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From: Barbara  Di Gilio
To:      heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org

                                           The Didache
              Alternate title: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
                                   circa 50-80 C.E.

                                  From the website:

http://mayimhayim.org/Academic%20Stuff/The%20Didache%20or%20Teaching%2
0of%20the%20Apostles.htm

                                       and

http://mayimhayim.org/Academic%20Stuff/The%20Didache%20or%20Teaching%2
0of%20the%20Apostles.htm

                                

The Didache is, in all probability, the oldest surviving extant piece
of non-canonical literature, that should have been canonical. It is
not so much a letter as a instruction book for new Believing
disciples, gentiles coming to faith. Consisting of teachings
(didache), derived directly from the teachings of Yeshua Messiah
(Jesus Christ). The book can be divided into 3 clear sections - the
first 6 chapters consist of catechetical lessons - the next 4 chapters
give descriptions of the Hebrew liturgy, including immersion
(baptism), fasting and communion - and the last 6 chapters outline the
E'dah (the Congregation) organization.

The claim of the Didache having been authored by the twelve apostles,
I believe is true. While this is said to be unlikely by others, it
truly was the work of the first Apostolic Council, c.50-60 C.E. (Acts
15:28). Similarities to the Apostolic Decree are apparent, and the
given structure of the congregation is quite ancient. Also, the
description of the Eucharist (Thankgiving or Graces) carefully avoids
mention of the "body and blood of Messiah," obviously being regarded
as one of the mysteries of early Believers. Most scholars agree that
the work, in its earliest form, may have circulated as early as the
50's C.E., though I'm sure modifications may have taken place in the
third century when Rome took power over the Church.

The work was never "officially" rejected by the Church, but was
excluded from the canon for its lack of literary value we are told. At
this point in time, the Church was so anti-Semitic, they blow the
opportunity of using this great Spiritual document! The literary value
is of the highest quality, and very Biblical Jewish in its components.

The complete text of the Didache was discovered in the Codex
Hierosolymitanus, though a number of fragments exist, most notably in
the Oxyrhynchus Papyri. It was originally composed in Greek. Probably
somewhere hidden laid a Hebrew copy, not yet found. Or maybe they were
all burned by the State Church (Rome 325C.E.). No matter, the mind set
was Hebrew, and it is fully evident in the document.

Please read and take to heart, the Teaching of the Apostles.

Shalom,

Barbara Di Gilio

http://mayimhayim.org/

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         THE DIDACHE, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,
                            Translated by Charles H. Hoole

CHAPTER 1

1:1 There are two paths, one of life and one of death, and the
difference is great between the two paths.

1:2 Now the path of life is this -- first, thou shalt love the God who
made thee, thy neighbour as thyself, and all things that thou wouldest
not should be done unto thee, do not thou unto another.

1:3 And the doctrine of these maxims is as follows. Bless them that
curse you, and pray for your enemies. Fast on behalf of those that
persecute you; for what thank is there if ye love them that love you?
Do not even the Gentiles do the same? But do ye love them that hate
you, and ye will not have an enemy.

1:4 Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts. If any one give thee a
blow on thy right cheek, turn unto him the other also, and thou shalt
be perfect; if any one compel thee to go a mile, go with him two; if a
man take away thy cloak, give him thy coat also; if a man take from
thee what is thine, ask not for it again, for neither art thou able to
do so.

1:5 Give to every one that asketh of thee, and ask not again; for the
Father wishes that from his own gifts there should be given to all.
Blessed is he who giveth according to the commandment, for he is free
from guilt; but woe unto him that receiveth. For if a man receive
being in need, he shall be free from guilt; but he who receiveth when
not in need, shall pay a penalty as to why he received and for what
purpose; and when he is in tribulation he shall be examined concerning
the things that he has done, and shall not depart thence until he has
paid the last farthing.

1:6 For of a truth it has been said on these matters, let thy
almsgiving abide in thy hands until thou knowest to whom thou hast
given.

CHAPTER 2

2:1 But the second commandment of the teaching is this.

2:2 Thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt
not corrupt youth; thou shalt not commit fornication; thou shalt not
steal; thou shalt not use soothsaying; thou shalt not practise
sorcery; thou shalt not kill a child by abortion, neither shalt thou
slay it when born; thou shalt not covet the goods of thy neighbour;

2:3 thou shalt not commit perjury; thou shalt not bear false witness;
thou shalt not speak evil; thou shalt not bear malice;

2:4 thou shalt not be double-minded or double-tongued, for to be
double tongued is the snare of death.

