed. First, a sign spread
out in heaven; then a sign of the sound of a trumpet; and third,
the resurrection of the dead, but not all of the dead. But as it
was said, "the Lord shall come and all His Holy Ones with
Him."Then the world shall see the Lord coming in the clouds
of heaven.
The
Didache
Annotated Edition
Translation and Notes by Tim
Sauder
Note:
The comments and annotations are those of the translator and do
not necessarily reflect the views of Scroll Publishing Co or the
owners this web site
I will come back later and examine his
annotations. Lane
Chapter
One
There are two ways: one
of life and one of death; and the difference between the two ways
is great.
The way of life is this: first, you should love
God, who made you; secondly, love your neighbor as yourself; and
whatever things you do not desire to be done to you, do not do
them to someone else.
Now the words of this teaching are
this: Bless those who curse you and pray for your enemies, and
fast for those who are persecuting you. For what credit is it if
you love those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same
thing? But love those hating you, and you will not have an
enemy.
Keep yourself from fleshly and bodily cravings. If
anyone hits you on the right cheek, turn the other one to him
also. And you will be acting maturely. If someone should force
you to go one mile, go with him two. If someone takes your coat,
give him your shirt also. If anyone should take from you what is
yours, do not demand that he give it back, for you cannot.
Give
to everyone asking you and do not refuse, for the Father desires
to give to everyone from His own gifts. Blessed is the one who
gives according to the commandment, for he is innocent. But the
one who receives without need shall account for his receiving.
Furthermore, being held, he shall be examined concerning what he
has done, and he shall not be released until he has given back
the last cent.
It has been said concerning this, "Let
your money sweat in your hands until you know whom you should
give it to."
Thoughts
a.If Christians saw this as the
focal point of belief—the love of God and others—would that
change the world for the better, or would it be impractical to
achieve?
b.Do you think the early church took the words of
Jesus seriously and tried to apply them? Should we do the
same?
c.How can we apply this to present situations? Have
you thought in your own life of a situation where you were
wronged and you did not retaliate?
d.If Christians focused
on being like Jesus, would this be practical in our modern
society? Or is it more important just to focus on being forgiven
and live normal like everyone else?
e.When we give, do we
really think in terms of giving to others? Or do we just put the
money into the churches hands to distribute? What did the early
church do in this regard?
Scriptures:
The
two ways
Jer.21:8:
The way of life
Matt.
22:37,39 Matt. 7:12
The Explanation of Non resistant Love
Luke 6:27
Matt. 5:44
Matt 5:46
Self
control
Matt. 5:39
Chapter
Two
And this is the second
commandment of the teaching: you shall not kill; you shall not
commit adultery; you shall not corrupt children, nor practice
sexual deviation; you shall not steal; nor practice calling on
spiritual guides; nor use sorcery; you shall not procure an
abortion, nor practice infanticide; you shall not covet your
neighbor’s goods.
You shall not commit perjury, nor
accuse someone falsely; you shall not speak evil nor hold a
grudge. You shall not be double minded nor double tongued, for
the double tongue is the snare of death. Your word shall not be
false or empty, but do what you say.
You shall not be
covetous or extortionate, or hypocritical, or malicious or proud.
You shall not plan evil against your neighbor. You should not
hate anyone; but you should reprove some, and you should pray for
some, and you should love some more then your own
life.
Application:
a.Pelagius of the fourth
century was accused by Augustine of being a heretic. Pelagius
said he was following the teachings of the early church. His
saying was "if I ought to do something and am commanded to
do it by the Lord, then it is in my power to do it." Now is
there anything here that we can not do if we desire to obey and
do it?
b.If Christians were known to keep their word,
would people want to do business with them?
c. When we
hate someone, do we see this as wrong and not the way of Jesus?
Did the early church emphasize doctrine about atonement or living
the Christian life?
d. Do video games and murders on TV
fit into the corrupting of children? Is it possible to apply this
to modern culture?
e. In our pluralistic society we are
afraid to talk about sexual deviation. The early church was not.
Is it important to deal with modern issues in order to promote
the life of Christ in us and in the Body of Christ, the
Church?
Scripture:
Matt.
