The Didache, How did the Catholic Christian Community in the first century practice their faith?
Aug 31, 2018 13:02:30 #
OPP Forum members, and Faith, Religion and spirituality readers.
The Didache, How did the Catholic Christian Community in the first century practice their faith?
Please download and read The Didache, pronounced Didakhé, or "Teaching" Greek: literally: a teaching, from didaskein, to teach.
Download and read it for yourself in the "Didache," a brief text from the earliest Catholic Christian Community: on fasting, Baptism, Prayer on the Holy Eucharist, and how to show love for one another.
Free. https://www.paracletepress.com/Promotions/Pages/didache%20.html
Free. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04779a.htm
$.99 cents. https://www.amazon.com/Didache-Twelve-Apostles-Early-Christians-ebook/dp/B00315684S
The Didache,
Is an early handbook of an anonymous Christian Catholic community, “is the most important book you've never heard of.” It spells out a way of life for Jesus-followers, including how to show one another the love of God, how to practice the Eucharist, and how to take in wandering prophets. Likely written before many of the New Testament books, this little-known text can enlighten the way that Christian are church, today.
Who would have thought we'd ever get to read a "How To" book written by first century Catholic Christians practiced their faith: On Baptism, on Fasting, Prayer, and Sunday Worship and Sacramental Eucharistic observance, all from a 1st Century Christian perspective. These are the people who lived while the Apostles walked in their midst. Who wouldn't want to read what they had to say and know the Church understanding, theology implications and teaching of their Christian faith?
The Early Church Fathers, and the Didache, will solidify our foundation of the one true and Apostolic Catholic Christian Church teachings of Jesus Christ, the apostles and the writings of the Early Church Patristic Fathers. These manuscripts and letters give a firm footing and understanding of the Old and New Testament Bible. That Sacred Tradition and writings of the Church fathers is not lost. It is not the "Bible Alone" e.g. "Sola Scriptura" that gives us Christians insight to the historical antiquity of our Christian Faith that is ignored by many fundamentalists and independent church thinkers.
The Didache, was discovered in a monastery in Constantinople and published by P. Bryennios in 1883, the Didache or "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles."
This Church document would should have been a major influence on the reformation protestant leaders writings and theology by. e.g. Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox, Wesley and other church leaders? They the reformation leaders did not have access to form their Protestant Christian beliefs The Didache is mentioned by Eusebius of Caesarea, known as the "Father of Church history" 260–340 A.D. but The Didache, manuscript was lost in antiquity only to be re-discovered in 1883 A.D. There are many translations and writings are available for download and purchase.
The Didache is a must-read. It is one of the earliest Christian texts, about as old as the New Testament Gospels themselves--and in fact, many of the Church Fathers who compiled the Gospels thought it belonged in the New Testament Bible. It was possibly written around 65 - 100 A.D. and is what the twelve Apostles taught and preached. The Didache is a great summary of the precepts of the Catholic church. The ancient origin of the work is interesting since it was written as a means of spreading the Word of God in primitive times.
The Letters of Reading Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Irenaeus of Lyons and Saint John Chrysostrom and many of the early church fathers individually would be a nice supplement to go with this book because the church father's go more in depth about godly living as well as giving certain first-hand accounts of what the apostle Peter, Paul or John had to say on these matters, while reflecting on certain events which affected them and the Church teachings. It is amazing how the what we teach has not changed and changed over 2000 years. It makes me appreciate my Catholic Church all the much more.
Did you know that their are 0ver 8,000 thousand Saints in the Church history ? So I encourage you to, check out the Early Church Patristic Fathers in the below URL link.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Church_Fathers
It is essential to know what our early church fathers and the apostles received and handed down to us, as we all live the life of discipleship, and we pass down what we received from the fathers who received from the apostles who received from our lord Jesus Christ. Because it is a guide, a "how-to" to the Christian faith for new converts, The Didache is a document of extraordinary historic value, in helping us understand the roots of the most successful religious movement in history. The Dideche is brief summary of the Christian faith as understood by the first century Christians, before any of the New Testament was written down. You'll find many similarities to the Gospels and many of the New Testament Epistles books. e.g. Paul, John, Peter, Jude and James
Although the Didache, is not a part of the Bible, but it is the most valuable non-Biblical text from the early Apostolic period. There is nothing in it which conflicts with the New Testament. The Didache is a rebuttal to those who say that Christianity and its traditions were made up in the 4th and 5th century. The Didache's manuscript words prove the reformation leaders them wrong. The Christian appetite is to dig digger into the roots of Christianity. It will open your eyes to see things clearly. It is a great starter...and then keep reading, because there are many books on what the Early Fathers taught. It is amazing to have writings that span thousands of years and found after all these thousands of years.
