Didache: The Oldest Church Manual
Phillip Schaff
Number of quotes: 18
Book ID: 254 Page: 36/37
Section: 2A1
The oldest baptismal pictures in the Roman Catacombs may be traced to the close of the second century.….
But as far as they go these pictures confirm the river-Baptism prescribed by the Didache as the normal form, in imitation of the typical Baptism in the Jordan. They all represent the baptized as standing in a stream, and the baptizer on dry ground; the former is nude, the latter is more or less robed.
….
The unclothing of the candidate was a universal custom in the ancient Church and regarded as essential. Hence the baptisteries were commonly divided into two distinct apartments, the one for men, the other for women.
Quote ID: 6394
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 41
Section: 2A1
River-Baptism gradually ceased when Baptisteries began to be built in the age of Constantine in or near the churches, with all the conveniences for the performance of the rite. They are very numerous, especially in Italy. They went out of use when immersion ceased in the West. The last is said to have been built at Pistoia, in Italy, A.D. 1337.
Quote ID: 6395
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 114
Section: 2A4
The Didache is no modern or ancient forgery, but has every internal evidence of very great antiquity and genuineness. It serves no party purpose, and disappoints all parties. “No one,” says Bishop Lightfoot, “could or would have forged it.” The existence of the Jerusalem MS. is placed beyond all doubt by a number of witnesses and the facsimiles which we published, pp. 5 and 6; and the conjecture that Bryennios wrote it, is not only contemptible but absurd. The forger, then, must have been Leo “the sinner,” who wrote the MS. in 1056, or some older sinner from whom he copied. But it can be proven that the Didache is identical, at least substance, with a book of that name which was known to the early fathers, and then disappeared for centuries.
Quote ID: 6396
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 122
Section: 2A4
We may therefore assign the Didache with some confidence to the closing years of the first century, say between A.D. 90 and 100.….
The views of scholars still vary considerably, but seem to incline with increasing unanimity to a very early date.
Quote ID: 6397
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 168/169
Section: 4B
2. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not corrupt boys; thou shalt not commit fornication. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not use witchcraft; thou shalt not practice sorcery. Thou shalt not procure abortion, nor shalt thou kill the new-born child. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.….
An unnatural and revolting vice very prevalent among the heathen, even among the best classes in Greece, but severely condemned by the Mosaic law, as an abomination punishable with death, Lev. xviii. 22; xx. 13, and by Paul, Rom. i. 27; 1 Cor. vi. 9; 1 Tim. i.10 (“abusers of themselves with men”).
Quote ID: 6398
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 181/182
Section: 2E2
2. For if indeed thou art able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord thou shalt be perfect; but if thou are not able, do what thou canst.….
This passage was very early made the basis of the doctrine of perfection and of a distinction between a lower morality for the masses and a higher morality for the elect few who renounce property and marriage for the sake of Christ, and thus literally follow him.
….
In the Nicene age the ascetic tendency assumed an organized form in the system of monasticism, which swept with irresistible moral force over the whole Catholic church, East and West, and found enthusiastic advocates among the greatest of the fathers; as Athanasius and Chrysostom, Jerome and Augustine.
Quote ID: 6399
Time Periods: 45
Book ID: 254 Page: 184/185/186/187
Section: 2A
CHAP. VII.
BAPTISM
1. Now concerning baptism, baptize thus: Having first taught all these things, baptize ye into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in living water.
2. And if thou has not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm (water).
3. But if thou has neither, pour [water] thrice upon the head in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
4. But before Baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and any others who can; but thou shalt command the baptized to fast for one or two days before.
Quote ID: 8780
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 254 Page: 187/188/189
Section: 2A
CHAP. VIII.
PRAYER AND FASTING
1. Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but ye shall fast on the fourth day, and the preparation day (Friday).
2. Neither pray ye as the hypocrites,{a} but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, so pray ye…
3. Pray thus thrice a day.
Quote ID: 8781
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 254 Page: 189
Section: 2A4
3. Pray thus thrice a day.
Quote ID: 6401
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 190/191/192
Section: 2A2
CHAP. IX.
THE AGAPE AND THE EUCHARIST
1. Now as regards the Eucharist (the Thank-offering), give thanks after this manner:
2. First for the cup: “We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which thou hast made known to us, through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever.”
3. And for the broken bread:
Quote ID: 6402
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 190/191/192/193/194
Section: 2A
CHAP. IX.
THE AGAPE AND THE EUCHARIST
1. Now as regards the Eucharist (the Thank-offering), give thanks after this manner:
2. First for the cup: “We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which thou hast made known to us, through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever.”
3. And for the broken bread: “We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory forever.”
4. (not used)
5. But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, except those baptized into the name of the Lord; far as regards this also the Lord has said: “Give not that which is holy to the dogs.”{a}
Quote ID: 8782
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 254 Page: 199/200/201
Section: 2A
CHAP. XI
APOSTLES AND PROPHETS
4. Let every Apostle that cometh to you be received as the Lord.{a}
5. But he shall not remain [longer than] one day; and, if need be, another [day] also; but if he remain three [days] he is a false prophet.
6. And when the Apostle departeth, let him take nothing except bread [enough]till he reach his lodging (night-quarters). But if he ask for money, he is a false prophet.
7. And every prophet who speaks in the spirit ye shall not try nor prove; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
9. And no prophet that orders a table in the spirit eats of it [himself], unless he is a false prophet.
Quote ID: 8784
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 254 Page: 204/205
Section: 2C
CHAP.XII.
RECEIVING DISCIPLES.
1. Let every one that comes in the name of the Lord be received, and then proving him ye shall know him;
1. But if he has not handicraft (trade), provide according to your understanding that no Christian shall live idle among you.
2. And if she will not act thus he is a Christ-trafficker. Beware of such.
Quote ID: 6404
Time Periods: 4567
Book ID: 254 Page: 204/205
Section: 2C
CHAP. XII.
RECEIVING DISCIPLES.
4. But if he has not handicraft (trade), provide according to your understanding that no Christian shall live idle among you.
5. And if she will not act thus he is a Christ-trafficker. Beware of such.
Quote ID: 8785
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 254 Page: 208/209
Section: 2E4
CHAP. XIV.
THE LORD’S DAY AND THE SACRIFICE.
1. And on the Lord’s Day of the Lord come together, and break bread, and give thanks, having before confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.
Quote ID: 6405
Time Periods: 12
Book ID: 254 Page: 211/212
Section: 2C
CHAP. XV.
BISHOPS AND DEACONS.
1. Elect therefore for yourselves Bishops and Deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful, and approved; for they too minister to you the ministry of the Prophets and Teachers.
Quote ID: 6406
Time Periods: 23
Book ID: 254 Page: 211/212
Section: 2C
CHAP. XV.
BISHOPS AND DEACONS.
1. Elect therefore for yourselves Bishops and Deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful, and approved; for they too minister to you the ministry of the Prophets and Teachers.
3. And reprove one another not in wrath, but in peace, as ye have [it] in the gospel; and with everyone that transgresses against another let no one speak, nor let him hear [a word] from you until he repents.
Quote ID: 8786
Time Periods: ?
Book ID: 254 Page: 214
Section: 2D3B
CHAP. XVI.
WATCHFULNESS AND THE COMING OF CHRIST
4. But be ye frequently gathered together, seeking the things that are profitable for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you except in the last season ye be found perfect.
Quote ID: 8787
Time Periods: ?
End of quotes