5:33
Chapter Three
My
child, flee from evil and from every appearance of evil. Do not
be ruled by your passions, for this leads to murder. Neither be
jealous, quarrelsome, or quick- tempered. For murders are born
out of such things. Do not let yourself develop lust, for this
leads to sexual immorality. Do not be foul-mouthed, nor raise
your eyes, for this leads to adultery.
My child, do not
regard omens, for this leads to idolatry. Do not be a sorcerer,
nor be involved in astrology or magic purifications. Do not
desire to see these things, for that is how idolatry comes. My
child, do not be a liar, for lying leads to thievery. Do not be
fond of money and do not try to build your own image, for that
also leads to thievery. My child, do not be a grumbler, for it
leads to blasphemy. Do not be self-willed nor entertain evil
thoughts, for that is how blasphemy starts.
Be meek, for
the meek shall inherit the earth. Be patient and long suffering,
devoid of evil, gentle and good, and trembling continually at the
words that you have heard. Do not exalt yourself nor act
presumptuously. Do not join yourself with the proud, but walk
with the righteous and humble men.
Accept everything that
happens to you as good, knowing that nothing happens apart from
God.
Application:
The
early church was surrounded by pagan religions and eastern
religious thought patterns no different then today. One of the
biggest temptations was to think that an object such as an idol
or statue had power in itself to bring about a person’s wishes.
Pagans thought that If an object were blessed by a pagan priest,
it had now received power.
The Catholic church brought
this pagan idea into the Roman and eastern churches. Today,
millions of people set up statues up in their homes and bow
before them. This is idolatry, and with it comes a curse from
God. Trusting objects blessed or holy water sprinkled is not the
same as trusting in God. Until this is seen as pagan, there is no
hope of Gods blessing on a city, nation or people.
a.There
is a secret that the early church knew and later was lost. The
secret is that we are on earth to develop the character of who we
are for all eternity. Jesus’ death gives us real power to
change into who we should become.
The question is: "Have
I been led to believe that these life changes are not
important—that the only important thing is being
forgiven?
b.Does my church teach that we should change and
have the power to live like Jesus?
c. If the early church
strived to follow this teaching, what would it have been like to
have lived among them?
d. Are pride and humility important
elements that are taught in our churches?
e. The writer
says we should accept things that happen to us. Does this mean
God plans it? Or does it mean various factors are involved, but
with God’s permission? Can He make good come out of
it?
Scriptures:
Romans
8:28
Matt. 5:5
Chapter
Four
My child, you should
remember night and day the one who speaks to you the Word of God,
and honor him as you would the Lord; for where the delegated
authority speaks, there is the Lord.
And you should seek
every day the presence of the saints, in order that you may be
supported by their words. You should not desire division, but
make peace between those quarreling. Judge righteously; do not
favor anyone in reproving transgressions. Do not be double-minded
as to whether anything should or should no be.
Do not be
one who stretches out his hand to receive but withdraws it in
giving.
Give a ransom for your sins if you have it to
give. Do not hesitate to give, nor give in a grumbling manner,
for you know who is the good Paymaster who rewards?
You
should not turn away the needy, but share all things with your
brother, not saying that anything is your own. For if we are
sharers in the eternal things, much more should we be in the
physical things. Do not withhold your hand from your son or your
daughter, but from their youth teach them the fear of God.
Do
not give orders to your slave or your handmaiden—those who hope
in the same God—when you are bitter, lest they stop fearing God
who is over you both. For He does not come to call men according
to their social status, but He calls those whom the Spirit has
prepared. And you slaves submit in fear and reverence to your
masters as God’s delegated authority over you.
You
should hate all hypocrisy and all that is not pleasing to the
Lord. Do not forsake the commandments of the Lord, and keep (the
teachings) you have received, not adding and not taking away. In
church, you should confess your faults; and do not go to prayer
with an evil conscience. This is the Way of Life.
Application:
Unlike the money-oriented
churches of today, the early church did not believe in tithing—as
is taught in many churches today. They did not believe that only
ten percent belonged to the Lord. Rather, they believed that all
belonged to the Lord. It was your personal responsibility to seek
God as to what you should do in the area of giving. The church
meetings were not a place to collect money and let the elite or
select decide where it should go. People today have taken no
responsibility in the area of giving. They have given it over to
others.