I approach this earliest manuscript and teaching of the Church regarding the legacy of Christ! The more things change, the more that they are the same. Anyone doubting the authenticity of the Apostolic teaching on the Mass (λιτουργία) and Confession. These sacraments were there from the very beginning, as you can see for yourself. For those unfamiliar, this work was very nearly made a part of Scripture. In her wisdom, the Church left it out of the New Testament canon; however it detracts not one jot from its truth and beauty.
I find it encouraging how much the Church today still holds to the same worship, practices, and understanding as the first and second century Church. It's hard for me understand how anyone could miss the Catholicity of the original disciples of Christ. It confirms much of what is canonized in the Catholic Church and taught in the Catholic Catechism. Helpful in testing those who claim in the Name of Christ and the practices of their faith.
Because it emerges from the same Apostolic Church, from which the New Testament emerged, it is also a document of very high theological value. It shows that most of the core concepts of orthodox Christianity as we know them today, such as the Eucharist, were already very much present in the earliest churches. It shows a simple, demanding guide to practice our Christian faith.
The Didache, or "The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," is probably the most important church document outside of the Bible itself. Why?
I Love these close-to-the-source First Century manuscripts, penned by the Church Fathers, and others who actually knew walked and talked with the Apostles. For those interested in the development within the early Christian movement before the Gospels were written, this shows the way the early disciples thought preached the Message of Jesus Christ. It is Christianity simplified but not a modern watered down Christianity. It answers many questions on why the Catholic Church, which holds fast to much of Christ's teaching, Church Cannon, Dogma, Magisterium teachings and the Catechism of the Catholic faith.
We Christians need to know where our Christian faith came from, I just wish the Early Church Patristic Fathers writings had been more available, to give me more insight on the writings of the early Christian patristic fathers of my Christian faith.
If you are Catholic, you need to read this. And if you are Non-Catholic it is a must read to open you're mind, heart body soul of Christian understanding. It is the original catechism written by the Fathers of the Church in the first century. Very concise, and to the point. They do not mince words or try to be politically correct. I recommend it for those who want to read first hand what the original leaders of the Catholic church had to say about their faith and morals.
This manuscript is largely absent in Christian teaching, because of its extreme antiquity and lost manuscripts of while we have some of the writings of the Church Fathers (for example Clement of Rome) that date to the mid-to-end of the first century A.D., the Didache is now confirmed and dated to that same period. This makes it, along with Clement's letters, the oldest Christian documents outside the New Testament.
What makes the Didache of such great importance as well is its authoritative nature. Rather than being a letter written by an individual bishop, the Didache is an authoritative manual for the Church community. It was also highly esteemed by the early church, even being considered by a few to be a part of the New Testament canon.
The value of the Didache also lies in the invaluable insights it gives into the beliefs and practices of the early church. This, combined with its very early age, make it worth the time for any serious Christian to study, if they want to understand not only the early Church but also the New Testament better.
1. The first section deals with "The Two Ways" (the way of life and the way of death) and occupies the first 6 chapter. But it's some of the rest of the material that is especially valuable. Chapters 7-10, for example, give us a rare and valuable insight into the practices of Baptism, fasting, praying, and the Eucharist of the early Church. One of the most interesting reads concerns the blessing on the Eucharistic communion during the Mass, and the traditional blessing found in the Modern day Mass.
Having been written so close to the time of the apostles and the writings of the New Testament, these sections shed exceptional light on what the early Church believed and how it practiced the faith. Though the Didache's instructions for the Lord's Day are brief, and they clearly demonstrate that the Eucharist was the main service of the Church on the Lord's Day.
Finally, the most astounding prescience comes in this passage:
Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets.
Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord.
Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets.
But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.
The Fathers conducted themselves as you would expect: loving while cautious of false prophets play assortment of games to grandiose themselves.
So I hope and pray that you have a better fullness and spiritual understanding of the "Fullness of the Catholic-Universal Church."
And I plant these mustard seeds of hope, faith, charity and especially agape love. That you may know the tenderness and fullness of the Catholic-Universal Church and faith.
Saint Augustine said "Late Have I Loved you, oh beauty everlasting, I searched for you outside, but you were within." Augustine poem was speaking about the The Holy Eucharist.
A quotation by Anglican convert and apologist Cardinal John Henry Newman said, “To be deep in history, is to cease to be Protestant.”
I strongly urge all Christians to watch and listen to "The Journey Home" programs by Marcus Grodi on the Coming Home network ? And "Deep in History" video program series.
a. https://www.chnetwork.org/journey-home/
b. https://www.ewtn.com/tv/live/journeyhome.asp
c. https://www.youtube.com/watchjourney-home
d. https://www.youtube.com/watch-deep-in-history
Deep In History - The Early Church Fathers & the Mystery of John 6:53 - Msgr. Frank Lane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=filV-JMFc98&frags=pl%2Cwn
The Didache, How did the Catholic Christian Community in the first century practice their faith?
