An
Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles
(Lesson 3 – May 9, 2024)
THE DIDACHE
(Estimated
Range of Dating: 50-120 A.D)
The Lord's Teaching
Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations.
Chapter 1. The
Two Ways and the First Commandment. There are two ways, one of life and one
of death, but a great difference between the two ways. The way of life, then,
is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, love your neighbor as
yourself, and do not do to another what you would not want done to you. And of
these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for
your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there
for loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But love those
who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly
lusts. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you
shall be perfect. If someone impresses you for one mile, go with him two. If
someone takes your cloak, give him also your coat. If someone takes from you
what is yours, ask it not back, for indeed you are not able. Give to every one
who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be
given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the
commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him who receives; for if one receives
who has need, he is guiltless; but he who receives not having need shall pay
the penalty, why he received and for what. And coming into confinement, he
shall be examined concerning the things which he has done, and he shall not
escape from there until he pays back the last penny. And also concerning this,
it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you
should give.
Chapter 2. The
Second Commandment: Grave Sin Forbidden. And the second commandment of the
Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall
not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal,
you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not
murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born. You shall not covet the
things of your neighbor, you shall not swear, you shall not bear false witness,
you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be
double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death.
Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not
be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty.
You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any
man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some
you shall love more than your own life.
Chapter 3. Other
Sins Forbidden. My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every
likeness of it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads to murder. Be neither
jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper, for out of all these murders are
engendered. My child, be not a lustful one. for lust leads to fornication. Be
neither a filthy talker, nor of lofty eye, for out of all these adulteries are
engendered. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leads to idolatry.
Be neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier, nor be willing to
took at these things, for out of all these idolatry is engendered. My child, be
not a liar, since a lie leads to theft. Be neither money-loving, nor
vainglorious, for out of all these thefts are engendered. My child, be not a
murmurer, since it leads the way to blasphemy. Be neither self-willed nor
evil-minded, for out of all these blasphemies are engendered.
Rather, be meek, since the meek shall
inherit the earth. Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and gentle and
good and always trembling at the words which you have heard. You shall not
exalt yourself, nor give over-confidence to your soul. Your soul shall not be
joined with lofty ones, but with just and lowly ones shall it have its
intercourse. Accept whatever happens to you as good, knowing that apart from
God nothing comes to pass.
Chapter 4. Various
Precepts. My child, remember night and day him who speaks the word of God
to you, and honor him as you do the Lord. For wherever the lordly rule is
uttered, there is the Lord. And seek out day by day the faces of the saints, in
order that you may rest upon their words. Do not long for division, but rather
bring those who contend to peace. Judge righteously, and do not respect persons
in reproving for transgressions. You shall not be undecided whether or not it
shall be. Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and a drawer of them
back to give. If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom
for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you give; for you
shall know who is the good repayer of the hire. Do not turn away from him who
is in want; rather, share all things with your brother, and do not say that
they are your own. For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much
more in things which are mortal? Do not remove your hand from your son or
daughter; rather, teach them the fear of God from their youth. Do not enjoin
anything in your bitterness upon your bondman or maidservant, who hope in the
same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is over both; for he comes not
to call according to the outward appearance, but to them whom the Spirit has
prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God,
in modesty and fear. You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything which is not
pleasing to the Lord. Do not in any way forsake the commandments of the Lord;
but keep what you have received, neither adding thereto nor taking away
therefrom. In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you
shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of
life.
Chapter 5. The
Way of Death. And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and
accursed: murders, adultery, lust, fornication, thefts, idolatries, magic arts,
witchcrafts, rape, false witness, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, deceit,
haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy,
over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; persecutors of the good, hating
truth, loving a lie, not knowing a reward for righteousness, not cleaving to
good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for that which is good, but for
that which is evil; from whom meekness and endurance are far, loving vanities,
pursuing revenge, not pitying a poor man, not laboring for the afflicted, not
knowing Him Who made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork
of God, turning away from him who is in want, afflicting him who is distressed,
advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utter sinners. Be delivered,
children, from all these.
Chapter 6.
Against False Teachers, and Food Offered to Idols. See that no one
causes you to err from this way of the Teaching, since apart from God it
teaches you. For if you are able to bear the entire yoke of the Lord, you will
be perfect; but if you are not able to do this, do what you are able. And
concerning food, bear what you are able; but against that which is sacrificed
to idols be exceedingly careful; for it is the service of dead gods.
Chapter 7.
Concerning 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.
Chapter 8.
Fasting and Prayer (the Lord's Prayer). But let not your fasts be with
the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week. Rather,
fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday). Do not pray like the
hypocrites, but rather as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us today our daily (needful) bread, and forgive us our debt as we
also forgive our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil one (or, evil); for Thine is the power and the glory for ever..
Pray this three times each day.
Chapter 9.
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."
