the late 1st – early 2nd century

The Didache (the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)

The Didache is an early manual of church life and order. It was presumably composed in Syria or Palestine in the late 1st to early 2nd century from texts of varying date. It was discovered only in the 1870s.

It includes the moral code of the "Two Ways" – to life and to death. The code is similar to the Epistle of Barnabas and the Qumran texts, and catechumens memorized it before baptism. The document also gives instructions on baptism, fasting, prayer, and the Eucharist. Baptism is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the earliest mention of threefold pouring. Fasting is on Wednesdays and Fridays, unlike the "hypocrites". The Lord's Prayer is said three times a day.

The document gives criteria for recognizing false prophets ("traders in Christ"). It reflects the transition from the ministry of itinerant apostles, prophets and teachers to the settled ministry of bishops (presbyters) and deacons chosen by the community (chs. 14–15).

An early moralism and legalism, without a systematic statement of doctrine, also characterizes other apostolic-father writings of this time. Examples are Clement of Rome and the Shepherd of Hermas.