How Did the Didache Influence Christian Worship in the Early Church?
1. The Didache as a Window into Early Christian Worship
The Didache, also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, provides one of the earliest glimpses into the structure of Christian worship after the New Testament period. Written in the late first or early second century, the Didache contains instructions on prayer, fasting, baptism, Eucharist, and communal life. While it is not part of the biblical canon, it reflects how the earliest believers sought to order their worship according to the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.
Its emphasis on moral conduct, liturgical order, and the anticipation of Christ’s return shows that worship was not simply about gathering but about shaping lives around the kingdom of God. The Bible commands believers to worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), and the Didache illustrates how this was practiced in a concrete way within local communities.
2. The Role of Prayer in Worship
One of the central elements of worship in the Didache is prayer. Christians were commanded to pray the Lord’s Prayer three times daily (Didache 8), a direct application of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:9–13. This shows that worship extended beyond weekly gatherings—it shaped daily life.
Prayers were also prescribed for meals, particularly in connection with the Eucharist. The thanksgiving prayers in Didache 9–10 reflect themes of unity, redemption, and eschatological hope. These prayers echo Paul’s words: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16).
By rooting worship in structured prayer, the Didache reinforced that the Christian life is sustained by continual dependence on God. Worship was not occasional but ongoing, sanctifying every part of daily existence.
3. Baptism and the Beginning of Worship
The Didache provides detailed instructions about baptism in chapter 7. Candidates were to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, preferably in living (running) water. If this was not available, pouring water on the head three times was acceptable. Both the baptizer and the candidate were expected to fast beforehand, joining prayer with preparation.
This shows that baptism was viewed as an act of worship. It was the doorway into the church, marking one’s participation in the body of Christ. The Bible similarly connects baptism to new life: “We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead … we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
In the Didache, baptism was not treated as a private ritual but as a communal act, celebrated with prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving. It shaped the rhythm of worship by incorporating new believers into the life of the church.
4. The Eucharist as the Center of Worship
The Didache devotes significant attention to the Eucharist. In chapters 9 and 10, specific thanksgiving prayers are recorded for the cup and bread. These prayers emphasize God’s creative power, his covenant with David, and the unity of the church gathered from the ends of the earth.
Unlike Paul’s letters, the Didache does not explicitly mention Christ’s death in these prayers, but the focus on thanksgiving and unity reflects the same biblical themes found in passages such as 1 Corinthians 11:23–26. The emphasis on “gathering the church into your kingdom” reveals the eschatological dimension of worship—Christians partook of the Eucharist with the expectation of Christ’s return.
For the early church, the Eucharist was not only a memorial but also an act of hope. As Jesus said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).
5. The Lord’s Day and Weekly Worship
The Didache also instructs Christians to gather on “the Lord’s Day” (Didache 14) to break bread, give thanks, and confess sins. This shows that Sunday worship was already established in the early church, reflecting the day of Christ’s resurrection (Mark 16:2; Acts 20:7).
Confession of sins before the Eucharist highlighted the holiness of worship. The community was called to reconcile before approaching the table, echoing Jesus’ teaching: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you … first be reconciled” (Matthew 5:23–24).
This regular pattern of gathering shaped the rhythm of the Christian week, grounding worship in both remembrance and renewal.
6. Worship and Leadership in the Didache
Chapters 11–15 of the Didache discuss the roles of apostles, prophets, teachers, bishops, and deacons. It warns against false teachers while urging respect for genuine leaders. Worship was not only about liturgical order but also about spiritual oversight.
This reflects biblical teaching that leaders are gifts from Christ to his church (Ephesians 4:11–12). Prayer for leaders and discernment about their character were part of worship. The Didache connects worship to community order, showing that the church was a body with diverse roles under the authority of Christ.
7. Eschatology and Worship in the Didache
The closing chapter of the Didache (16) contains an eschatological exhortation, often called its “little apocalypse.” It warns of false prophets, tribulation, and the coming of the Lord. Worship was not only about the present but also about preparing for the end.
This reflects Jesus’ own words in Matthew 24, where he told his disciples to remain watchful and prayerful. Worship in the Didache was shaped by anticipation: “May grace come, and may this world pass away.” The community prayed not only for daily bread but also for the arrival of God’s kingdom in fullness.
Christian worship in the early church, as shaped by the Didache, was therefore deeply eschatological. It looked back to Christ’s saving work and forward to his return.
8. The Gospel Shape of Worship in the Didache
Taken together, the Didache shows that worship was:
Rooted in the teaching of Jesus, especially the Lord’s Prayer and the command to baptize.
Centered on thanksgiving in the Eucharist.
Structured around weekly gatherings on the Lord’s Day.
Guided by leaders who taught, prophesied, and shepherded the flock.
Directed toward the coming kingdom of God.
This pattern reflects the Gospel itself. The Didache teaches that Christian worship is about remembering Christ’s work, living in daily obedience, and longing for the day when God will dwell with his people forever (Revelation 21:3–5).
Conclusion
The Didache provides invaluable insight into how early Christians worshiped. Its instructions on prayer, baptism, Eucharist, weekly gatherings, leadership, and eschatology show that worship was central to Christian identity. It was not a matter of preference but of obedience to Christ and anticipation of his kingdom.
By looking at the Didache, the church today is reminded that worship is the heartbeat of discipleship. It gathers believers around the Gospel, sustains them in faith, and points them to the hope of Christ’s return.
Bible Verses About Worship
John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”
Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”
Romans 12:1, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”
1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?”
1 Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you … singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Hebrews 10:25, “Not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Revelation 4:11, “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”
Revelation 21:3–4, “Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