In this passage, we see an almost communal
atmosphere in the early church, one of voluntary sharing of
material things. Even Lenin saw this model in his communist
ideas. However, without the change in the hearts of people, it is
unworkable. What this means is that all giving must be from the
heart, God directed, and God inspired.
This passage adds
to the understanding of what the church should believe and be.
This has largely been lost in today’s church. We have added and
added and added so much to the simplicity of Scripture, that we
do not have anything like the practice of the early church.
Rather, we have rules and doctrine in our heads. Churches and
denominations are known not for what type of people and
Christians they produce in practice but for what they believe
about doctrines and things that do not affect their way of life.
a. Do we have the type of church that they had in the
first centuries?
b. Would you like to belong to a church
that focused on the importance of seeking how and who to give to?
Or one that spends more time in meetings listening to someone
talk about doctrines that are not applied?
c. In reading
this chapter, what applications are there for modern times?
d.
In your church, do you know where your money goes? Do you feel
your responsibility ends when you put it in the offering
plate?
e. We know that Jesus was not happy with what was
happening with money in the Jewish system of the temple. Do you
think He is happy with what is happening today in our
churches?
f. Since the early church had no buildings, do
you think the money was better shared for the needs of people?
g. Would it be practical to let people be led by God to
give instead of being manipulated by church leaders?
Scripture:
Acts 4:32
Chapter
Five
But the Way of Death is
this: first of all, it is evil and full of curses, lusts,
adulteries, murders, thefts, idolatries, witchcrafts, sorceries,
robberies, false witnesses, hypocrisies, double-mindedness,
fraud, arrogance, boastfulness, jealousies, foul speech, pride,
persecutors of the good, haters of truth, lovers of a lie, not
regarding the reward of the righteous, not holding to the good or
to the righteous judgment, spending sleepless nights not for
good, but for wickedness; far from whom is gentleness and
patience; loving useless things, seeking rewards, unmerciful to
the poor, not helping the hardworking person, not regarding the
one who made them, child murderers, destroyers of God’s
creation, turning away the needy, oppressing the distressed,
wrongfully assisting the rich, unjust judges of the poor,
altogether sinful. May you be delivered, my children, from all of
these things?
Application:
Consequences comes to mind.
The problem with modern society is that, as a Church, we have not
presented the world view that all things have consequences both
here and in the spiritual world to follow. Children would not go
into high schools in America and kill fellow students if they
knew what happened to themselves in the spiritual world. The idea
that we place ourselves in the spiritual world with the same type
of people that we become, is an important spiritual truth that
has been lost.
Our world is bewitched by Hollywood. The
branch of the holly tree is what is the wand of witches is made
from. It has been named Hollywood by the Lord because it is
stretching it’s wand over the whole earth and we see the evil
literally in our homes and minds all over the world. Murders and
evil go into peoples minds on a daily basis, and we call it
entertainment. The world is watching the church, and the church
is watching TV.
a.If we brought persons from this early
church into our culture and church, what would be their
reaction?
b.Would the Christians of the first centuries
just say " I am forgiven, so now I can do anything I
please." Or, "You have little understanding of what the
Lord wants, you who call yourselves followers of
Christ?"
Scripture:
Rev.
22:15
Chapter Six
See
that no one misleads you from the pathway of this teaching, since
it would be contrary to God. For if you are able to bear the
whole yoke of the Lord, you should be mature. If you are not
able, do what you can.
Concerning meat, do what you can;
but keep from that which is offered to idols, for it is the
worship of dead gods.
Application:
a.Has the church been
mislead from this type of teaching as the gospel?
b.Since
most churches have only gone back to the Reformation, with its
minor alteration of the Catholic practices for church, do we have
the right to experience new forms of church which would be like
the early church?
Scripture:
Acts 15:29
Chapter
Seven
And concerning baptism,
in this manner baptize: when you have gone over these things,
baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, in running water.
If you do not have running
water, baptize in other water. If you are not able to use cold
water, use warm. And if you have neither, pour water on the head
three times, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. And before baptism, the one baptizing and the one to be
baptized should fast, as well as any others who are able. And you
should instruct the one being baptized to fast one or two days
before.
