Part of a series. Today: The Didache, a.k.a. The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles.
An encyclopedia entry on the Didache goes like this:
(dĬd´ekē) [Gr.,=teaching], early Christian work written in Greek.... Dates for its composition suggested by scholars have ranged from AD 50 to AD 150. Discovered in 1875 by Bryennios, Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Nicomedia, it is an invaluable primary source for the primitive church. The first part is a collection of moral precepts, perhaps based on rabbinical teachings (there are many quotations from the Old Testament); the second portion gives directions for baptism and the Eucharist; the third contains directions for bishops and deacons. The Didache may be of composite authorship. A short work, it has been published in English translation in collections of patristic literature.
I'm interested in the directions for baptism and the Eucharist. Here is the Didache on baptism:
And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.
I assume that by living water the writer means "running water," as in a river or stream. Notice that immersion is preferred (otherwise, why "baptize into other water?") but that pouring the water is allowed.
This passage implies an adult baptism, I think, because of the reference to fasting. (It doesn't exclude baptism of children, though.) Today, we ordinarily receive adults into the Church, baptizing them if necessary, during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Good Friday, the day before Holy Saturday, is a day of fasting; so the catechumens (those to be baptized) indeed fast one day before their baptism (although not typically on Holy Saturday).
What does this work from c. 100 A.D. say about the Eucharist?
Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way. First, concerning the cup:
We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever..
And concerning the broken bread:
We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom; for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever..
But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."
Mainly, a formula for the Eucharistic Prayer, and an admonition that the Eucharist is reserved to the baptized.
There's a vague reference, too, to some type of confession, probably a public one:
In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience.
It's a very short work, a quick read.
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