Excerpts from the Didache, written 20 years before the death of John the apostle. 7 Concerning Baptism7:1 Concerning baptism, you should baptize this way: After first explaining all things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in flowing water.7:2 But if you have no running water, baptize in other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, then in warm.7:3 If you have very little, pour water three times on the head in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.7:4 Before the baptism, both the baptizer and the candidate for baptism, plus any others who can, should fast. The candidate should fast for one or two days beforehand.8 Your Fasts and prayers8:1 Your fasts should not be with the hypocrites, for they fast on Mondays and Thursdays. You should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.8:2 And do not pray like the hypocrites, but rather as the Lord commanded in the gospel: Our Father in heaven, holy be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us enough bread day-by-day. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.8:3 Pray this three times each day.9 Concerning the Eucharist9:1 Concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way.9:2 First, concerning the cup: We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be the glory forever.9:3 Next, concerning the broken bread: We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be the glory forever.9:4 Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. To you is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.9:5 Allow no one to eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized in the name of the Lord. For concerning this, the Lord has said, Do not give what is holy to dogs.10 After the Eucharist10:1 After the Eucharist when you are filled, give thanks this way:10:2 We thank you, holy Father, for your holy name which you enshrined in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality that you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be the glory forever.10:3 You, Master Almighty, have created all things for your names sake. You gave food and drink to all people for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you; but to us you freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Jesus, your servant.10:4 Before all things we thank you because you are mighty. To you be the glory forever.10:5 Remember, Lord, your church. Deliver it from all evil and make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For Yours is the power and the glory forever.10:6 Let grace come, and let this world pass away!Hosanna to the Son of David! If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not holy, let him repent. Maranatha! Amen.[10:7 But permit the prophets to make thanksgiving as much as they desire.]11 Welcome the Teacher11:1 Welcome the teacher when he comes to instruct you in all that has been said.11:2 But if he turns and trains you in another tradition to the destruction of this teaching, do not listen. If he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.11:3 Act according to the precepts of the gospel concerning all apostles and prophets:11:4 Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord.11:5 But he must not remain more than one day, or two, if theres a need. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet.11:6 And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread to last him until his next night of lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.11:7 In addition, if any prophet speaks in the Spirit, you shall not try or judge him; for every sin will be forgiven, but this sin cannot be forgiven.11:8 But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; only he is a prophet who has the ways of the Lord about him. By their ways will the false prophet and the prophet be known.11:9 Any prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it; if he does, he is indeed a false prophet.11:10 And any prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet.11:11 When a prophet, proved true, works for the mystery of the church in the world but does not teach others to do what he himself does, he will not be judged among you, for his judgment is already before God. The ancient prophets acted in this way, also.11:12 But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money,or something else like this, you must not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for the sake of others who are in need, let no one judge him.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 19:15:49 +0000
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