Comparing Baptism in the Didache and the Nazarene Manual

The Teaching (Didache) of the Twelve Apostles begins with a discussion on “The Two Ways” (chs. 1-6): “The Way of Life” and “The Way of Death.” The next section is made up of orders on “Ritual Sacraments” (chs. 7-10), including Baptism, Fasting, and Communion. This is followed by instructions on “The Ministry” and “Traveling Prophets” (chs. 11-15). The work ends with a “Brief Apocalypse” (ch. 16).

I noticed there to be similarities towards the end of the Epistle of Barnabas with the Didache, specifically in regard to “The Two Ways” mentioned in both works –  The Way of Righteousness and The Way of Wickedness. The two works seem to be closely related to each other. Throughout the Didache, we can also see the foundations of later church manuals forming, even our own Manual in the Church of the Nazarene. There are similarities and differences between what we see in the Didache (as well as similar works at the time such as the aforementioned Epistle of Barnabas and The Shepherd of Hermas) and other more modern church manuals, including our own in the Church of the Nazarene.

On Baptism, the Didache states that an explanation of baptism must first be presented before the candidate is baptized. In a similar way, the Nazarene Manual presents an outline and liturgy to be presented with the rite of Baptism. The Nazarene Manual quotes Paul’s writing in Romans on the subject, explaining that “we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death: in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The Nazarene Manual also quotes from the Apostles’ Creed and the instruction is given for the candidate to publicly affirm belief in the statements of the Creed.

The Didache also says that one must be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Nazarene Manual says the same thing, and both texts are referring back to the command of Jesus to do so at the end of Matthew’s Gospel.

The Didache teaches that baptism must be done in flowing (not stagnant) water, and that preferably the water should be cold, but warm water will do if cold water is not available. However, the Nazarene Manual does not specify on either the movement of the water nor the temperature. This is likely because modern Nazarenes do not typically see the significance of “moving water” in the same way that classical Jews would have.

The Didache also says that if there is not very much water available (like in a river or stream), then the water that is available should be poured onto the head of the candidate three times, and done so in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

The Nazarene Manual does not have a preferred form of baptism, but only states that the preferred form of baptism should be used, and it lists three different options: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Whichever of these three options is chosen shall also be done in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Didache also states that both the baptizer and the baptized should fast for two days before the ceremony, but the Nazarene Manual has no such command, and fasting is only touched upon elsewhere and not considered to be a necessary requirement of baptism.