Didache

Definition

The Didache, also known as 'The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,' is an early Christian text that provides insights into the beliefs, practices, and organization of the Christian community during its formative years. It serves as a guide for moral living, baptism, fasting, and the Eucharist, reflecting the challenges faced by early Christians, especially in light of persecution and the need for community structure and cohesion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Didache is believed to have been written in the late first or early second century, making it one of the earliest Christian documents outside the New Testament.
2. It provides practical instructions for church leaders on how to conduct baptisms, celebrate the Eucharist, and maintain ethical conduct among believers.
3. The text emphasizes community unity and moral integrity as essential for facing external pressures, including persecution from Roman authorities.
4. The Didache includes a section known as 'The Two Ways,' which outlines a path of righteousness versus a path of wickedness, emphasizing moral choices for believers.
5. Despite its significance, the Didache was not included in the canonical Bible, reflecting the diverse beliefs and practices present in early Christianity.

Review Questions

• How does the Didache reflect the challenges faced by early Christians in terms of organization and community living?
  • The Didache addresses the necessity of structured community living amidst external pressures such as persecution. By providing guidelines on moral conduct, rituals like baptism and Eucharist, and roles for church leaders, it helped create a cohesive community that could withstand challenges. The text's emphasis on ethical living and communal support showcases how early Christians sought to maintain their faith in a hostile environment.
• Discuss how the Didache contributes to our understanding of early Christian practices and beliefs in contrast to later orthodox teachings.
  • The Didache offers valuable insights into early Christian practices that predate formalized doctrines found in later orthodoxy. Its focus on direct moral instructions and communal rituals reveals a more grassroots approach to faith before institutional structures took shape. This contrasts with later orthodox teachings that often emphasized theology over practical living, showing how beliefs evolved over time within Christianity.
• Evaluate the significance of the Didache's moral teachings within the context of early Christian persecution and its impact on community identity.
  • The moral teachings found in the Didache are significant as they provided a framework for early Christians to navigate their faith during times of persecution. By encouraging ethical behavior and communal responsibility, these teachings helped forge a strong group identity among believers. This sense of belonging was crucial when facing external threats, allowing early Christians to unite under shared values while reinforcing their commitment to maintaining their faith amid adversity.

Related terms

Martyrdom: The act of suffering death for one's beliefs, particularly in the context of early Christians who were persecuted for refusing to renounce their faith.

Apocryphal Texts: Writings that were not included in the canonical Bible, often containing teachings or stories about Jesus and his followers that were considered outside mainstream Christianity.

Baptism: A Christian sacrament of initiation and purification, symbolizing the believer's faith in Christ and their entry into the Christian community.