Application:
The
early church was much more flexible on the method of baptism then
most groups of today. The importance was the meaning
of it, not the method.
Only the Mennonite church seems to be that flexible because the
first Anabaptists poured water on their heads to baptize. It was
the middle of winter in Switzerland so they were practical.
I
keep wondering if the early church really understood what this
formula was all about? The name of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit was the Old Testament name for God, YHWH or Yahweh, the
sacred name of God. This name is the name for all three aspects
of God. Why would we not use this in baptism? It is the name.
Father is not a name. Son is not a name and neither is Holy
Spirit.
a.Does my church consider the method more
important then the meaning of baptism? (he can't define what is
the church. Notice, my church?)
b.Could we use the real
name of God when we baptize and not talk about it?
My
Response to this nonsese. In Romans 6:3-4 we are told that
baptism is a burial. I am sorry but pouring water on the head
does not meet those conditions nor does pouring water meet to
defintion of the word baptise, which is to "immerse."
The NT has and uses different words when speaking of pouring and
sprinkling but baptism is immersion.
Scripture:
Matt 28:19
Chapter Eight
And let not your
fasts be with those of the hypocrites, for they fast on Mondays
and Thursdays, but you fast Wednesdays and Fridays. Do not pray
as the hypocrites but as the Lord commanded in His gospel. Pray
like this:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed is Your name,
Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us our daily bread for today and forgive our debts
as we forgive those who owe us. Please do not lead us into a
test, but deliver us from the evil one. For You have the power
and the glory forever.
Pray like this three times a
day.
Application:
This is where we see some points
we do not quite understand. Who are the hypocrites? And how are
they praying differently? This seems to be a reference to the
Jews. One of the points here is let’s not be afraid to be
different.
a.If we practiced Christianity differently than
others, would we be afraid of criticism?
b.Have there been
Christians who lived holy, but did things different in the past
centuries?
c.What if our home group focused on this
teaching and nothing else for several months and pretended we
were an early church? Would we refocus our lives to be better or
worse for the experience?
Scriptures:
Praying:
Matt. 6:5 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4
Chapter Nine
Concerning
the Eucharist (communion) give thanks like this:
First for
the cup:
We give thanks to You, our Father, for Your holy
vine of David, Your servant, which You made known to us through
Jesus, Your Servant. Glory to You forever.
Concerning the
broken bread:
We give thanks to You, our Father, for the
life and knowledge that You made known to us through Jesus, Your
Servant. Glory to You forever. As this broken bread was scattered
over the hills and was brought together becoming one, so gather
Your Church from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom, for You
have all power and glory forever through Jesus Christ.
Do
not let anyone eat or drink of your Eucharist meal except the
ones who have been baptized into the name of the Lord. For the
Lord said concerning this: "do not give that which is holy
to the dogs."
Application:
It is obvious that
this writing reflects a time in the life of the church when they
were still getting together for a group meal and that the Lord’s
supper was part of that experience. This alone makes us believe
that this writing is very early. The fact that John’s Gospel is
not used, is very significant. He died around 96 AD, and
therefore we see in this little teaching a powerful reflection of
what the early church, or as we can call it primitive church,
life was really like.
a.Is the concept of a meal included
in my church understanding of the Lord’s supper?
b.Is
the experience of sharing a meal valuable in a relationship
setting to experience the presence of the Lord with us?
c.Why
do you think the church got away from this practice?
Chapter
Ten
After you are filled, give thanks like this:
We
thank you, Holy Father, for Your Holy name which you made to
dwell in our hearts, and for knowledge and faith and immortality
as You made known to us through Jesus, Your Servant. Glory to You
forever.
You, Lord Almighty, created all things to show
forth Your name. You give both food and drink to man to enjoy,
and everlasting life through Your Servant. Above all, we thank
You because You are mighty. Glory to You forever. Remember Lord,
Your Church, to deliver her from all evil and mature her in Your
love. And gather her from the four winds, separated into Your
kingdom which You have made for her, because You have the power
and glory forever.
Let grace come and this world pass
away. Hosanna to the Son of David! If anyone is holy, let him
come. If anyone is not, let him repent. Maranatha (Lord come).
Amen
Allow the prophets now to give thanks as they
desire.
