Introduction to the Didascalia Apostolorum (Full Script)

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Introduction to the Didascalia Apostolorum

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRODUCTION

The Didascalia Apostolorum is Latin meaning the Teaching of the Apostles.  Finding information about the origin of this work is nearly impossible.  In fact, the first reference to it was made by Epiphanius of Salmis around 360 AD.

AUTHOR AND DATE

The work claims to be written by all of the apostles and is written in first person.  Very few scholars, however, have said it is authentically authored by the apostles themselves.  It is my opinion that this was not written by the apostles.  Otherwise, the work would have been far more popular through the early centuries and guaranteed a place in the New Testament canon.

Most scholars place it in the later third century.  Others place it in the early third century.  Few place it in the fourth century.  Upon researching the theories and beliefs about when this work was written, I am unable to estimate an approximate date.  Therefore, it will be generalized to the third century.

CONTENT

The Didascalia Apostolorum is made up of seven books, the seventh being a copy of the Didache, which is from the first century.  The work includes details about the Christian life, the offices in the church, widows, helping the poor, martyrdom, prayer, heresies, and many, many other things.

Most people familiar with Christian history will know the Didascalia Apostolorum as the Apostolic Constitutions.  Around AD 390, an eighth book in circulation was added and all were compiled into this one work.  Most scholars believe that the eighth book was written during the mid to late fourth century which places it long after the Council of Nicaea.  A portion of the eighth book is called the Canons of the Apostles which had a little more popularity.  Though the Didascalia Apostolorum has been included in—and called—the Apostolic Constitutions, this channel will be concerned with the first seven books, which are Pre-Nicene works, and will not include the eighth book, which is a Post-Nicene work.