Didache

Christians in antiquity esteemed this text, but it was thought to be non-extant in the modern era, known only in canonical lists of some of the church fathers. The text has four parts: 1) An ethical part on the “Two Ways,” a way of life and a way of death: this probably was a recension of a Jewish text that was Christianized with quotations from the gospels. 2) A liturgical part: this provides instructions on baptism and the celebration of a meal (though whether this is the Eucharist or an agape is unknown). 3) A set of community ordinances: this contains specific instructions on what to do if teachers, apostles, prophets (with directions for discerning the genuine kind from the false), and strangers. Instructions are provided for the treatment of strangers who wish to join the fellowship. This part also calls for the offer of reconciliation in the gathering and teaching on how to choose a bishop or deacon. 4) A teaching on eschatology: The purpose of this section is likely to enforce ethical teaching with a reminder of the imminent return of Christ.