The Didache

Laindon Bible Class 16 June 2010

What is it?

• Pronunciation “did-arc-hay”

The Didache (pronounced /ˈdɪdəkiː/; Koine Greek: Διδαχή, Didachē "Teaching";[1] Modern Greek [ðiðaˈxi]) is the common name of a brief early Christian treatise (dated by most scholars to the late first/early second century[2]). “The Didache of the Twelve Apostles” had been written and widely disseminated by about 100 C.E., and became increasingly important in the second and third Christian centuries.[3] It is an anonymous work not belonging to any single individual, and a pastoral manual "that reveals more about how Jewish-Christians saw themselves and how they adapted their Judaism for gentiles than any other book in the Christian Scriptures.“ (Wikipedia)

Is it reliable?• Published by P Bryennios 1883• Re-discovered in a monastery in Constantinople• Fragments found from 3rd century, widespread

from Egypt to Rome.• Quotations widespread in 2nd and 3rd century

church literature (e.g. Tertullian, Didymus, Eusebius, Athanasius)

• Earliest references to it in The Epistle of Barnabas (130AD)

• Based on internal evidence scholars date it from 50AD to 150AD, general consensus c.100AD

• Most place its origin in Syria, possibly Antioch

How should we view it?• It is not inspired• A reflection of how the Apostles’ teaching was

heard and applied.

Original NTSources

Contents

1-6 The way of life and the way of death

7-15 A manual for ecclesial order and practice– Baptism– Prayer– Eucharist– Apostles and prophets– Appointment of ecclesial roles

16 Warning to watch for the day of the Lord

The Way of Life and Death

1:3-5 based on Sermon on Mount

1:5 emphasis on giving/receiving

2:1-3 based on 10 commandments

3:1-6 avoid things leading to evil

5:1-2 the Way of Death

6:1-2 close of section

Many allusions to Old and New Testaments

Ecclesial Practice (1)

6:3 Food offered to idols – reflects an early Gentile ecclesial issue

7:1-4Baptism preparation and practice

8:1 Fasting

8:2 Regular prayers

9:1- Eucharist (thanksgiving meal), wine before bread, no mention of what they symbolise or forgiveness of sins

Ecclesial Practice (2)11:3 teachers, apostles, prophets not to be

chargeable to ecclesias (2 Cor 11)

11:7 prophets to be tested (1 Jn 4:1, 3:7) by both teaching and conduct

12:1 welcome visitors but examine them

13:1 prophet worthy of his hire – as double honour (put a value on) in 1 Tim 5:17

14:1 confession of sins before break bread

15:2 appoint deacons etc as Acts 6:3

Conclusions

• Mostly sound, consistent use of scripture

• Recognisable NT ecclesial practice

• Emphasis on appropriate giving/receiving or manifestation of fellowship in Acts 2:42

• Importance of testing consistency of both teaching and conduct of those who come to the ecclesia

• After 2,000 years – same struggles and the same hope!