Musings - Teachings by the Twelve Apostles to the Nations (2 of 2)

Hebraic Musings - Teachings by the Twelve Apostles to the Nations (2 of 2)

The book almost included in the Bible is a short book called “The Didache”, commonly known as “The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations”.  It is one of the earliest preserved writings, dated from AD 50 to 80.  Last week we explored behavior, morality and Christian attitudes in chapters 1-6. This week in chapters 7 to 16 “The Didache” deals with affairs, practices and conduct of the early church.  How do these selected quotes/statements in italics line up with our practices today?

7:1 Concerning baptism, you should baptize this way: After first explaining all things, baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in flowing water.  (the flowing, living water requirement is Jewish custom)  7:2 But if you have no running water, baptize in other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, then in warm. 7:3 If you have very little, pour water three times on the head in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. (The practice of some denominations) 

7:4 Before the baptism, both the baptizer and the candidate for baptism, plus any others who can, should fast. The candidate should fast for one or two days beforehand.  (How significant were their Baptisms?)

8:2 And do not pray like the hypocrites, but rather as the Lord commanded in the gospel: Our Father …  .  8:3 Pray this three times each day.  (An alternative to the Jews’ custom of reciting the Sh’ma 3x/day)

9:5 Allow no one to eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized in the name of the Lord. … the Lord has said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs."  (Advocating “closed communion”)

10:1 After the Eucharist when you are filled, give thanks…: (Jews pray after the meal per Deut. 8:10) 

11 Welcome the Teacher …  11:2 But if he turns and trains you in another tradition to the destruction of this teaching, do not listen. 11:4 Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord.  11:5 But he must not remain more than one day, or two, if there's a need. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet.

11:6 And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread to last him until his next night of lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. 11:8 But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; only he is a prophet who has the ways of the Lord about him. By their ways will the false prophet and the prophet be known.   11:10 And any prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. (They had the problem of “false prophets” then too!)

12:1 Welcome anyone coming in the name of the Lord. … but then, test them and use your discretion. 12:2 If he who comes is a transient, assist him as far as you are able; but he should not remain with you more than two or three days, …  12:4 But if he has no trade, use your judgment …; for a Christian should not live idle in your midst.   (Should Christians be anxious to get off welfare.)  12:5 If he is dissatisfied …, he is a Christ peddler. … keep away from such people.   (“Christ peddler” - interesting concept.)

13:6 If you open a new jar of wine or of oil, take the first fruit and give it to the prophets.

14:1 On the Lord's day, gather yourselves together and break bread, give thanks, but first confess your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. (The Catholic mass opens with a time of introspection & repentance)  14:2 However, let no one who is at odds with his brother come together with you, until he has reconciled,…

16:1 Watch over your life 16:5 Then humankind will enter into the fire of trial, and many will be made to stumble and many will perish; but those who endure in their faith will be saved from under the curse itself.  (Teaching that the chaff gets burned up first; the good grain remains --the belief of the early church!)

Points to ponder

Should we re-examine some of our practices which have been relaxed?

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,”  Eph. 6:7

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                           May 9, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage” “Musings - A Victorious Life”  “Musings - The Torah and New Testament”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note:  Quotes in italics from The Didache -- complete text translated and edited by Tony Jones, Creative Commons license.  And references are those used in that translation.  The entire “The Didache” is attached.