Please download and read The Didache, pronounced Didakhé, or "Teaching" Greek: literally: a teaching, from didaskein, to teach.
Download and read it for yourself in the "Didache," a brief text from the earliest Catholic Christian Community: on fasting, Baptism, Prayer on the Holy Eucharist, and how to show love for one another.
Free. https://www.paracletepress.com/Promotions/Pages/didache%20.html
Free. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04779a.htm
$.99 cents. https://www.amazon.com/Didache-Twelve-Apostles-Early-Christians-ebook/dp/B00315684S
The Didache,
Is an early handbook of an anonymous Christian Catholic community, “is the most important book you've never heard of.” It spells out a way of life for Jesus-followers, including how to show one another the love of God, how to practice the Eucharist, and how to take in wandering prophets. Likely written before many of the New Testament books, this little-known text can enlighten the way that Christian are church, today.
Who would have thought we'd ever get to read a "How To" book written by first century Catholic Christians practiced their faith: On Baptism, on Fasting, Prayer, and Sunday Worship and Sacramental Eucharistic observance, all from a 1st Century Christian perspective. These are the people who lived while the Apostles walked in their midst. Who wouldn't want to read what they had to say and know the Church understanding, theology implications and teaching of their Christian faith?
The Early Church Fathers, and the Didache, will solidify our foundation of the one true and Apostolic Catholic Christian Church teachings of Jesus Christ, the apostles and the writings of the Early Church Patristic Fathers. These manuscripts and letters give a firm footing and understanding of the Old and New Testament Bible. That Sacred Tradition and writings of the Church fathers is not lost. It is not the "Bible Alone" e.g. "Sola Scriptura" that gives us Christians insight to the historical antiquity of our Christian Faith that is ignored by many fundamentalists and independent church thinkers.
The Didache, was discovered in a monastery in Constantinople and published by P. Bryennios in 1883, the Didache or "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles."
This Church document would should have been a major influence on the reformation protestant leaders writings and theology by. e.g. Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox, Wesley and other church leaders? They the reformation leaders did not have access to form their Protestant Christian beliefs The Didache is mentioned by Eusebius of Caesarea, known as the "Father of Church history" 260–340 A.D. but The Didache, manuscript was lost in antiquity only to be re-discovered in 1883 A.D. There are many translations and writings are available for download and purchase.
The Didache is a must-read. It is one of the earliest Christian texts, about as old as the New Testament Gospels themselves--and in fact, many of the Church Fathers who compiled the Gospels thought it belonged in the New Testament Bible. It was possibly written around 65 - 100 A.D. and is what the twelve Apostles taught and preached. The Didache is a great summary of the precepts of the Catholic church. The ancient origin of the work is interesting since it was written as a means of spreading the Word of God in primitive times.
The Letters of Reading Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Irenaeus of Lyons and Saint John Chrysostrom and many of the early church fathers individually would be a nice supplement to go with this book because the church father's go more in depth about godly living as well as giving certain first-hand accounts of what the apostle Peter, Paul or John had to say on these matters, while reflecting on certain events which affected them and the Church teachings. It is amazing how the what we teach has not changed and changed over 2000 years. It makes me appreciate my Catholic Church all the much more.
Did you know that their are 0ver 8,000 thousand Saints in the Church history ? So I encourage you to, check out the Early Church Patristic Fathers in the below URL link.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Church_Fathers
It is essential to know what our early church fathers and the apostles received and handed down to us, as we all live the life of discipleship, and we pass down what we received from the fathers who received from the apostles who received from our lord Jesus Christ. Because it is a guide, a "how-to" to the Christian faith for new converts, The Didache is a document of extraordinary historic value, in helping us understand the roots of the most successful religious movement in history. The Dideche is brief summary of the Christian faith as understood by the first century Christians, before any of the New Testament was written down. You'll find many similarities to the Gospels and many of the New Testament Epistles books. e.g. Paul, John, Peter, Jude and James
Although the Didache, is not a part of the Bible, but it is the most valuable non-Biblical text from the early Apostolic period. There is nothing in it which conflicts with the New Testament. The Didache is a rebuttal to those who say that Christianity and its traditions were made up in the 4th and 5th century. The Didache's manuscript words prove the reformation leaders them wrong. The Christian appetite is to dig digger into the roots of Christianity. It will open your eyes to see things clearly. It is a great starter...and then keep reading, because there are many books on what the Early Fathers taught. It is amazing to have writings that span thousands of years and found after all these thousands of years.
