The Way it Started...
Three families had gathered in the courtyard of Gnaeus Gallus' home. Two had a long history together, the third had only been introduced to them that day. Six adults and their children, eleven in all, ranging from infant to early twenties, waited patiently for the speaker to arrive.
This was an uncomfortable turn of events. Each of these families had encountered the speaker at the fountain in the center of town. Each of these families, through different members had come to believe the words and stories of the speaker, and had accepted the invitation to become a part of this new sect which was finding adherents all over Asia minor. What had started out as private dinner invitations to the speaker only, had now become something more. A "gathering", as he had called it, of those who were part of this sect. This gathering represented the speaker's last three months of telling his stories. Gnaeus was not the least bit comfortable with this new aspect of worship.
Children of similar ages were playing a quiet game that required they tag each other, then freeze. The adult men sat in silent observation of the children opposite the women, two of whom were engaged in animated conversation, the third sat as a hushed outsider. The afternoon sun was waning, and the shadows crept farther across the courtyard. Servants came and lit lamps in the corners, and a fire pit was brought to life in the center, providing light and warmth for those waiting.
"He should be here soon" remarked Gnaeus, "we'll have our meal then."
The other men nodded in mute acknowledgment of this plan.
Suddenly, from the doorway into the courtyard, a servant moved aside and allowed a short, dark middle-aged and balding man to enter in. His head was partially covered by a shawl, his nose was long and sharp, and his eyes were black as tar. In his hand he clutched a scroll, and he waved it in greeting to those gathered. It was the speaker they had been waiting for.
"Sorry I'm late!" he said, almost singing, through a broad smile. "Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ!"
"Greetings in the name of Jesus." responded the group.
"Will you tell us more stories?" blurted out one small child impetuously.
"shhhh!" retorted his mother.
"I've come with something wonderful! Today, I recieved from Jerusalem a letter." he paused dramatically, "From the leaders of the gathering there, those who walked with Jesus, when He walked this earth!" He looked from face to face, making sure that this news was taken with the proper awe. Satisfied that his point had been made, he continued, "This letter will be the foundation of this gathering. This will help you know how to carry on when I leave here, so that you can continue on in the faith, and lead others to know this hope also!"
Gnaeus was pleased with this. He had truly experienced a change when he embraced the teaching of this little man and his stories about Jesus the Christ. But he had wondered about the purpose of this gathering, and how it would take shape. Now there was something to work with, something to help set the stage for this new way of living.
The speaker opened up the scroll, and began to read.
The Didache continued:
Chapter 4 “Relationships, Temporal and Spritiual”
My child, whether it’s daytime or nighttime, be sure to pray for those who are teaching the Word of God to you. Be respectful to them because when the Word of God is being taught, it’s as though the Lord Himself is there speaking. Every day you should look for, and hang out with those who are moving deeper in their relationship with the Lord, because you can really find good support in that kind of company and conversation.
Unity is precious; don’t do anything that would divide people from each other, but actively work to keep everyone together, in peace. If you find yourself needing to help mediate in a quarrel, do it impartially, and according to what’s right. Then you can stand firm in your decision, and you should too.
Don’t always be on the receiving end of gifts, and then suddenly have withered arms when it comes your turn to give. If you have money and goods passing through your hands, be generous with it all. That kind of generosity reveals a heart ransomed from sin. Muttering under your breath as you give, or clutching the dollar you reluctantly give away isn’t the right way to give either. You need to remember, you can’t out give God, the real Head of payroll, in charge of bonuses for those who give generously. Don’t you dare turn a blind eye to your brother when he’s in need. Instead, look at him as a co-owner of everything you have, because in reality, nothing is totally yours anyway. After all, you are all co-owners of everything God gives spiritually, eternal salvation, so it only makes sense that temporal things should be considered community property as well.
Never neglect your responsibilities to your children. Not just for physical needs, but teach them proper respect for God as well.
If you have employees, don’t give orders to them out of anger, especially if they’re also Christians, because that could cause them to begin equating your authority with God’s which rules you both, and they might lose their right perspective and respect. God doesn’t’ reach out to people based on a social pecking order, but comes to men and women solely on their readiness to receive His Spirit.
If you’re an employee, be a really good employee, doing all your work as though you were doing it for God Himself, and be humble and respectful as you do it.
It’s alright to hate playacting in spirituality…pretending to be something your not. Hate everything that isn’t in harmony with God’s good character. Don’t ever give up on seeking to know and do what the Lord wants you to do, and actively determine to do all the stuff you’ve been taught to do (without adding a lot of other condemning requirments or leaving off the things that seem too hard).