2:5 Thy speech shall not be false or empty, but concerned with action.


2:6 Thou shalt not be covetous, or rapacious, or hypocritical, or
malicious, or proud; thou shalt not take up an evil design against thy
neighbour;

2:7 thou shalt not hate any man, but some thou shalt confute,
concerning some thou shalt pray, and some thou shalt love beyond thine
own soul.

CHAPTER 3

3:1 My child, fly from everything that is evil, and from everything
that is like to it.

3:2 Be not wrathful, for wrath leadeth unto slaughter; be not jealous,
or contentious, or quarrelsome, for from all these things slaughter
ensues.

3:3 My child, be not lustful, for lust leadeth unto fornication; be
not a filthy talker; be not a lifter up of the eye, for from all these
things come adulteries.

3:4 My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leadeth to
idolatry, nor a user of spells, nor an astrologer, nor a travelling
purifier, nor wish to see these things, for from all these things
idolatry ariseth.

3:5 My child, be not a liar, for lying leadeth unto theft; be not
covetous or conceited, for from all these things thefts arise.

3:6 My child, be not a murmurer, since it leadeth unto blasphemy; be
not self-willed or evil-minded, for from all these things blasphemies
are produced;

3:7 but be thou meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth;

3:8 be thou long-suffering, and compassionate, and harmless, and
peaceable, and good, and fearing always the words that thou hast
heard.

3:9 Thou shalt not exalt thyself, neither shalt thou put boldness into
thy soul. Thy soul shall not be joined unto the lofty, but thou shalt
walk with the just and humble.

3:10 Accept the things that happen to thee as good, knowing that
without God nothing happens.

CHAPTER 4

4:1 My child, thou shalt remember both night and day him that speaketh
unto thee the Word of God; thou shalt honour him as thou dost the
Lord, for where the teaching of the Lord is given, there is the Lord;

4:2 thou shalt seek out day by day the favour of the saints, that thou
mayest rest in their words;

4:3 thou shalt not desire schism, but shalt set at peace them that
contend; thou shalt judge righteously; thou shalt not accept the
person of any one to convict him of transgression;

4:4 thou shalt not doubt whether a thing shall be or not.

4:5 Be not a stretcher out of thy hand to receive, and a drawer of it
back in giving.

4:6 If thou hast, give by means of thy hands a redemption for thy
sins.

4:7 Thou shalt not doubt to give, neither shalt thou murmur when
giving; for thou shouldest know who is the fair recompenser of the
reward.

4:8 Thou shalt not turn away from him that is in need, but shalt share
with thy brother in all things, and shalt not say that things are
thine own; for if ye are partners in what is immortal, how much more
in what is mortal?


4:9 Thou shalt not remove thine heart from thy son or from thy
daughter, but from their youth shalt teach them the fear of God.

4:10 Thou shalt not command with bitterness thy servant or thy
handmaid, who hope in the same God as thyself, lest they fear not in
consequence the God who is over both; for he cometh not to call with
respect of persons, but those whom the Spirit hath prepared.

4:11 And do ye servants submit yourselves to your masters with
reverence and fear, as being the type of God.

4:12 Thou shalt hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing
to God;

4:13 thou shalt not abandon the commandments of the Lord, but shalt
guard that which thou hast received, neither adding thereto nor taking
therefrom;

4:14 thou shalt confess thy transgressions in the Church, and shalt
not come unto prayer with an evil conscience. This is the path of
life.

CHAPTER 5

5:1 But the path of death is this. First of all, it is evil, and full
of cursing; there are found murders, adulteries, lusts, fornication,
thefts, idolatries, soothsaying, sorceries, robberies, false
witnessings, hypocrisies, double-mindedness, craft, pride, malice,
self-will, covetousness, filthy talking, jealousy, audacity, pride,
arrogance;

5:2 there are they who persecute the good -- lovers of a lie, not
knowing the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to the good nor to
righteous judgment, watching not for the good but for the bad, from
whom meekness and patience are afar off, loving things that are vain,
following after recompense, having no compassion on the needy, nor
labouring for him that is in trouble, not knowing him that made them,
murderers of children, corrupters of the image of God, who turn away
from him that is in need, who oppress him that is in trouble, unjust
judges of the poor, erring in all things. From all these, children,
may ye be delivered.

