Breaking Bread

Acts 2:42 has Luke’s only use of the phrase “breaking of bread.” Robertson and Barnes suggest some confusion over the exact meaning of the phrase as to indicating a common meal together or partaking of the elements of the Lord’s Supper. Could the seeming vagueness of Luke’s phraseology be a modern day problem of societal understanding and not one of translation? Could it not be even in sharing a common meal with other believers in true fellowship that something sacramental is taking place. One thing to keep in mind is Luke was not writing to a society who had ritualized communion as latter generations have observed it.
With Luke’s description of the believers eating together from house to house (Acts 2:46), and Paul’s significant instruction on sharing the Lord's Supper together in 1 Cor. 11:17-34, there seems to be no doubt as to the impact and necessity of eating together. What would either of these prophets say about today’s sanitized version of “breaking bread”? The ritual observed in most American church services is a far cry from the building of relationships envisioned by Jesus and the disciples.
That is not to say that there is not true meaning in the way the Lord’s Supper is shared in most churches, but is there more that God intended. When Paul rehearsed the words of institution for the Corinthian church, his rebuke of their practice was because of their casual and cliquish approach to this momentous celebration. Relationships were being broken, not mended. The “Body of Christ” was being bruised and battered by the cavalier attitude of those who had food for the feast against those who did not. Arrogance and pride should never be invited to share a meal at the table of remembrance.
Perhaps it is time to revisit this expression of God’s grace and the unity believers are to share, to discover again the Divine design in truly breaking bread together. Twenty-five years ago The Cypress Valley Bible Church began a journey of discovery as to the how and when of the Lord’s Supper. Their simple conclusion: it was a supper, not a service, and it was done as often as the church gathered together. The church practices just that. They share communion each week as a meal where the Word is taught and discussed separate from a worship service.
Dunn observes that Passover Supper was a yearly feast. Since, it was at such a supper that Jesus enacted this time of remembrance. The disciples may have celebrated on a yearly basis. Whatever the frequency, the spiritual reality of connecting with Jesus and each other is at stake.
I would like to propose three reasons for the communion commemoration. One, to remember and celebrate the mercy and grace afforded to mankind by Christ’s death and resurrection. Two, Jesus’ instructions become the means to bring His earthly body together under the banner of fellowship and unity; spending time with each other so as to encourage and edify one another. In American church culture communion is consumed as part of the service ritual and not as initiating and consummating biblical community. A re-thinking of the communion custom seems in order. Thirdly, eternity will be spent with these same friends. So, let the enjoyment of each other’s company begin now!
Breaking bread — not an isolated, insular worship moment, but a commemoration of God’s grace through Jesus Christ to His creation; a time of remembrance and anticipation. Breaking bread — a celebration of all that is the Body of Christ incarnate in those who call Him Lord and Savior and call each other family. Breaking bread — a time for forgiveness, healing and re-harmonizing with those who, for whatever reason, have ceased to be in tune each other. Breaking bread — a time to laugh and enjoy the pleasure of the Christian community. Breaking bread — more than a piece of bread and a cup of juice; bur a meal to celebrate family and friends that is shared together in the Name of Jesus.
Jesus built in conflict resolution in the act of sharing a common meal. How can family sit down at table and continue to harbor ill feelings toward those sitting across the table. Other friends sitting close will observe the break in relationship and by the Holy Spirit’s intervention help mend the broken relationship (1Cor. 11).