The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, also known as the Didache, is a first-century Christian text discovered in 1873 by Philotheos Bryennios. Philip Schaff's scholarly edition provides both the original Greek text and an English translation, along with extensive commentary and historical context. The book contains practical instructions for early Christian communities, covering topics from baptism and fasting to the proper conduct of church services and treatment of traveling apostles. These guidelines offer a window into the daily practices and organizational structure of the earliest Christian churches. The work is divided into three main sections: moral teachings based on the concept of "Two Ways," liturgical practices including prayers and sacraments, and church order regarding leadership and discipline. Each section presents rules and recommendations that bridge the gap between Judaism and emerging Christianity. This text serves as a fundamental source for understanding the transition from apostolic to post-apostolic Christianity, revealing how early believers adapted Jewish traditions while developing their own distinct identity and practices. Its influence on Christian theology and church organization continues to resonate in modern religious scholarship.

Readers value this book as a scholarly examination of early Christian church teachings and practices. Multiple reviewers note the clear translation and historical context Schaff provides for the Didache text. Liked: - Detailed footnotes and commentary - Parallel Greek/English presentation - Historical background on document discovery - Analysis of early church rituals and organization Disliked: - Dense academic language - Some repetitive sections in commentary - Limited discussion of manuscript variations - Print quality issues in some editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Reader quotes: "Schaff's introduction provides key context missing in other translations" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on technical analysis rather than practical application" - Amazon reviewer "The dual-language format helps verify translation accuracy" - LibraryThing review Most criticism focuses on academic writing style rather than content accuracy. Reviewers recommend it for serious study rather than casual reading.

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Early Christian Writings by Maxwell Staniforth A translation of essential documents from Christianity's first two centuries, including letters, instructions, and accounts from those who immediately followed the apostles.

The Apostolic Fathers in English by Michael W. Holmes A translation of the complete texts from the earliest post-New Testament Christian writers, with historical context for each document.

Lost Christianities by Bart D. Ehrman An examination of various forms of early Christianity and their competing views before the establishment of orthodox Christianity.

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch A comprehensive history that begins with the origins of Christianity and traces its development through ancient sources and early church documents.

🔹 The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (also known as the Didache) was lost for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1873 by Metropolitan Philotheos Bryennios in a monastery in Constantinople. 🔹 Philip Schaff was one of the most prominent church historians of the 19th century, and he published this critical edition of the Didache in 1885 just two years after its contents became known to the Western world. 🔹 The original Didache text is considered one of the earliest Christian documents outside of the New Testament, likely written between 50-100 AD, making it potentially older than some New Testament books. 🔹 The document contains the first known written version of the Lord's Prayer outside of the Bible, as well as detailed instructions for baptism, fasting, and early Christian community life. 🔹 While Schaff's work made the Didache accessible to English-speaking audiences, he also included the original Greek text and parallel translations in Latin and other languages, along with extensive commentary on early Christian practices.