The Holy Word: The History and Function of the Teachings of Jesus in the Theology and Praxis of the Early Church

Abstract

There is an abundance of evidence to support the thesis that the teachings of Jesus, what the early church called ‘The Holy Word’, functioned as the basis of Christian doctrine and practice from the beginning of the Christian era at least as far as Eusebius. The key to it all seems to have been the sanctity with which these teachings were regarded, treasured and used within the early church. They believed he was the Son of God, and they treated his words accordingly. As the author of 2 Peter summarized it: ‘Remember … the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles' (3. 2). Clement of Rome echoed the same message: ‘Let us walk in obedience to his hallowed words’ (Epistle 13. 3); and Papias characterized himself as one who ‘took delight in those who recall the commandments given to the faith by the lord’ (HE III, 39. 2–4). The church was the church of the Holy Word; and the NT is the written record of that word as it found expression in the life and thought of the church. So the history of the word, the history of the church and the history of the NT are one and the same history.