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Continuing Stedfastly In The Breaking Of Bread

by Chris Simmons

“And they were continually devoting themselves to … the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42). Having considered last week what the early Christians were devoted to, or what they continued steadfastly in, regarding the apostles teaching and fellowship, we move on to consider what is said next in Acts 2:42, that is, “the breaking of bread”. It was discussed last week that “fellowship” meant a joint participation in the gospel. It was explained last week that biblical fellowship was not a matter of sharing meals and social occasions together. What then is the “breaking of bread” here discussing? Is this speaking of the practice of enjoying “potlucks”?

The word for “bread” here is “artos” and according to W. E. Vine can refer to in the New Testament either, “the loaf at the Lord's Supper, e.g., Matthew 26:26” or “bread of any kind, Matthew 16:11”. We must use the context to determine its meaning. It should be noted that the same expression “breaking of bread” is also used in Acts 2:46; “And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart”. In verse 46, the context speaks of a “breaking of bread” that was (1) done daily; (2) done “house to house”; and (3) represented a common meal (“taking their meals together”). Thus we can see that the context in verse 46 would decisively suggest that the “breaking of bread” is the ordinary bread consumed at a common meal. But what is the context in verse 42? The context is that of (1) teaching (of the inspired apostles), (2) spiritual fellowship and joint participation in the gospel and (3) prayer – all of which are acts of worship unto God. Thus, the context leads us to conclude that this “breaking of bread” refers to the unleavened loaf of bread that was broken and eaten as part of the Lord’s Supper in worship unto God.

There were some problems in some congregations of God’s people in the New Testament regarding the observance of the Lord’s Supper. To continue in the “apostles teaching” is to continue to practice what Paul wrote to the Corinthians about their observance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 11:20-22, “Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God, and shame those who have nothing?” Clearly, Paul instructs that the Lord’s Supper was not to be observed as a common meal. Common “eating and drinking” is to be done in our “houses”. Breaking bread in observance of the Lord’s Supper is to be done when we assemble and “meet together” in worship unto God.

While the “breaking of bread”, as part of a common meal, in Acts 2:46 was partaken of “day by day”, the worship of “breaking of bread” as part of the Lord’s Supper is taken of upon the first day of the week. We read in Acts 20:7, “And we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days. And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.” Paul and Luke waited seven days for the first day of the week to come so that they might “break bread” upon the first day of the week. And just as the Israelites understand that the command to “remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8) applied to any and all sabbath days, so we too must understand the need to plan as Paul and Luke did to be with our brethren on each and every first day of the week to “break bread” as part of the Lord’s Supper.

There are some other important aspects of the Lord’s Supper and the breaking of bread that Paul teaches us in I Corinthians chapter 11. First of all, It is “a memorial” (I Corinthians 11:23-25). It was instituted by the Lord Himself to commemorate His death on the cross for our sins (Matthew 26:26-28). It is a proclamation (I Corinthians 11:26) in which we proclaim our faith in the promise that “Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross” and that “by His wounds you were healed” (I Peter 2:24). It is a proclamation that is to be done until He comes again and thus represents a proclamation of our faith in His Second Coming. It is to be a period of extreme reverence (I Corinthians 1:27,29). In that passage, we are told that it is to be observed “in a worthy manner” out of respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins. We remember the cruel torture and humiliation of His physical body and the spiritual anguish suffered as the Son of God bore the punishment for our sins - cf. "My God, My God, Why has Thou forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34). To make light of this memorial is to put one in the same category as those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross! It is a time for self-examination (I Corinthians 11:28). As we observe, we are to be reflecting upon our own spiritual condition in relation to the sacrifice of Christ and consider whether we are we living in a manner that makes His sacrifice worthwhile. Otherwise, according to Hebrews 10:26-29, we could be guilty of having, “trampled under foot the Son of God”, “regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified” and “insulted the Spirit of grace”. We must examine ourselves, lest we, by refusing to repent of our sins, “crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.” It is a communion (sharing, fellowship) (I Corinthians 10:16) with the blood and body of Christ and thus a “vertical” relationship and fellowship with Christ as we commune.

To continue steadfastly and devotedly to the “breaking of bread” is to continue without wavering in our commitment to observe the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week.

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