Application:
The words ‘like this’
lead us to believe that it is a suggested prayer, and not to be
used verbatim. The most important part of this chapter is the
spontaneous prophetic additions which are allowed. Today, almost
all church meetings are controlled. So there is little
opportunity for God to speak through others in the congregation.
We are so afraid of losing control in our meetings. What if this
or that happened?
The synagogue style of worship was the
first form of the church. Men sat separate from women, and there
was freedom to talk during the meeting so that it was sometimes
noisy. If you have any questions on this, attend a Jewish meeting
today. They will be happy to let you. It has not changed since
the early church very much. Visitors are often allowed to share
whatever they want.
a.Does my church recognize prophetic
people who hear from God?
b.Would our church be happy to
let people have freedom to speak or feel threatened by the whole
experience?
c.Does our church plan all the meeting, or do
we allow God to speak through people who have not preplanned what
they will say?
Scripture:
1 Cor. 16:22
Chapter
Eleven
Whoever, therefore, who comes and teaches you all
these things mentioned, receive him. But if the one teaching
changes what has been taught to another teaching in order to
destroy these things, do not listen to him. However, if his
motive is to add righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, receive
him as you would the Lord.
Now concerning the apostles and
prophets, act according to the requirements of the Gospel. Every
apostle coming to you, welcome as you would the Lord.
And
he should not remain more than one day, and if he has a need also
another. But if he remains three days, he is a false
prophet.
And when the apostle goes forth, he should take
nothing except a loaf of bread, until he arrives at his night’s
lodging. If he asks for money he is a false prophet. Also, you
should not test or judge and prophet speaking in the Spirit, for
every sin will be forgiven, but this sin shall not be
forgiven.
But not everyone speaking in the Spirit is a
prophet, but only if he should have a lifestyle of the Lord’s
character. Therefore, by his lifestyle you will know a false
prophet from a true prophet. And any prophet ordering a meal in
the Spirit should not eat of it; otherwise he is a false
prophet.
And every prophet who teaches the truth but does
not do what he teaches is a false prophet. But every prophet who
stands the test and is genuine, even if he uses symbolic imagery
in the church, so long as he does not teach others to do the
same, should not be judged. His judgment comes from God, for so
did the prophets of old.
But whoever should say in the
Spirit, "Give me money or something else," do not
listen to them. But if, concerning others in need, he says,
‘give,’ let no one judge him.
Application:
One
of the biggest problems of the church is that we have lost the
tests of spirituality. Motives are hard to test, but fruits and
results are not. Are people in ministry to make money? Many are.
Do they like to have power over others and feel important? Many
do. Do they drive nice cars on ministry money? Some do. Do they
ask for money before giving a seminar or concert of music? Again,
many do.
Hudson Taylor was trying to raise money to go
back to the mission field. It was not going well, and the Baptist
churches were telling him what to do and how to do it, if they
were going to donate the money. God spoke to him, and he raised
money without strings attached. His motto became, "God’s
work, done in God’s way, will not lack God’s support and
God’s blessing." The organization that he started as the
China Inland Mission is still alive today. The key is trusting
God, not men. If He wants it done, He will both show us and
provide the means to do it.
a.What would happen if the
church followed the principles laid down here?
b.Does it
really matter if we ask for money or not? Doesn’t God use all
means to do his work?
Chapter Twelve
Receive
everyone coming in the name of the Lord. Later, by testing him,
you will find out about him, where he deviates from the standard.
If the one coming is just traveling through, help him as much as
you can. He should not remain with you more than three days if
that is necessary.
But if he desires to settle among you
and has a trade, let him work for his bread. But if he has no
trade, you should provide for him according to your own
discretion. In no way should anyone live among you unemployed as
a Christian. And if he is not willing to do this, he is making a
trade of Christ. Beware of this kind of person.
Application:
The early church was a moving organism, not an
organization of the present day structural style. People were
moving around the countryside, and the message was being heard
that Christ was alive in people. The message was that He was the
power behind the changed lives. As people moved around, they
always had a bed to sleep in and food to eat. This was not
organized as much as it was experienced out of love. The
guide lines given here are practical.
a.If someone wants
to speak in our group and asks for money beforehand, does that
mean they might have wrong motives?
b.When radio and
television preachers ask for money and make a living by profit-
oriented organizations, is that good for the church? Do we have a
right to question this?
c.Should those ministering have a
trade or job so that their motives are not
questionable?