I approach this earliest manuscript and teaching of the Church regarding the legacy of Christ! The more things change, the more that they are the same. Anyone doubting the authenticity of the Apostolic teaching on the Mass (λιτουργία) and Confession. These sacraments were there from the very beginning, as you can see for yourself. For those unfamiliar, this work was very nearly made a part of Scripture. In her wisdom, the Church left it out of the New Testament canon; however it detracts not one jot from its truth and beauty.
I find it encouraging how much the Church today still holds to the same worship, practices, and understanding as the first and second century Church. It's hard for me understand how anyone could miss the Catholicity of the original disciples of Christ. It confirms much of what is canonized in the Catholic Church and taught in the Catholic Catechism. Helpful in testing those who claim in the Name of Christ and the practices of their faith.
Because it emerges from the same Apostolic Church, from which the New Testament emerged, it is also a document of very high theological value. It shows that most of the core concepts of orthodox Christianity as we know them today, such as the Eucharist, were already very much present in the earliest churches. It shows a simple, demanding guide to practice our Christian faith.
The Didache, or "The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," is probably the most important church document outside of the Bible itself. Why?
I Love these close-to-the-source First Century manuscripts, penned by the Church Fathers, and others who actually knew walked and talked with the Apostles. For those interested in the development within the early Christian movement before the Gospels were written, this shows the way the early disciples thought preached the Message of Jesus Christ. It is Christianity simplified but not a modern watered down Christianity. It answers many questions on why the Catholic Church, which holds fast to much of Christ's teaching, Church Cannon, Dogma, Magisterium teachings and the Catechism of the Catholic faith.
We Christians need to know where our Christian faith came from, I just wish the Early Church Patristic Fathers writings had been more available, to give me more insight on the writings of the early Christian patristic fathers of my Christian faith.
If you are Catholic, you need to read this. And if you are Non-Catholic it is a must read to open you're mind, heart body soul of Christian understanding. It is the original catechism written by the Fathers of the Church in the first century. Very concise, and to the point. They do not mince words or try to be politically correct. I recommend it for those who want to read first hand what the original leaders of the Catholic church had to say about their faith and morals.
This manuscript is largely absent in Christian teaching, because of its extreme antiquity and lost manuscripts of while we have some of the writings of the Church Fathers (for example Clement of Rome) that date to the mid-to-end of the first century A.D., the Didache is now confirmed and dated to that same period. This makes it, along with Clement's letters, the oldest Christian documents outside the New Testament.
What makes the Didache of such great importance as well is its authoritative nature. Rather than being a letter written by an individual bishop, the Didache is an authoritative manual for the Church community. It was also highly esteemed by the early church, even being considered by a few to be a part of the New Testament canon.
The value of the Didache also lies in the invaluable insights it gives into the beliefs and practices of the early church. This, combined with its very early age, make it worth the time for any serious Christian to study, if they want to understand not only the early Church but also the New Testament better.
1. The first section deals with "The Two Ways" (the way of life and the way of death) and occupies the first 6 chapter. But it's some of the rest of the material that is especially valuable. Chapters 7-10, for example, give us a rare and valuable insight into the practices of Baptism, fasting, praying, and the Eucharist of the early Church. One of the most interesting reads concerns the blessing on the Eucharistic communion during the Mass, and the traditional blessing found in the Modern day Mass.
Having been written so close to the time of the apostles and the writings of the New Testament, these sections shed exceptional light on what the early Church believed and how it practiced the faith. Though the Didache's instructions for the Lord's Day are brief, and they clearly demonstrate that the Eucharist was the main service of the Church on the Lord's Day.
Finally, the most astounding prescience comes in this passage:
Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets.
Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord.
Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets.
But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.
The Fathers conducted themselves as you would expect: loving while cautious of false prophets play assortment of games to grandiose themselves.
So I hope and pray that you have a better fullness and spiritual understanding of the "Fullness of the Catholic-Universal Church."
And I plant these mustard seeds of hope, faith, charity and especially agape love. That you may know the tenderness and fullness of the Catholic-Universal Church and faith.
Saint Augustine said "Late Have I Loved you, oh beauty everlasting, I searched for you outside, but you were within." Augustine poem was speaking about the The Holy Eucharist.
A quotation by Anglican convert and apologist Cardinal John Henry Newman said, “To be deep in history, is to cease to be Protestant.”
I strongly urge all Christians to watch and listen to "The Journey Home" programs by Marcus Grodi on the Coming Home network ? And "Deep in History" video program series.
a. https://www.chnetwork.org/journey-home/
b. https://www.ewtn.com/tv/live/journeyhome.asp
c. https://www.youtube.com/watchjourney-home
d. https://www.youtube.com/watch-deep-in-history
Deep In History - The Early Church Fathers & the Mystery of John 6:53 - Msgr. Frank Lane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=filV-JMFc98&frags=pl%2Cwn
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