| Abstract
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Toward the goal of maintaining order in worship without limiting the free movement of the Holy Spirit, the Didache promotes a community ethos that can be characterized as ‘chaordic’. This is to say that there is a tolerance for chaos, but boundaries are set in place. This paper examines how the Didache navigates the tension between chaos and order as it pertains to four elements of community life: the practice of the law, baptism, public worship, and hospitality. It is seen that even as rituals are established, outward form does not overshadow spiritual substance: worship is to be both structured and free; prophecy is welcomed, but must be tested; leaders are honored, but are required to serve; guests are welcomed, but hospitality has limitations. This ‘chaordic’ ethos of the Didache is of historical interest to Pentecostals and is relevant to culturally diverse churches today. Toward the goal of maintaining order in worship without limiting the free movement of the Holy Spirit, the Didache promotes a community ethos that can be characterized as ‘chaordic’. This is to say that there is a tolerance for chaos, but boundaries are set in place. This paper examines how the Didache navigates the tension between chaos and order as it pertains to four elements of community life: the practice of the law, baptism, public worship, and hospitality. It is seen that even as rituals are established, outward form does not overshadow spiritual substance: worship is to be both structured and free; prophecy is welcomed, but must be tested; leaders are honored, but are required to serve; guests are welcomed, but hospitality has limitations. This ‘chaordic’ ethos of the Didache is of historical interest to Pentecostals and is relevant to culturally diverse churches today.
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