Article

The Assembly 7 - The Breaking of Bread

Published since 30. Dec. 2024

Bible passages:

Luke 22:19,20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 1 Corinthians 11:20-30

Categories:

"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." (Lk 22:19,20)

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" (1 Cor 10:14-22)

"Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep." (1 Cor 11:20-30)

Here is a brief comparison of the "Lord's Table" and the "Lord's Supper":

Table of the LordA figurative description of communion with the Lord (1 Cor 10:21), which we express when we eat his supper. By eating the bread and drinking from the cup, we express... More (1 Cor 10)	The Lord's SupperOn the night when the Lord Jesus was going to be delivered into the hands of His enemies, He instituted the Lord’s Supper so that the believers may always think... More (1 Cor 11)
Principles ("table rules")	Manner
Cooperative privileges, blessings, and responsibility with regard to external relationships	Personal privileges, blessings, and responsibility in relation to the inner attitude
Fellowship with our Lord and with one another	Personal blessings in the foreground
Who do we break bread with? - Shared responsibility	How do I eat the bread? - Personal responsibility
Cooperatively, we have the desire to express that we are "one."	Personally, everyone desires to think of the Lord Jesus and the Lord's death.

The signs

Bread: speaks of the Lord's body given into death (Lk 22:19) and of the one body created as a result of his death (1 Cor 10:17).
Cup: speaks of the Lord's atoning blood that flowed, i.e., of his life given in death (Lk 22:20).

Why do we break the bread?

It is his request, his invitation (Lk 22:19).
to have fellowship with the Lord (1 Cor 10:16)
to have fellowship with one another (1 Cor 10:17)
as one body (Eph 4:3, 4; 2:22; 1 Cor 12:13).
The local assembly is the representation of the whole assembly on the whole earth. What one assembly decides applies to all the others (1 Cor 12:27). We express this unity precisely in the breaking of bread. Therefore, we cannot simply "commute" between different Christian groups that...
- are not in full communion with one another,
- or do not realize the decisions of the other local assemblies
- or come together on the basis that the Bible shows us.
- For God, outward participation means inward fellowship (1 Cor. 10:18).
We proclaim his death before God, the angels, the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, and the whole universe (1 Cor 11:26).
We do it in remembrance of him (1 Cor 11:24, 25).

Where do we break bread?

It is in connection with the local assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More (1 Cor 11:27, 17, 18, 20, 33).

What do we do when we break bread?

We offer thanks, praise, worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More, and adoration to God and the Lord Jesus (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:15; John 4:23).
We have Himself as our center (Lk 22:19).
We remember our great Savior and proclaim His death (1 Cor 11:26).
We eat of the bread and drink from the cup (1 Cor 10:16; 11:26).
We realize fellowship with the Lord and with one another.

When do we break bread?

Every first day of the week - a new beginning (Acts 20:7).

Who takes part in the breaking of bread?

Basically, it is a matter for the Lord because it is His table, His meal and He is the host and Lord (of the house).
In principle, every child of God has a place at the Lord's table.
Yet he has given the local assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More the responsibility to decide who - according to the criteria of the Bible - is received and who is not (Mt 18:17.18; 1 Cor 5:6-8) ->, e.g., Isa 26:1.2; 2 Chr 23:19.
What are these criteria?
- New life (1 Cor 10:17; Mt 7:20; 1 Jn 5:2; 2 Tim 2:19),
- Moral purity (1 Cor 5:1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11),
- doctrinal purity (Gal 5:1-9; 2 John 9-11),
- no unclean associations (1 Cor 10:16, 18; Rev 18:4; 2 Tim 2:19-21; Ps 93:5).

How (in what manner) do we break bread?

worthily => with inner exercises of the soul and not lightly (1 Cor 14:33, 40).
holy => let each one examine himself / daily self-judgment (Mt 5:23.24).

Until when do we break bread?

Until He comes! (1 Cor 11:26)

A place of worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More

WorshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More presupposes having the Lord Jesus or God alone before one's eyes.
The highest form of worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More is to tell God something about the Lord Jesus (Gen 45:13a).
Only children of God can worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More the Father.
The Father is looking for true worshippers.
We worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More in spirit and truth (John 4:23).