These moral standards are seen throughout the writings of the early church. For example, notice the moral standards as based on the Didache c. 60-100AD.
A. I WILL FOLLOW THE “WAY OF LIFE”
1. I will treat my enemies with love. (1:3-6)
Love you enemies
Pray for them, fast for them
Turn your other cheek
Go the second mile
Give generously to anyone asking of you
2. I will avoid our list of DON’Ts (2:1-3:6)
Murder
Commit adultery
Corrupt boys
Have illicit sex
Practice magic
Make potions
Abort your offspring
Kill a newborn
Covet your neighbor’s things
Swear falsely
Bear false witness
Speak badly of anyone
Hold grudges
Make empty promises
Covetousness
Greed
Hypocracy
Bad-manners
Arrogance
Hating any person
Anger
Envy
Contentiousness
Hot-headed
Lustful
Divining, enchanting, astrology
Lover of money, seeker of glory
Self-pleasing, evil-minded
3. I will practice our lists of DO’s (3:7-4:14)
I will be gentle
Be merciful, harmless, calm & good
(Not be self-exalting)
Remember constantly my mentor & other saints in the church
(Not cause dissention but reconcile those fighting)
Ignore social status in correcting others
Focus on giving more then getting
Cheerfully give without grumbling to those in need
Be active in training my children
Treat my slaves rightly; (slaves should be subject to masters)
Hate hypocrisy
I will give to those in need
Keep these rules adding nothing or taking nothing away
Confess my failings in church
B I WILL AVOID THE “WAY OF DEATH”I will reject the “Way of death” as represented by the following (5:1-2)
Murders
Adulteries
Lusts
Illicit sex acts
Thefts
Idolatries
Magic
Potions
Sorceries
Perjuries
Hypocrisies
Double-heartedness
Trickery
Arrogance
Malice
Self-pleasing
Greed
Foul-speech
Jealousy
Audacity
Haughtiness
False-pretension
Hating truth/loving lies
Paying unjust wages
Not helping the poor
Murdering children
Turning away the needy
Advocating for the rich
Loving frivolous things
Insisting on recompense for everything
C CONCLUSION After learning the “Two ways” I make these final commitments. (5:1-6:3)
I will be wary of anyone drawing me away from this teaching.
As I am able to live all of this teaching I shall do it; but until I am able to bear some of it I shall bear whatever load I can for now yet keep my goal of carrying the entire load.
I will do my best to follow the traditions regarding eating food however I understand that eating anything sacrificed to idols is non-negotiable and I will abstain from it.