Rituals Didache

1 rituals

1.1 baptism
1.2 fasting
1.3 daily prayer
1.4 eucharist

rituals
baptism

the second part (chapters 7 10) begins instruction on baptism, sacramental rite admits christian church. baptism conferred in name of father, , of son , of holy spirit triple immersion in “living water” (that is, flowing water, in stream). if not practical, in cold or warm water acceptable. if water insufficient immersion, may poured 3 times on head (affusion). baptized , baptizer, and, if possible, else attending ritual should fast 1 or 2 days beforehand.

the new testament rich in metaphors baptism offers few details practice itself, not whether candidates professed faith in formula. didache oldest extra-biblical source information baptism, it, lacks these details. 2 ways section of didache presumably sort of ethical instruction catechumens (students) received in preparation baptism.

fasting

chapter 8 suggests fasts not on monday , thursday hypocrites — presumably non-christian jews, such pharisees — on wednesday , friday. fasting wednesday , friday plus worshiping on sunday constituted christian week. nor must christians pray judaic brethren, instead shall lord s prayer 3 times day. text of prayer not identical version in gospel of matthew, , given doxology thine power , glory ever. doxology derives 1 chronicles 29:11–13; bruce m. metzger held church added lord s prayer, creating current matthew reading.

daily prayer

the didache provides 1 of few clues historians have in reconstructing daily prayer practice among christians before 300s. instructs christians pray our father 3 times day not specify times pray. other sources speak of two-fold, three-fold, , five-fold daily prayers.

eucharist

the didache includes 2 primitive , unusual prayers eucharist ( thanksgiving ), central act of christian worship. earliest text refer rite eucharist.

chapter 9 begins:

now concerning eucharist, give way. first, concerning cup:
we thank thee, our father, holy vine of david thy servant, thou madest known through jesus thy servant; thee glory ever..

and concerning broken bread:

we thank thee, our father, life , knowledge thou madest known through jesus thy servant; thee glory ever. broken bread scattered on hills, , gathered , became one, let thy church gathered ends of earth thy kingdom; thine glory , power through jesus christ ever.
but let no 1 eat or drink of eucharist, unless have been baptized name of lord; concerning lord has said, give not holy dogs. (roberts)

the didache describes same ritual 1 took place in corinth. paul s first letter corinthians, didache confirms lord s supper literally meal, taking place in house church. order of cup , bread differs both present-day christian practice , in new testament accounts of last supper, of which, again unlike present-day eucharistic celebrations, didache makes no mention. scholars once traced eucharistic prayers jesus words @ last supper, contemporary scholars emphasize jewish , gentile sources instead.

revelation 22:17 (kjv), prayer in didache 10 bears similarity.

chapter 10 gives thanksgiving after meal. contents of meal not indicated: chapter 9 not exclude other elements cup , bread, ones mentions, , chapter 10, whether separate document or continues account in chapter 9, mentions no particular elements, not wine , bread. instead speaks of spiritual food , drink , life eternal through thy servant distinguishes food , drink (given) men enjoyment might give (god) . after doxology, before, come apocalyptic exclamations: let grace come, , let world pass away. hosanna god (son) of david! if 1 holy, let him come; if 1 not so, let him repent. maranatha. amen . prayer reminiscent of revelation 22:17–20 , 1corinthians 16:22.

these prayers make no reference redemptive death of christ, or remembrance, formulated paul apostle in 1corinthians 11:23–34, see atonement in christianity. didache 10 doesn t use word christ, appears 1 other time in whole tract.

john dominic crossan endorses john w. riggs 1984 second century article proposition there 2 quite separate eucharistic celebrations given in didache 9–10, earlier 1 put in second place. section beginning @ 10.1 reworking of jewish birkat ha-mazon, three-strophe prayer @ conclusion of meal, includes blessing of god sustaining universe, blessing of god gives gifts of food, earth, , covenant, , prayer restoration of jerusalem; content christianized , form remains jewish. similar syrian church eucharist rite of holy qurbana of addai , mari, belonging primordial era when euchology of church had not yet inserted institution narrative in text of eucharistic prayer.