Answers for a Friend – The Didache
December 22, 2002
Dear Friends,
This week we will consider a document called “The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles through the Twelve Apostles.” This work is better know by the title “The Didache” (i.e. The Teaching). There are two parts to this work. The first part concerns itself with the two ways — one to life and one to death. The second part deals with various parts of ecclesial life including the Lord’s Supper and baptism.
The Didache confirms many Christadelphian teachings such as adult baptism by immersion, the Kingdom of God on earth, the resurrection and a non-paid ministry. The author is unknown. The date is more than likely very early as it is referenced in other later writings. The best estimate of the writing is between 50-120 AD.
Concerning baptism, the writer states “But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Having first recited all these things, baptize {in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit} in living (running) water. But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm. But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Didache 7:1-7:5) With the exception of the “no water” scenario, this is perfectly in keeping with Christadelphian teaching on baptism. As it is hard to imagine a common “no water” scenario even with Israel next to the little traveled Arabian desert, perhaps the “no water” scenario had to do someone being in prison. Later, the writer confirms the Christadelphian practice of offering the bread and the wine only to baptized believers. “But let no one eat or drink of this eucharistic thanksgiving, but they that have been baptized into the name of the Lord (9:10)
The Kingdom of God on earth is mentioned several times in the work. Quoting from the Lord’s Prayer, the writer says “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth.” He also says “As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one, so may 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 and ever. (9:8-10) Once again the future Kingdom of God on earth is alluded to when he states “Remember, Lord, Thy Church to deliver it from all evil and to perfect it in Thy love; and {gather it together from the four winds}–even the Church which has been sanctified–into Thy kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it; (10:8,9)
Concerning pay for preaching, the author of the Didache says “Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received as the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, (two days)* a but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet. And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he findeth shelter; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.” (11:5-9) In a day and age when public ministries have more in common with large corporations and every sermon includes a pitch for money, Christadelphian have long distanced themselves with this practice.
On a fairly minor point, but interesting nevertheless, the author tells the readers “And on the Lord’s own day gather yourselves together and break bread and give thanks, first confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.” (14:1) Another modern practice of many churches is to not to remember the Lord each week in the bread and the wine, but have special Sundays in which this takes place. Many Christians just don’t attend church except on special occasions. Christadelphians worldwide continue to remember Christ each week.
Finally, touching the resurrection, the author states “{And then shall the signs} of the truth {appear;} first a sign of a rift in the heaven, then a sign of a voice of a trumpet, and thirdly a resurrection of the dead; yet not of all, but as it was said: {The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him. Then shall} the world {see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.} (16:13-17) The “Hope of Israel” is confirmed to be the resurrection of the dead at the Second Coming of Christ rather than ascension to heaven.
Have a great week!
