The Didache on: The Weekly Meeting

          On the heels of my last post, the weekly meeting of the church is also mentioned in The Didache, in a concise form that differs with Justin Martyr's description. As a note, The Didache - also known as The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles - was first discovered in manuscript form inside a monastery in Constantinople, in 1883. Written sometime between the late 1st and early 3rd centuries, the document likely served as a handbook for new Christians, outlining the lifestyle necessary for church membership. In his Festal Letter [39:7], Athanasius declares The Didache to be among the list of books "not included in the [Biblical] Canon, but appointed by the Fathers to be read by those who newly join us, and who wish for instruction in the word of godliness." This particular chapter would be an introduction to the church meeting, rather than a in-depth account.

"Concerning the Lord's Day"

from chapter XIV of The Didache

          On the Lord's own day gather together and break bread and give thanks, having first confessed your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who has a quarrel with a companion join you until they have been reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be defiled. For this is the sacrifice concerning which the Lord said, "In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great king, says the Lord, and my name is marvelous among the nations [Malachi 1:11, 14]."

The Weekly Meeting, circa 150 AD...

          What did 'going to church' look like in Christianity's first 100 years or so? Obviously the book of Acts is our best source, but I was browsing through Henry Bettenson's Documents of the Christian Church and stumbled across a concise passage describing the weekly meeting of Christians during the 2nd century. If this description sounds similar to your church/congregation/fellowship services, you're probably on a good path.

"Weekly Worship of Christians" 

from chapter LXVII [67] of Justin Marty's Apology: 

          
          "Now we always thereafter remind one another of these things; and those that have the means assist them that are in need, and we visit one another continually. And at all our meals we bless the maker of all things through his son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Ghost."

          "And on the day which is called the day of the sun, there is an assembly of all who live in the towns or in the country; and the memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then the reader ceases, and the president speaks, admonishing us and exhorting us to to imitate these excellent examples. Then we arise all together and offer prayers; and as said before, when we have concluded our prayer, bread is brought, and wine and water, and the president in like manner offers up prayers and thanksgivings with all his might; and the people assent with "Amen"; and there is the distribution and partaking by all of the Eucharistic elements; and to them that are not present they are sent by the hand of the deacons. And they that are prosperous and wish to do so give what they will, each after his choice. What is collected is deposited with the president, who gives aid to the orphans and widows, and as such as are in want by reason of sickness or other cause; and to those also that are in prison, and to strangers from abroad, in fact to all that are in need he is a protector."
         
          "We hold our common assembly on the day of the sun, because it is the first day, on which God put to flight darkness and chaos and made the world, and on the same day Jesus Christ our saviour rose from the dead; for on the day before that of Saturn they crucified him; and on the day after Saturn's day, the day of the sun, he appeared to his Apostles and disciples and taught them these things, which we have also handed on to you for your consideration."

          Thus, as tradition, documents, other historical writings dictate, members of the  Christian community met on Sunday in one building or another, typically someone's home or a public or private meeting area. (There was no 'church' per se, because the body of believers IS 'the church', something Lollards fiercely adhere to.) There, they would:

- Read passages of the Old and New Testaments for "as long as time permits."
- Have the chief elder [president/presbyter] teach and exhort those present to follow the examples from the passages that had just been read.
- Have public prayer.
- Have communion.
- Take an offering for the orphans, widows, the sick and imprisoned, and other friends and strangers in need. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my Irish friends and acquaintances, and to all those who are Irish just for one day a year! Enjoy an amazing rendition of "Danny Boy" from my favourite choir.