Scriptures:
Ps. 118:26
Deut.
17:11
Chapter Thirteen
But every genuine prophet
who desires to settle among you is worthy of his food. Likewise,
every genuine teacher is worthy; like a workman, he is worthy of
his food. Therefore, of all the first produce of the wine press
and the threshing floor, and of the oxen and the sheep, take the
first fruits and give it to the prophets. For they are your high
priests.
And if you do not have a prophet, give such first
fruits to the poor. If you should make bread, take it and give
according to the commandment. Likewise, if you have opened a jar
of wine or oil, take the first fruits and give to the prophets.
And also take the first fruits of your money and clothes and all
your possessions. As it seems best, give according to the
commandment.
Application:
Now this sounds like a
popularity offering; however if giving were totally related to
how much appreciation people had for the ministry of the servant
of God, then we would be truly giving to the Lord. Those who hear
from God and benefit others through their ministry would advance.
And those who have a title of pastor etc. would have no value and
would be eliminated from support financially if not ministry.
This is very practical rather then seeing it as not practical. It
goes back to people hearing from God to give rather then being
legalized into it by others or the group.
Again the Old
Testament style of taking care of the priestly office is what is
talked about here, showing that this writing was likely authored
by a Jewish Christian person who understood the principle he was
talking about.
a.If we practiced giving free style to
those who blessed us through their ministry, rather then legally,
would anyone advance into full time ministry?
b.Would
anyone be eliminated from ministry?
c.Who would object to
this practice the most?
Scriptures:
Deut.
18:4
Chapter Fourteen
And when coming together on
the Lord’s own day, break bread and give thanks after
confessing your transgressions. In that manner, your sacrifice
will be pure. And do not let anyone coming with a quarrel against
a brother join you until they get reconciled, in order that your
sacrifice is not impure. For this has been spoken of by the Lord,
‘in every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a
great King,’ says the Lord, ‘and My name is wonderful among
the nations."
Application:
One important
point in this chapter is right relationships in the church before
we worship or do anything. Having something or some secret anger
in your heart towards a brother or sister in the Lord will make
it so your prayers are not answered. This works in a church or in
a family or with a husband and wife. Secrets make a family
dysfunctional. Secret feelings make a church ineffective to grow.
The sacrifice is not like the medieval Catholic church
thinking of the mass, but the sacrifice of thanksgiving in
worship. It is in the experience of worship in all its
expressions that the presence of the Lord comes, and in that
presence God speaks to us. Why do we meet as a church? Is God
turned on by hymns, songs and preaching? We go to church to hear
the voice of God collectively. Right relationships and clean
hearts make that possible. We should leave the church meeting
saying ‘how awesome it was what God said to us today through
the whole experience.’
a.Could we have a greater
experience of Gods presence in our church?
b.Are there
people in the church we attend who don’t get along or hold
things against each other?
c.Is this important to remedy
or should we do business as usual or even ask some to leave the
church?
Scripture:
Mal. 1:11
Chapter
Fifteen
Appoint for yourselves, therefore bishops and
deacons worthy of the Lord: gentle men, not lovers of money, true
and approved. For they minister also to you the ministry of
prophets and teachers. Therefore, do not despise them, for they
are to be honored among you along with the prophets and
teachers.
Do not reprove one another in anger, but in
peace, as we have been shown in the Gospel. And do not let anyone
speak to a person who is unloving to his neighbor, nor let him
hear a word from you, until he repents.
Pray and give and
live as you have found in the Gospel of our Lord.
Application:
There is nothing wrong with being trained or educated in
the things of God. As has been said; "A heart strangely
warmed is no excuse for a head strangely empty." The problem
with the modern church is that we assume that education equals a
place in the church structure, but it is not guarantee of
spiritual maturity.
The church has been destroyed by
theological degrees. Most false ideas came into the church by
those who studied them from men. Think it through, no false idea
of doctrine has ever come from hearing God’s voice individually
or collectively. In the next chapter, we will share one such
false idea.
