A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

§ 14. Church Organization 49lest any one should remove them from their appointed place. Forwe see that ye have displaced certain persons, though they wereliving honorably, from the ministration which had been honoredby them blamelessly.(b) Didache, 7-15.The Didache is a very early manual of the instruction forChristian converts. It consists of two quite distinct parts,viz., a brief account of the moral law (chapters 1-6). whichappears to be based upon a Jewish original to which the nameof The Two Ways has been given, and a somewhat longer [038]account of the various rites of the Church and the regulationsgoverning its organization. Its date is in the first half ofthe second century and belongs more probably to the firstquarter than to the second. It is a document of first-classimportance, especially in the part bearing on the organizationof the Church, which is here given. The extensive literatureon the subject may be found in Krüger. op. cit., § 21.Ch. 7. But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Havingfirst recited all these things, baptize in the name of the Father andof the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living [i.e., running] water.But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in any other water;and if thou art not able in cold, in warm. But if thou hast neither,pour water upon the head thrice in the name of the Father and ofthe Son and of the Holy Spirit. But before baptism let him thatbaptizeth and him that is baptized fast, and any others also whoare able; and thou shalt order him that is baptized to fast a day ortwo before.Ch. 8. And let not your fastings be with the hypocrites. Forthey fast on the second and the fifth days of the week; but doye keep your fast on the fourth and on the preparation [i.e., thesixth day]. Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord