The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

The longer title is supposed to be the original one; the shorter, a popular abridgment. The latter has no real connection with Acts ii. 42. Many hold that the term “nations” (or “Gentiles”) points to a Jewish Christian as the author (so Bryennios), though this is denied by others (so Brown). A similar diversity of opinion exists as to the class of readers; but, if the early date is accepted, the more probable theory is, that the first part at least of the manual was for the instruction of catechumens of Gentile birth (so Bryennios, Schaff). Others extend it to Gentile Christians.