The Didache (DOCTRINE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES) What do Protestants think about this? The Didache or the "instructions to the twelve (apostles)" It is f

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Hi Jimmy, the earilest Didache manuscript dates to 1056 AD and is a composite document of four others. Textual critics question if the current Didache is really the early edition. So, at best the Didache reflects Catholic doctrine in 1056 AD, and not neccessary that of early Christianity.
earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache

reluctant-messenger.com/didache.htm

3 non-Catholic sources state what is commonly believed.

And it was mentioned by Church Fathers as early as the 3rd century. It existed historically. It was proven to exist when a copy was found in The Orthodox Church.
 
Hey, I agree with baptism by immersion and then worse case scenario, if you have to, sprinkling.
Do you believe that infants are not included in the make up of a household?

For example, if there is a baby in a house and The Bible states “households” were baptized.

Do you see anything in Scripture that states that children are “not” to be baptized?
 
I’ve read the Didache plenty of times in the past, and I am Catholic, however, I am inclined to agree with rightly on one level…

Unless you are fringe, there really isn’t too much in the Didache that is opposed to many mainline protestant denominations…

Protestants and Catholics alike agree that full immersion is best, but it may not always be available, thus making sprinkling or pouring OK. Notice also the Didache says the best way is by full immersion in living water, ie a river or stream.

Also, The Didache talks about the importance of Communion. Something Protestants and Catholics alike agree on. (just the nature of which is argued, however this is not mentioned in the Didache.)

It does talk about fasting, which protestant churches don’t have a problem with per say.

It talks about loving each other… about sin, and the importance of teachers… It talks about false teachers… something both protestants and catholics agree on…

Is it more Catholic leaning in some sections Yes… (ie is there anythign in there contrary to Catholic Teaching?) … but many protestant churches CAN see their belief structure within the Didache as well.

This is because AS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES, many protestant churches have a GREAT deal of truth in them.

Saying the Didache disproves protestantism is a stretch. What it does do is bring into question some of the fringe protestants that believe in things like immersion only… But almost ALL mainstream protestants should see at least some support for their belief as well in the Didache…

It was a guide to Christians, written by church fathers because communication was soo poor. Rome, or even a local bishop may not hear about problems within a single parish for some time… However, having a ‘church approved’ guideline certainly helped

In Christ
Read my initial post to Rightly,
then read The Didache.

I was purposely coy with what I said to force people to actually “read” The Document.

Now, I listed at least 1/2 a dozen items that are uniquely Catholic and that are “not” practiced by any other Christian group.

Good reading.

👍
 
2nd

To you in Christ…

As mentioned, I do believe the document is catholic centric, that being said, there are things in their faith tradition that can account for the itmes you listed as strickly catholic. Confessing before Communion may seem like a strickly catholic tghing, but I have seen methodist, lutherans and angicans do. (just as an example.)

All I was trying to say is that while I also believe the didache fits catholic understanding best, there are plenty of items a mainstream protestant can look at and say… “hey, we do that…”

In Christ
 
Owned…:ouch:

2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.

:confused:

I think that “this” should be your signature!

2 Timothy 2:
14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.

15
Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

16
But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

17
and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;

18
men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

👍
Owned?
They are not laughing with you 2nd…
 
:bowdown2:
2nd Generation,

You are too kind 🙂

I have attempted to discuss this false claim regarding ‘choosing’ pastors … can’t get any takers …

I come from a protestant background … I learned to love Jesus and Holy Scripture … studying history and the early christian writings lead me back home 👍

I do not believe that one can honestly read early christian writings, letters debates records of councils, etc, observe history and find that early christianity resembles most non catholic denominations in liturgy and practice an un-biased observer would see far more that is cathoic or orthodox …

In that respect I am much like John Henry Newman …
 
In my opinion, is mixed.
  1. It supports a believer’s baptism.
  2. It support a regenerative view of baptism.
  3. It supports the Eucharist not the Lords Supper, seems to thake the Real Presence as literal.
To my knowledge there is no denomination that combines all those beliefs today.
 
2nd Generation,

You are too kind 🙂

I have attempted to discuss this false claim regarding ‘choosing’ pastors … can’t get any takers …

I come from a protestant background … I learned to love Jesus and Holy Scripture … studying history and the early christian writings lead me back home 👍

I do not believe that one can honestly read early christian writings, letters debates records of councils, etc, observe history and find that early christianity resembles most non catholic denominations in liturgy and practice an un-biased observer would see far more that is cathoic or orthodox …

In that respect I am much like John Henry Newman …
Amen.