The other thing we notice here is that the
offices of the church were functional, not structural. The word
bishop meant overseer or just plain leader. The word deacon was a
servant leader to help with functional events, like cleaning up
after the meal. The overseers gave oversight, the deacons served,
the prophets prophesied, and the teachers taught. Notice there is
no other positions mentioned. There were as no cardinals, popes,
arch deacons, or any other wild inventions that took hundreds of
years in the making, and which were brought into the church to
control people.
It goes back to the principle I mentioned
earlier. Honor those who minister from God. Give enough freedom
of expression for people to develop their gifts of serving in the
church. Give gifts of monetary means to those who are recognized
as having God given talents and need, so they will have more time
to study or to serve. Evaluate character and motive and remove
those for a time who need to adjust this. It is so easy to lay
hands on someone, but it is hard to lay hands off. People should
not see that ministry today is a ticket to power, authority or
position forever.
a.Has my church invented positions that
are not in the early church?
b.Does my church have a
structure that controls what we should think or do, from some
headquarters or outside force or body?
c.Do we have
decision making times in our church to hear God and choose
leaders for short term ministry?
d.Are their leaders in
our church who think they are placed there by God and yet they
have not gotten the respect or approval of the people to whom
they are ministering?
Chapter Sixteen
Watch over
your life. Do not let your lamps be extinguished or your body
unclothed, but be ready; for you do not know the hour in which
our Lord comes.
Assemble yourselves together frequently to
seek the things that benefit your souls, for all the time of your
faith will not profit you unless you are perfect at the last. For
in the last days, false prophets and seducers will increase,
turning the sheep into wolves; and love will be turned into
hate.
For lawlessness will increase and they will hate and
persecute and betray one another. And then the deceiver of the
world will appear as though he were the Son of God, and he shall
do signs and wonders and the earth shall be delivered into his
hands; and he will commit immoralities which have never been done
since the age began.
Then shall the race of men come into
the fire of proving trial and many shall be made to stumble and
perish. But those who remain established in their faith shall be
saved under the very curse.
And then the signs of truth
shall be revealed. First, a sign spread out in heaven; then a
sign of the sound of a trumpet; and third, the resurrection of
the dead, but not all of the dead. But as it was said, "the
Lord shall come and all His Holy Ones with Him." Then the
world shall see the Lord coming in the clouds of heaven. -size:
10pt">© Tim Sauder
Application:
The
lamp’s he is talking about here is the light of Christ in our
lives. The deeds and fruit we produce are the clothing we will
wear in the spiritual world. God gave me a dream of this one
time. I had just committed a sin, and I knew it. In my sleep, God
showed me that I was clothed in rags. When I awoke, I understood
the meaning and repented of my sin.
Our lives are the
building of our future spiritual life in the world to come.
Missing this, we miss the whole meaning of becoming Christians.
God does not want to save us from the consequences of sin but
from the hold of sin in our lives. The reason the early church
stressed the risen Lord as the message, is that He was alive in
them to change their character and life. He was not there just to
save them from the consequences of sin through His death,
although He surely did that as well.
Last Days:
We
have been in the last days for 2000 years, so don’t forget this
fact. What seems to be given here is the Matt. 24 version of
events. The interpreting axiom applies here; ‘ If the plain
sense makes common sense, seek no other sense’. If you have to
manipulate the Bible to get some strange plan of events then it
is probably man made ideas.
a.Do you think Jesus wanted
to come sooner, and we didn’t listen or obey?
b.Does my
church teach false views of the second coming which make men and
their ability to interpret more important than what the church
should be and do?
c.What does the Bible tell me, (us) to
do or be, to speed up the Lords return?
Scriptures:
Matt. 24:14 24:29-31 Thess. 2: 3-8 1 Tim. 4:1 Jude 18-20
Note: You are free to copy and paste this translation of
the Didache for non-commercial use. All we ask is that you print
the copyright notice with it, together with the location of our
web page: www.scrollpublishing.com.
If you would like to
contact Tim Sauder, the translator of the Didache, he can be
contacted at: sauderdesign@yahoo.com.