Be honest and real when you’re with the church. If you blew it, be willing to admit it. Don’t hide your wrong attitudes or actions under the guise of prayer; listen to your conscience. Remember, this is the way of LIFE we’re on.
This was an uncomfortable turn of events. Each of these families had encountered the speaker at the fountain in the center of town. Each of these families, through different members had come to believe the words and stories of the speaker, and had accepted the invitation to become a part of this new sect which was finding adherents all over Asia minor. What had started out as private dinner invitations to the speaker only, had now become something more. A "gathering", as he had called it, of those who were part of this sect. This gathering represented the speaker's last three months of telling his stories. Gnaeus was not the least bit comfortable with this new aspect of worship.
Children of similar ages were playing a quiet game that required they tag each other, then freeze. The adult men sat in silent observation of the children opposite the women, two of whom were engaged in animated conversation, the third sat as a hushed outsider. The afternoon sun was waning, and the shadows crept farther across the courtyard. Servants came and lit lamps in the corners, and a fire pit was brought to life in the center, providing light and warmth for those waiting.
"He should be here soon" remarked Gnaeus, "we'll have our meal then."
The other men nodded in mute acknowledgment of this plan.
Suddenly, from the doorway into the courtyard, a servant moved aside and allowed a short, dark middle-aged and balding man to enter in. His head was partially covered by a shawl, his nose was long and sharp, and his eyes were black as tar. In his hand he clutched a scroll, and he waved it in greeting to those gathered. It was the speaker they had been waiting for.
"Sorry I'm late!" he said, almost singing, through a broad smile. "Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ!"
"Greetings in the name of Jesus." responded the group.
"Will you tell us more stories?" blurted out one small child impetuously.
"shhhh!" retorted his mother.
"I've come with something wonderful! Today, I recieved from Jerusalem a letter." he paused dramatically, "From the leaders of the gathering there, those who walked with Jesus, when He walked this earth!" He looked from face to face, making sure that this news was taken with the proper awe. Satisfied that his point had been made, he continued, "This letter will be the foundation of this gathering. This will help you know how to carry on when I leave here, so that you can continue on in the faith, and lead others to know this hope also!"
Gnaeus was pleased with this. He had truly experienced a change when he embraced the teaching of this little man and his stories about Jesus the Christ. But he had wondered about the purpose of this gathering, and how it would take shape. Now there was something to work with, something to help set the stage for this new way of living.
The speaker opened up the scroll, and began to read.
The Didache continued:
Chapter 4 “Relationships, Temporal and Spritiual”
My child, whether it’s daytime or nighttime, be sure to pray for those who are teaching the Word of God to you. Be respectful to them because when the Word of God is being taught, it’s as though the Lord Himself is there speaking. Every day you should look for, and hang out with those who are moving deeper in their relationship with the Lord, because you can really find good support in that kind of company and conversation.
Unity is precious; don’t do anything that would divide people from each other, but actively work to keep everyone together, in peace. If you find yourself needing to help mediate in a quarrel, do it impartially, and according to what’s right. Then you can stand firm in your decision, and you should too.
Don’t always be on the receiving end of gifts, and then suddenly have withered arms when it comes your turn to give. If you have money and goods passing through your hands, be generous with it all. That kind of generosity reveals a heart ransomed from sin. Muttering under your breath as you give, or clutching the dollar you reluctantly give away isn’t the right way to give either. You need to remember, you can’t out give God, the real Head of payroll, in charge of bonuses for those who give generously. Don’t you dare turn a blind eye to your brother when he’s in need. Instead, look at him as a co-owner of everything you have, because in reality, nothing is totally yours anyway. After all, you are all co-owners of everything God gives spiritually, eternal salvation, so it only makes sense that temporal things should be considered community property as well.
Never neglect your responsibilities to your children. Not just for physical needs, but teach them proper respect for God as well.
If you have employees, don’t give orders to them out of anger, especially if they’re also Christians, because that could cause them to begin equating your authority with God’s which rules you both, and they might lose their right perspective and respect. God doesn’t’ reach out to people based on a social pecking order, but comes to men and women solely on their readiness to receive His Spirit.
If you’re an employee, be a really good employee, doing all your work as though you were doing it for God Himself, and be humble and respectful as you do it.
It’s alright to hate playacting in spirituality…pretending to be something your not. Hate everything that isn’t in harmony with God’s good character. Don’t ever give up on seeking to know and do what the Lord wants you to do, and actively determine to do all the stuff you’ve been taught to do (without adding a lot of other condemning requirments or leaving off the things that seem too hard).
Be honest and real when you’re with the church. If you blew it, be willing to admit it. Don’t hide your wrong attitudes or actions under the guise of prayer; listen to your conscience. Remember, this is the way of LIFE we’re on.
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