So far I have share my understanding of GW regarding witnessing to atheists, God's requirement for salvation, the teachings of Jesus and Paul, key OT teachings, the history of beliefs, and the controversial issue of abortion. Now I will introduce the didache, which are doctrines that build on the essential Gospel. Hebrews 6:1-3 indicates that Christians should not only learn the Gospel or God’s requirement for salvation (which may be signified by the Greek word for preaching,
kerygma) but also go on to learning teachings that will lead to moral maturity (which may be distinguished by use of the Greek word for teaching,
didache), and “God permitting”,
this study will discuss didachaic doctrines that will build on the kerygmatic foundation–being careful how we build (1Cor. 3:10-11)–and lead believers to become blameless in practice as well as because of forgiveness in Christ (Eph. 1:4-7).
Perhaps we should note that although the
didache is not most important or necessary to know/believe in order to be saved, it is very important and requisite for becoming spiritually mature,
The distinction between kerygma/saving faith and didache/sanctifying faith was made by Jesus when He commissioned His disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). The
kerygma is indicated by verse 19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations”, and the
didache is implicit in verse 20, “teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.” It
is the “all truth” that is taught by the Spirit referred to in John 16:13. The distinction is made also in 2Tim. 3:15-17 and 1 Cor. 3:10-15.
As the didache is studied with the aim of achieving moral maturity, one should not think that it will be perfectly attained during this earthly sojourn, because Paul said (in Phil. 3:12-14), “Not that I have already… been made perfect, but I press on… toward the goal… for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. Paul went on to condemn those who “live as enemies of the cross of Christ… whose destiny is destruction” (Phil. 18b-19a). Thus, he connected saving faith (Eph. 2:8-9) with sanctifying good works (Eph. 2:10), which is the likely meaning of Rom. 1:17: “In the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed… that is by faith from first to last” (cf. Hab. 2:4).
If we truly believe in Jesus as Lord, we will want to please Him by cooperating with His will (Matt. 7:21, Eph. 5:8-10), but remaining faithful is as easy as an act of our will, even though Jesus referred to His yoke as a cross (Matt. 11:29-30, 16:24), and Peter acknowledged that a believer’s joy may sometimes be despite suffering (1Pet. 1:6-9). Paul explained that the reason Christ called some to be pastor-teachers is “to prepare God’s people for works of service… until we all reach unity in the faith… and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11b-13), which fullness is indicated by having the power to love (Eph. 3:16-19), which is why Paul said “In Christ Jesus… the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Gal. 5:6, cf. v. 22-23).
Paul urged believers to renew their minds by learning God’s perfect will (Rom. 12:2), which is conveyed via inspired Scripture and “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Tim. 2:17). This is why Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Learning the manifold teachings regarding God’s moral will takes a lifetime, so let us continue to persevere from “what we have already attained” or learned (Phil. 3:16, 2Tim. 3:14), “making every effort to add to our faith goodness… godliness… and love” (2Pet. 1:5-7).
Fullness is indicated by having the power to love (
Eph. 3:16-19), which is why Paul said “In Christ Jesus… the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (
Gal. 5:6, cf. v.
22-23). The
didache teaches God’s will regarding how saints or those who have been saved should live in order to be a good witness for Christ, which involves learning more of God’s Word throughout one’s lifetime (
Col. 2:6-7).
Building on the kerygma is important, but because believers are fallible, they may disagree about how to interpret secondary doctrines regarding relatively minor issues.
May we receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around fellow Christians based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf.
John 17:20-23, “May they be one…”), because unity regarding the Gospel is more important than accuracy regarding doctrinal details, so may we feel free to speak honestly and disagree friendly without becoming unduly upset.
An obvious hint from Scripture about building on saving faith is the list of additions in 2 Peter 1:5-7: “faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, love” because these qualities will make our knowledge of the Gospel productive and give reasons for confidence in our election (v. 8-11). Paul was confident that God, “who began a good work you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6), meaning the Second Coming or Judgment Day.
Other than saving faith being first, it does not appear that Peter’s list is in a particular order, and it may be compared with Paul’s list of fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. We can note that qualities cited in both lists include: faith, love, goodness, kindness, and self-control, with godliness being akin to goodness, and perseverance being akin to faithfulness.
Also, we know that several places in Scripture “love” is employed as the summary term that includes the rest of godly attributes (as in Matt. 22:37-40, John 13:35, Gal. 5:6 and James 2:8). Paul prayed that “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless” (Phil. 1:9). This prayer is echoed (in Col. 1:9-12a) by Paul’s request that believers would be filled “with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding… in order that they may life a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work… being strengthened with all power… so that they may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks.”
Ephesians chapter four seems to begin explaining the meaning of Ephesians 2:10, so perhaps it would be edifying to collect a list of didachaic doctrines based on what Paul says there. Verse 1 instructs believers to live a life worthy of the calling they have received, which Paul describes as including the following: Live worthy of the calling to be a Christian (v.1); Be humble, gentle and patient (v.2);
Maintain the unity of the Spirit (v.3); Speak the truth in love (v.15&25).