CHAPTER 6

6:1 See that no one make thee to err from this path of doctrine, since
he who doeth so teacheth thee apart from God.

6:2 If thou art able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, thou wilt be
perfect; but if thou art not able, what thou art able, that do.

6:3 But concerning meat, bear that which thou art able to do. But keep
with care from things sacrificed to idols, for it is the worship of
the infernal deities.

CHAPTER 7

7:1 But concerning baptism, thus baptize ye: having first recited all
these precepts, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, in running water;

7:2 but if thou hast not running water, baptize in some other water,
and if thou canst not baptize in cold, in warm water;

7:3 but if thou hast neither, pour water three times on the head, in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

7:4 But before the baptism, let him who baptizeth and him who is
baptized fast previously, and any others who may be able. And thou
shalt command him who is baptized to fast one or two days before.

CHAPTER 8

8:1 But as for your fasts, let them not be with the hypocrites, for
they fast on the second and fifth days of the week, but do ye fast on
the fourth and sixth days.

8:2 Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord hath commanded
in his gospel so pray ye: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth. Give us
this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debt, as we also forgive
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the
evil: for thine is the power, and the glory, for ever.

8:3 Thrice a day pray ye in this fashion.

CHAPTER 9

9:1 But concerning the Eucharist, after this fashion give ye thanks.

9:2 First, concerning the cup. We thank thee, our Father, for the holy
vine, David thy Son, which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus
Christ thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.

9:3 And concerning the broken bread. We thank thee, our Father, for
the life and knowledge which thou hast made known unto us through
Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.

9:4 As this broken bread was once scattered on the mountains, and
after it had been brought together became one, so may thy Church be
gathered together from the ends of the earth unto thy kingdom; for
thine is the glory, and the power, through Jesus Christ, for ever.

9:5 And let none eat or drink of your Eucharist but such as have been
baptized into the name of the Lord, for of a truth the Lord hath said
concerning this, Give not that which is holy unto dogs.

CHAPTER 10

10:1 But after it has been completed, so pray ye.

10:2 We thank thee, holy Father, for thy holy name, which thou hast
caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and
immortality which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus thy Son;
to thee be the glory for ever.

10:3 Thou, Almighty Master, didst create all things for the sake of
thy name, and hast given both meat and drink, for men to enjoy, that
we might give thanks unto thee, but to us thou hast given spiritual
meat and drink, and life everlasting, through thy Son.

10:4 Above all, we thank thee that thou art able to save; to thee be
the glory for ever.

10:5 Remember, Lord, thy Church, to redeem it from every evil, and to
perfect it in thy love, and gather it together from the four winds,
even that which has been sanctified for thy kingdom which thou hast
prepared for it; for thine is the kingdom and the glory for ever.

10:6 Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son
of David. If any one is holy let him come (to the Eucharist); if any
one is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.

10:7 But charge the prophets to give thanks, so far as they are
willing to do so.

CHAPTER 11

11:1 Whosoever, therefore, shall come and teach you all these things
aforesaid, him do ye receive;

11:2 but if the teacher himself turn and teach another doctrine with a
view to subvert you, hearken not to him; but if he come to add to your
righteousness, and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.


11:3 But concerning the apostles and prophets, thus do ye according to
the doctrine of the Gospel.

11:4 Let every apostle who cometh unto you be received as the Lord.

11:5 He will remain one day, and if it be necessary, a second; but if
he remain three days, he is a false prophet.

11:6 And let the apostle when departing take nothing but bread until
he arrive at his resting-place; but if he ask for money, he is a false
prophet.

11:7 And ye shall not tempt or dispute with any prophet who speaketh
in the spirit; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not
be forgiven.

11:8 But not every one who speaketh in the spirit is a prophet, but he
is so who hath the disposition of the Lord; by their dispositions they
therefore shall be known, the false prophet and the prophet.

11:9 And every prophet who ordereth in the spirit that a table shall
be laid, shall not eat of it himself, but if he do otherwise, he is a
false prophet;

11:10 and every prophet who teacheth the truth, if he do not what he
teacheth is a false prophet;

11:11 and every prophet who is approved and true, and ministering in
the visible mystery of the Church, but who teacheth not others to do
the things that he doth himself, shall not be judged of you, for with
God lieth his judgment, for in this manner also did the ancient
prophets.

