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The Origins and Development of the Early Christian Church to AD 325

The development of the Eucharist from the Didache to Cyprian

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Overview

Unusual about the order of the prayers in the Didache, sunday assembly as Justin Martyr sets it out and significance of the eucharistic prayer in the Apostolic Tradition.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Describe the Sunday assembly as Justin Martyr sets it out.

Key term

What does Justin teach about what is received in the Eucharist?

Key term

What is the significance of the eucharistic prayer in the Apostolic Tradition?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does the Didache prescribe about who may receive the Eucharist?

    Model answer

    The Didache rules that no one may eat or drink of the thanksgiving except those baptised into the name of the Lord. The rule is supported by the saying that what is holy must not be given to dogs.

  2. 2

    What is unusual about the order of the prayers in the Didache?

    Model answer

    The Didache gives thanks first over the cup and then over the broken bread, the reverse of the New Testament sequence. The prayers also make no mention of the body and blood of Christ or of the words of institution, which is one reason scholars dispute whether the chapter describes a Eucharist or a fellowship meal.

  3. 3

    Quote the image of unity used in the Didache's thanksgiving over the bread.

    Model answer

    The prayer says that as the broken bread was once scattered over the hills and was gathered together to become one, so may the church be gathered from the ends of the earth into God's kingdom. The image makes unity the leading theme of the thanksgiving.

  4. 4

    What does the Didache say about the Lord's Day and about sacrifice?

    Model answer

    The Didache directs Christians to gather on the Lord's own day to break bread and give thanks, having first confessed their sins so that their sacrifice may be pure. It also applies the prophecy of Malachi about a pure offering made in every place, which is the earliest Christian use of sacrificial language for the Eucharist.

  5. 5

    Describe the Sunday assembly as Justin Martyr sets it out.

    Model answer

    Justin says that on the day called Sunday all who live in town or country gather in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read for as long as time permits. The president then preaches, all stand and pray, bread and wine mixed with water are brought, thanksgiving is offered, the people say Amen, the deacons distribute and take a portion to those absent, and a collection is made for orphans, widows and those in need.

  6. 6

    Why does Justin say Christians meet on Sunday?

    Model answer

    Justin explains that Sunday is the first day, on which God made the world out of darkness and matter. Justin adds that it is also the day on which Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

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