Von Christian
After taking a look at both the historical and social context in the last episode, we wanted to at least look at an important writing from the first century that was considered useful and even part of the biblical canon, but was ultimately not included in the final canon.
The Didachḕ
The Didachḕ [Διδαχὴ τῶν δώδεκα ἀποστόλων Didaché tõn dṓdeka apostól ōn, ‚Doctrine of the Twelve Apostles‘), consists of a catechism (moral teaching), a divine service order and a “small apocalypse” and was written around 100-110 AD. Initially it was counted among the canonical writings, but later it was no longer.
The work is divided into 16 chapters, each with three sections and a conclusio.
- Chapters 1–6: Overview of Christian ethics in two ways: the way of life and death
- Chapters 7–10: Liturgy of the Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Lent/Fasting, Prayer)
- Chapters 11–15: disciplinary instructions, church order (itinerant teachers, prophets, divine service, church elections)
- Chapter 16: Final Chapter: Eschatology
Some quotations from it (German translation from the ‚Library of the Church Fathers‚ at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland):
5: Do not be like one who stretches out his hands to receive, but with closed hands refuses to give. If you have something in your hands, give it as an atonement for your sins.
7: 1. Regarding baptism, do it this way: If you have said all of the above, “baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” in running water. 2. But if you don’t have running water, then baptize in any other water; if you can’t do it in cold water, do it in warm. 3. If you have neither, then pour water three times over the head “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 4. Before baptism, let the baptizer, the person being baptized, and whoever else can fast; let the person being baptized fast for a day or two beforehand.
9: Concerning the Eucharist, hold it thus: 2. First, concerning the cup: We thank Thee, our Father, for the Holy Vine of David Thy servant, whom Thou didst make known to us through Jesus, Thy servant; to Thee be honor forever. 3. And concerning the broken bread: We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge that You have made known to us through Jesus, Your servant; to You be the glory forever and ever. 4. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and gathered together became one, so may Your congregation be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom; because Yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever and ever. 5. But no one may eat or drink of your Eucharist unless they have been baptized in the name of the Lord. For the Lord has also said about this: “Do not give what is holy to dogs.”
11: As for the apostles and prophets, hold them in high regard in accordance with the command of the gospel. 4. Every apostle who comes to you is to be received as the Lord; 5. but he is not to stay longer than one day; if necessity, then for a second; but if he tarry three days, then is he a false prophet. 6. And if the apostle depart, let him take with him only bread so long as he cometh again; but if he seek money, he is a false prophet. … 12. But if anyone says in the spirit, ‚Give me money or something else,‘ do not listen to him; but if he asks for gifts for others in need, no one shall judge him.
15: 1. Choose for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are mild and free from greed, who love the truth and are tested; for they are the ones who, for you, provide the (holy) service of the prophets and teachers.
Didachḕ Chapter 5:5,6; Chapter 7; Chapter 9; Chapter 11, Chapter 15
You can already see where the journey is headed here. If there are any traditional instructions from Jesus in the New Testament at all, such as those regarding baptism, then they are very brief. And so many questions remain unanswered. And things that need to be decided. And the congregations began to record and pass on certain decisions. Be it in terms of doctrine or procedure. After all, you don’t want to decide one way today and differently tomorrow, do you? And we will see exactly this development again when we look at how it works in a Zoom congregation today.