Chapter 10. Prayer
after Communion. But after you are filled, give thanks this way:
We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy
holy name which You didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the
knowledge and faith and immortality, which You modest known to us through Jesus
Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Thou, Master almighty, didst create
all things for Thy name's sake; You gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment,
that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us You didst freely give spiritual
food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. Before all things we thank
Thee that You are mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever. Remember, Lord, Thy
Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and
gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou have
prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever. Let grace come,
and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David! If any one is
holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.
But permit the prophets to make
Thanksgiving as much as they desire.
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.
Chapter 12.
Reception of Christians. But receive everyone who comes in the name of
the Lord, and prove and know him afterward; for you shall have understanding
right and left. If he who comes is a wayfarer, assist him as far as you are
able; but he shall not remain with you more than two or three days, if need be.
But if he wants to stay with you, and is an artisan, let him work and eat. But
if he has no trade, according to your understanding, see to it that, as a
Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he wills not to do, he is a
Christ-monger. Watch that you keep away from such.
Chapter 13. Support
of Prophets. But every true prophet who wants to live among you is worthy
of his support. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of
his support. Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and
threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, you shall take and give to the prophets,
for they are your high priests. But if you have no prophet, give it to the
poor. If you make a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to
the commandment. So also when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the
first-fruit and give it to the prophets; and of money (silver) and clothing and
every possession, take the first-fruit, as it may seem good to you, and give
according to the commandment.
Chapter 14. Christian
Assembly on the Lord's Day. But every Lord's day gather yourselves
together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your
transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who is at odds
with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your
sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord:
"In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great
King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations."
Chapter 15.
Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof. Appoint, therefore, for
yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of
money, and truthful and proved; for they also render to you the service of
prophets and teachers. Therefore do not despise them, for they are your honored
ones, together with the prophets and teachers. And reprove one another, not in
anger, but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel. But to anyone that acts
amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear anything from you
until he repents. But your prayers and alms and all your deeds so do, as you
have it in the Gospel of our Lord.
Chapter 16.
Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord. Watch for your life's sake. Let
not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know
not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the
things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will
not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last
days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be
turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness
increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall
appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and
the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things
which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation
of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall
perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse
itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first, the sign of an
outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third,
the resurrection of the dead -- yet not of all, but as it is said: "The
Lord shall come and all His saints with Him." Then shall the world see the
Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.
THE
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
“They devoted themselves to the
teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread
and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42)
1. Old
Testament: “Seven times a day I praise you” (Ps 119:164)
The halakhah
requires a Jew prays three times a day (followed by
Apostles’ Didache)
2. Roman
Govt
- implemented work timings in the entire Kingdom - Siren
(by siren sound at 6am, 9am, 12am,
3pm, 5pm – Converted Jews used convenient hour for prayer in their respective
synagogues)
3. Benedict
of Nursia (480–548 AD), the monastic Divine Office was composed
of seven daytime hours and one at night Orare est laborare. BUT Franciscans
(12c) Missale cum DO
Before
the Second Vatican:
Matins
(during the night, at about 2 a.m.); sometimes called Vigil
After
the Second Vatican Council: CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
(SACROSANCTUM
CONCILIUM) CH. IV: THE DIVINE OFFICE was promulgated:
Office
of Readings, 2 Major Hours, 3 Minor Hours, Compline
The
Office of Readings, (Officium lectionis) or Matins or
Vigils) – major hour (but earlier in summer, later in winter)
Prime
(first
Hour = approximately 6 am) Lauds at dawn, about 5 am
Terce
(third
Hour = approximately 9 am)
Sext
(sixth Hour = approximately 12 noon)
None
(Ninth Hour = approximately 3 pm)
Prime
(“at
the lighting of the lamps”, about 6 p.m.) Vespers
Compline
(before retiring, about 7 pm
Questions Chs. 3 & 4:
1. At
which hour of the day do Peter and John go to the temple to Pray?
3:1
= 30 literally 9th hour.
2. At
which gate of the temple the crippled man was placed?
3:2
“The Beautiful Gate”.
3. What
was the order of the court to the Apostles?
4:18
“not to speak in the name of Jesus”.
4. People
hurried to see the Apostles at the portico called
3:11
“Solomon’s Portico”.
5. Where do find Peter’s address to the people in
Acts 3?
3:12-26.
6. How
did Peter understand the expression - “Servant Jesus”
Is
52:13-53:12 – the Suffering Servant.
7. “The
author of life” (Act 3:15)
“leader of life”, “pioneer of life” ἀρχηγὸν τῆς ζωῆς .
8. What
is the Greek word for Messiah?
The
Christ.
9. What
was the increased number of those who believed in the Word?
4:4
– 5 thousand.
10. Why Luke was writing “There is no salvation
through anyone else…”
4:12 In the Roman world of Luke’s day,
salvation was often attributed to the emperor who was hailed as the “savior” and
“god”.
11. What
was the life style of the Friest Christian Community?
4:32
= “One heart and mind”.
12. What is the meaning of a Levite called Joseph
also called Barnabas?
4:36
(“son of encouragement)
