I would not look to the
Didache or indeed any of the Church Fathers for help with Bible doctrines. They don't agree with each other, and, more importantly, they don't agree with the Bible.
The
Didache is interesting, however, when it reveals how First Century Greek-speaking Christians understood the word
'baptizo.' 7:1 And concerning baptism, baptize in this way: After stating all these things beforehand, baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in living water.
7:2 And if you do not have living water, baptize into other water, and if you are not able to baptize in cold water then do so in warm.
7:3 And if you do not have both, pour water on the head thrice in the name of Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit.
Notice here that you can baptize in running water; you can baptize in cold water or warm water, but you cannot baptize by pouring, because that would be a
non sequitur. Baptizo means 'dipping' or 'immersion.' It doesn't mean 'pouring' or 'sprinkling.' Pouring is allowed by the
Didache, but it doesn't call it 'baptism.'
Steve
