The Didache: Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

What Is the Didache?

The Didache (from Greek didachē, “teaching”) — also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles — is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. Dating to the late first or early second century AD (c. 70–120 AD), it predates many New Testament books in its final form and offers an extraordinary window into the life, worship, and ethics of the earliest Christian communities.

Rediscovered in 1873 in a monastery in Constantinople, the Didache was considered Scripture by some early church fathers (Clement of Alexandria, Origen) and remains a vital witness to how the apostles’ teaching was transmitted before the canon was fully closed.

Structure & Content

  • Chapters 1–6: The Two Ways — the way of life and the way of death. A moral catechesis rooted in the teaching of Jesus and the Ten Commandments.
  • Chapters 7–10: Liturgical instructions — baptism (by immersion or pouring, in running or still water), fasting (Wednesdays and Fridays), and the Eucharist (with prayers strikingly similar to early church liturgies).
  • Chapters 11–15: Church order — how to recognize true and false prophets, teachers, and apostles; the appointment of bishops and deacons; the practice of confession.
  • Chapter 16: Eschatology — watchfulness and the coming of the Lord, echoing the Synoptic Gospels’ apocalyptic teaching.

Why It Matters for Christians Today

  • It shows how the early church applied Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount — the Two Ways section is essentially a practical handbook for discipleship.
  • It contains the earliest known Eucharistic prayers outside the New Testament, giving us a glimpse of how the early church celebrated the Lord’s Supper.
  • It affirms the order of worship and leadership — even in the first century, churches had structure: appointed bishops and deacons, regular fasting, and weekly gathering for the breaking of bread.
  • It warns against false teachers — a reminder that discernment has always been necessary.

Key Passages

“There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between these two ways.” — Didache 1:1

“Let the Eucharist be celebrated thus: First, concerning the cup: ‘We give thanks to you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant, which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be glory forever.'” — Didache 9:1–2

Video Resources

An excellent introduction to the Didache — its discovery, content, and importance for understanding early Christianity.

Further Reading

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