A Historical Sketch
of the Didache
The Didache was discovered by Philotheos
Bryennios at Constantinople in the year 1873, but it was not
published until 1883. It excited the interests of many scholars,
because it was seen to be one of the roots or origins of a later
work called the Apostolic Constitutions, an instructional guide
for the church. The famous church historian, Philip Schaff, ranks
the Didache as first among the works of the post-apostolic age.1
There are a number of reasons for this and to us outside of the
New Testament. The following conclusions are drawn largely from
internal evidence of language and subject matter:
It is
evident that at the time of composition, an itinerant group of
prophets, apostles, and teachers were fluidly ministering to the
churches. It appears that in some cases, localized ministries,
such as bishops and deacons, had not yet been established. It is
also important to note that these itinerant ministries of
apostles, prophets, and teachers were still functioning as we see
them described in the pages of the New Testament. Apostles,
obviously other than the original twelve, were still establishing
churches. Prophets were still speaking prophetic utterances by
the Holy Spirit. Teachers were moving freely among the body of
believers.
The second internal evidence for an early date
of composition comes from the fact that only the two terms,
"bishop" and "deacon", are used to designate
those who ministered to the localized body. By the middle of the
second century, most churches had three offices: bishop, elder,
and deacon. However, during the time of Paul, the terms, "elder"
and "bishop" were used interchangeably. For example,
Paul used them interchangeably in Acts 20:17,28. The Didache,
therefore, confirms this practice. Most scholars have now
concluded that the terms, elder (presbyter), bishop (overseer),
and shepherd (pastor), all originally referred to one and the
same office.
It is appropriate, however, to note, as does
Ladd, that unity does not mean organizational uniformity, and the
early Christians could have been more flexible than we are as
regarding proper structure. Ladd rightly suggests that "the
presbyters acted as a college," which is clear from 1
Timothy 4:14, where Timothy was ordained by "the laying on
of hands of the presbytery."
The Didache reveals,
therefore, the initial structure of two functionaries—bishops
and deacons—working together in the local setting. Assisting
these were the numerous traveling ministries of apostles,
prophets, and teachers operating in a manner such as is described
in the fourth chapter of Ephesians. We find that the Didache
adheres very much to the Pauline principles of church structure,
with virtually no discrepancies.
Another early custom
alluded to by the Didache is that of the "love feast".
In chapter ten, the phrase, "after you are filled,"
gives us reason to believe that the Eucharist (communion) was
celebrated in conjunction with a common meal. This was
representative of the fellowship meals of Jesus with His original
twelve disciples. These early Christians meals are specifically
mentioned as a Christian practice in Jude 12 and in 2 Peter 2:13.
It is also alluded to by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11, where there
appears to have developed some problems surrounding it. It may be
because of such problems that, after Constantine, the church
eventually discontinued the love feasts. But it is evident from
the Didache and other early writings that they were carried on
for some time after the Apostles.
There is an early church
simplicity which is found in the Didache that is not seen in most
other ante-Nicene writings. The constant use of what appears to
be the Gospel of Matthew gives attestation to the early
composition and widespread use of that gospel at an early date.
Tradition tells us that Thomas took only this Gospel on his
missionary journey to India. It is interesting that the church of
our time is being called back to the Gospel as the basis for its
Christian message.
Christ’s words and Lordship come to
us in different ways. It is my desire that you will hear Him
speak again through the words of this early Christian writing,
the Didache (the teaching).
Tim
Sauder, Translator
1. Philip Schaff, History of
the Christian Church, vol.1 (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Pub. Company,1910), p.287.
2. G.E.Ladd, A Theology of
the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Comp)
p. 534.
About the Translator
Tim Sauder is a
Mennonite by belief system who graduated with a degree in
theology and a liberal arts degree in Biblical literature from
Oral Roberts University in 1973. He did post graduate studies in
Waterloo, Ontario, both in Greek and church government under the
Associated Mennonite Biblical seminaries. With experience in both
university evangelism and home groups, he has done church
planting and has experienced failure—which is the best teacher
of all. Now focusing on what God is saying in the new millennium
to the church, he offers this study to be used to open the church
up to the restoration of the "tabernacle of David,"
which was promised at the end of the age. The new church is not
to be a structure that is permanent, but like the tent of David.
God wants to renew the church to be flexible.
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