Transcript Breaking Bread

“Breaking Bread”
The expression "break bread" does not have much
meaning and application to the average
American. In fact, "breaking bread" would be viewed
as idiomatic and awkward by most today. However,
in Bible days and lands, the expression was very
relevant and meaningful. "Break bread" is also seen
in connection with many Bible verses and
teaching. First, we need to appreciate the
importance of bread in Bible days.
“Breaking Bread”
"Bread the principal food. In the Orient it has been
estimated that three-fourths of the people live
entirely upon either bread or upon that which is
made from wheat or barley flour. It is
unquestionably the principal food of the East"
(James Freeman, Handbook of Bible Manners and
Customs, p. 50).
“Breaking Bread”
Regarding bread, the devil challenged Jesus to turn
the stones into bread during Jesus' temptation
(Matt. 4: 3). Jesus teaches his followers to pray for
their "daily bread" and showed the commonness of
bread as a staple when he mentioned that a father
would not provide his son a stone, but "bread"
(Matt. 6: 11; Matt. 7: 9). Bread kept well and
therefore was perfect to take on a journey and the
giving of thanks was offered before taking of bread
(Matt. 16: 5; Acts 27: 35).
“Breaking Bread”
In view of bread being the staff of life, it was very
fitting that Jesus is said to be the "Bread from
heaven" (John 6: 32, 35, cp. I Cor. 10: 17). He is
also said to be the "Bread of life" and Living Bread"
(John 6: 33, 51).
“Breaking Bread”
"Since there is this attitude of sacredness in relation
to 'staff of life,' there grows out of it the universal
Eastern custom of 'breaking' bread and not cutting
it…. To cut bread would be thought of as cutting life
itself. This custom of breaking bread rather than
cutting it, is found throughout the scriptures. In
Lamentations 4: 4 we read: 'The young children ask
bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.' Thus the
expression 'breaking of bread' came to mean the
taking of a meal whatever was included in the
meal….
“Breaking Bread”
…Because Christ broke bread when he
instituted the ordinance of the Lord's
Supper, the expression came to refer to
that ordinance. Matthew 26: 26: 'Jesus
took bread, and blessed it, and brake it,
and gave to his disciples.' Thus we
read in Acts 20: 7: 'And upon the first
day of the week, when the disciples
came together to break bread, Paul
preached to them’" (Manners and
Customs of Bible Lands, p. 45, by Fred
Wight).
“Breaking Bread”
"Breaking bread" was something commonly done
by the early Christians. Breaking of bread is used in
two different contexts. First, there is the breaking of
bread used in connection with the Lord's Supper, a
memorial to remember Jesus' death and to declare
his coming again (Matt. 26: 26-29, I Cor. 11: 2334). The breaking of bread in the sense of the
Lord's Supper was a regular and constant act of
public worship performed on the "first day of the
week" in which the early church engaged (Acts 2:
42).
“Breaking Bread”
The Christians met on the Lord's Day
"…to break bread" (Acts 20: 7). It is
obvious that "break bread" here is not a
common meal because this is the
express reason for them coming together
on the First Day of the week, the day of
public worship in the New Testament (cp.
I Cor. 16: 1ff., cp. Acts 2: 46). The
expression "breaking of bread" is also
used to describe what the Christians did
"from house to house" (Greek, kar oikon,
Acts 2: 46).
“Breaking Bread”
As seen, "break bread" is highly significant in terms
of the worship of the early church. In view of the
language of Acts 20: 7, it is apparent that the
breaking of bread was and is the very core of the
Lord's Day assembly. This memorial celebrates the
death and resurrection of Jesus, the very
foundation of the belief of the Christian (I Cor. 11: 2334).
“Breaking Bread”
Jesus said when he instituted this memorial:
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and
blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples,
and said, Take, eat; this is my body" (Matt. 26: 26,
cp. I Cor. 11; 24).
“Breaking Bread”
It is evident that not only were the early Christians
constant in their public worship and assemblies, they
also made opportunities to be with one another.
Some of this was, no doubt, due to their onset zeal
and enthusiasm. We read: "And they, continuing
daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart" (Acts 2: 46).
The "breaking of bread" (Gk., klontes arton) in Acts 2:
46 is clearly referring to a meal. I say this because it
is distinguished from them being in the temple and it
was done "daily."
“Breaking Bread”
Also, notice the expression, "…did eat their meat.,"
such language would not be appropriate for the
Lord's Supper. In Acts 20: 11, "broken bread" (Gk.,
klasas ton arton) appears to be a meal in view of
the general language and description and also due
to the fact the meal of verse eleven appears to have
been on the second day of the week or our Monday
(see vs. 7-11). It is, though, worthy of note that in
both texts, Acts 2 and Acts 20, we see "break
bread" used to reference both the spiritual meal, the
Lord's Supper and a common meal (Acts 2: 42, 20:
7; 2: 46, 20: 11). Notwithstanding, the two are
distinguished and observed as separate.
“Breaking Bread”
While the concept of "fellowship" is definitely
observed relative to the "breaking of bread" as it
pertained to the Lord's Supper, "fellowship" is never
applied to the common meals (I Cor. 10: 21). It is
sad to see the emphasis that many churches, even
some churches of Christ, have placed on their
common meals. I have had preachers to tell me
when I asked them what they considered to be their
most important effort to reach the lost and edify the
saved:
“Breaking Bread”
"Brother Martin, our fellowship meals are the most
important aspect of the work of our local
church." When I would tell them that we do read of
the importance of and the associated fellowship
regarding the Lord's Supper, they would explain,
"I am not talking about that, but the common meal
we have in the church building, in which all are
invited."
“Breaking Bread”
Two foreign (not in the scriptures) practices have
evolved: The building and maintaining of "fellowship
halls" (monies used from church treasuries) and
common meals they call "fellowship meals." The
"fellowship halls" have now evolved to include just
about every imaginable activity from movie
theaters showing secular movies to elaborate game
rooms for fun and frolic, all in the church budget.
Some being attracted by means of the physical and
the comparatively tawdry, however, is not new.
“Breaking Bread”
"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the
miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and
were filled. Labour not for the meat which
perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto
everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give
unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed" (John
6: 26, 27).
“Breaking Bread”
Many have secularized "fellowship" today and
turned the common meal so carefully distinguished
in scripture from the public worship and spiritual
fellowship of the early Christians into not only part
of their spiritual worship, but the main feature.
“Breaking Bread”
In terms of the "breaking of bread" involved in the
Lord's Supper, such is a great privilege to be able to
come together on the Lord's Day and gather
around the Lord's table in remembrance of Jesus
(Acts 20: 7). In a different application and
circumstance, Christians need to get together,
"break bread" and enjoy one another's company,
"from house to house" (Acts 2: 46).
“Breaking Bread”
Let us be continue to be careful to separate the
“breaking of bread” in Acts 2: 42 and verse 46.
The Lord’s Supper
A common meal