If they were allowed to read Christian history, they’d be exposed to undeniable truths, but to them, Christian history began in the 1,500’s (that is unless you want to bash The Church, then their allowed to go deeper [though not as deep as Cardial Newman] into history).

I think that’s the best advice I could give a non-Catholic Christian…read The Church Fathers.
 
2nd

To you in Christ…

As mentioned, I do believe the document is catholic centric, that being said, there are things in their faith tradition that can account for the itmes you listed as strickly catholic. Confessing before Communion may seem like a strickly catholic tghing, but I have seen methodist, lutherans and angicans do. (just as an example.)

All I was trying to say is that while I also believe the didache fits catholic understanding best, there are plenty of items a mainstream protestant can look at and say… “hey, we do that…”

In Christ
Well even in Scripture, Paul alludes to one having to have a clear conscience before partaking in the Eucharist.

Being that The Didache came before The Bible, it’s not unreasonable to believe that some of The Teachings of The 12 Apostles made it into the Bible as well. It was a consensus that one must be reconciled to God by being in perfect common union to Him before taking in His Body (before Jesus made the sacrifice, it was us making an offering on the altar…we had to make peace with our brother with whom we had issues with).
 
The Didache (DOCTRINE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES)
What do Protestants think about this? The Didache or the “instructions to the twelve (apostles)” It is from the first century and it supports Catholicism.
I think it is an excellent Orthodox catholic document.
 
This is an excellent link, but Rightlydivide will not believe this. Good luck…🤷
 
Hi Jimmy, the earilest Didache manuscript dates to 1056 AD and is a composite document of four others. Textual critics question if the current Didache is really the early edition. So, at best the Didache reflects Catholic doctrine in 1056 AD, and not necessary that of early Christianity.
Ummm… I don’t think so…

If anything MOST scholars (Including several Protestant ones) place it as being written AROUND 100AD. That’s a far cry from 1056.

Not trying to be rude… Just trying to keep the facts clear…😃

Pax
 
Ummm… I don’t think so…

If anything MOST scholars (Including several Protestant ones) place it as being written AROUND 100AD. That’s a far cry from 1056.

Not trying to be rude… Just trying to keep the facts clear…😃

Pax
When someone speaks of the earliest manuscript, they are speaking of the earliest existing actual copy not when it was first penned.
 
I will also add I enjoy reading some of my earlier work. As the Beatles and Elvis aged, their earlier work was often scoffed at. I think mine stands up to the test of time. However that is an opinion of course!
 
I will also add I enjoy reading some of my earlier work. As the Beatles and Elvis aged, their earlier work was often scoffed at. I think mine stands up to the test of time. However that is an opinion of course!
Hey…the Didache is one thing, but don’t insult the FAB FOUR! The early work of the Beatles is PURE GOLD my friend, and ALWAYS will be! 😉 (My in-laws used to drink with them at the Cavern, and they have photos to prove it!). Cheers!
 
Now, with that important tidbit out of the way, it’s back to the topic at hand…

One important observation on the Didache’s passage concerning the Holy Eucharist:

The prayerful passage asking God to “let Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom” sounds beautiful to the ears of any and every Christian. There are SOME Christians (all of them protestants, but not ALL protestants) who might claim that this prayer refers to the return of Christ to gather His elect at the “end of the age”. Others however (Catholics among them) would suggest that this refers to unity of belief within the Church that Christ established here on this earth. The Lord emphasized this idea in John 17, particularly in verse 11: " I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us."** - JB **Therefore EVERY Christian should ask him or herself “What is MY church DOING to help GATHER TOGETHER rather than to divide the Church in this world?”. They might also ask themselves “Does a UNITED Church require ONE head here on earth…or is it possible to have unity with SEVERAL leaders pulling us in different doctrinal directions?” Anglicans might ask themselves “Is it okay to have a powerless shepherd who stands by helplessly as his flock wanders off in every conceivable direction?”. Lastly, all Christians should also ask themselves if there really was great wisdom in dividing the Church just because one lowly monk spun himself an alternative doctrine (especially when he had to throw away 7 books of the Holy Bible to do it!)? Food for thought, my Christian friends. :rolleyes: **If you ask ME, the Didache is clearly a Catholic document. **
 
Don’t forget the allusion to Malachi 1:11 in the Didache section on the Lord Supper. Malachi 1:11 was of course interpreted by the Early Church as a prophecy of the Eucharist. “So that your offering may be pure”…there can only be one pure offerring to God, that is Jesus himself, thus, the Eucharist in the Didache must be Jesus.

Painfully simple actually.
 
Oh NO !!! not another lets pick on the ProtestantS thread by the GREAT JIMMY B
 
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