11:12 But whoever shall say in the spirit, Give me money, or things of
that kind, listen not to him; but if he tell you concerning others
that are in need that ye should give unto them, let no one judge him.

CHAPTER 12

12:1 Let every one that cometh in the name of the Lord be received,
but afterwards ye shall examine him and know his character, for ye
have knowledge both of good and evil.

12:2 If the person who cometh be a wayfarer, assist him so far as ye
are able; but he will not remain with you more than two or three days,
unless there be a necessity.

12:3 But if he wish to settle with you, being a craftsman, let him
work, and so eat;

12:4 but if he know not any craft, provide ye according to you own
discretion, that a Christian may not live idle among you;

12:5 but if he be not willing to do so, he is a trafficker in Christ.
From such keep aloof.

CHAPTER 13

13:1 But every true prophet who is willing to dwell among you is
worthy of his meat,

13:2 likewise a true teacher is himself worthy of his meat, even as is
a labourer.

13:3 Thou shalt, therefore, take the firstfruits of every produce of
the wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and sheep, and shalt give
it to the prophets, for they are your chief priests;

13:4 but if ye have not a prophet, give it unto the poor.

13:5 If thou makest a feast, take and give the firstfruits according
to the commandment;

13:6 in like manner when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take
the firstfruits and give it to the prophets;

13:7 take also the firstfruits of money, of clothes, and of every
possession, as it shall seem good unto thee, and give it according to
the commandment.

CHAPTER 14

14:1 But on the Lord's day, after that ye have assembled together,
break bread and give thanks, having in addition confessed your sins,
that your sacrifice may be pure.

14:2 But let not any one who hath a quarrel with his companion join
with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be
polluted,

14:3 for it is that which is spoken of by the Lord. In every place and
time offer unto me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the
Lord, and my name is wonderful among the Gentiles.

CHAPTER 15

15:1 Elect, therefore, for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of
the Lord, men who are meek and not covetous, and true and approved,
for they perform for you the service of prophets and teachers.

15:2 Do not, therefore, despise them, for they are those who are
honoured among you, together with the prophets and teachers.

15:3 Rebuke one another, not in wrath but peaceably, as ye have
commandment in the Gospel; and, but let no one speak to any one who
walketh disorderly with regard to his neighbour, neither let him be
heard by you until he repent.

15:4 But your prayers and your almsgivings and all your deeds so do,
as ye have commandment in the Gospel of our Lord.

CHAPTER 16

16:1 Watch concerning your life; let not your lamps be quenched or
your loins be loosed, but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour at
which our Lord cometh.

16:2 But be ye gathered together frequently, seeking what is suitable
for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall profit you not,
unless ye be found perfect in the last time.

16:3 For in the last days false prophets and seducers shall be
multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall
be turned into hate;

16:4 and because iniquity aboundeth they shall hate each other, and
persecute each other, and deliver each other up; and then shall the
Deceiver of the world appear as the Son of God, and shall do signs and
wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands; and he shall
do unlawful things, such as have never happened since the beginning of
the world.

16:5 Then shall the creation of man come to the fiery trial of proof,
and many shall be offended and shall perish; but they who remain in
their faith shall be saved by the rock of offence itself.

16:6 And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first the sign of
the appearance in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet,
and thirdly the resurrection of the dead

16:7 -- not of all, but as it has been said, The Lord shall come and
all his saints with him;

16:8 then shall the world behold the Lord coming on the clouds of
heaven.

{The End of the Didache}

This document is in the public domain. Copying it is encouraged.

This uncopyrighted document has been made available to the Library by
courtesy of the Athenaeum of Christian Antiquity.

((ASCII file produced by Athenaeum of Christian Antiquity.))
((4648 East Saint Catherine Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85040-5369))

Edited for the St. Pachomius Library by Friar Martin Fontenot Gonzalez

This document was produced by THE ATHENAEUM OF CHRISTIAN ANTIQUITY,
which requests that printed copies include the information about the
Athenaeum found in the file "athenaeum info" at the St. Pachomius
archive site.

The St. Pachomius Orthodox Library, October/November, 1994

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