- Breaking of Bread is what we call Holy Communion (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
The Apostles took the breaking of bread as a command from our Lord Jesus Christ and continued in the ordinance.
What is Holy Communion?
It is an act of worship, shown in the coming together of those who are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ in sharing a meal that is known as the Lord’s Supper – breaking of bread (bread which represents Christ’s body and wine which represents His blood).
Why do we take Holy Communion?
It is a mandate by the Lord (Luke 22:19)
It helps us to remember Jesus – “do this in remembrance of me” – 1 Cor. 11:24-25, i.e., to remember His death till He comes back (11:26). To remember His body was broken for us; to remember his blood was shed for us. To remember that it is not a sacrifice made by an animal but by Christ Jesus.
This ordinance helps us to remember the new covenant which Jesus made with us, that is, a covenant wherein the killing of animals to shed their blood each time we want to confess our sin is eradicated. The blood of Jesus did the work of remission once and for all, no other blood needs to be shed again because of our sins (Mat. 26:28). The bible says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isa. 53:5
It is an act of thanksgiving to the Lord for allowing us to share of His blood and body – 1 Cor. 10:16
It is a way of identifying or fellowshipping with Christ. By partaking, we have part of His life (John 6:53-58). When we have his life is when we are able to do His will.
How frequently?
Jesus said as often as we want (1 Cor. 11:25)
The early Christians did it daily or anytime they fellowshipped – Acts 2:46
1st day of the week (Sunday) – Acts 20:7
Where? In church and from house to house – Acts 2:46
So it is okay to serve this among people in their homes, hospital, prison, everywhere – to all who proclaim Jesus Christ as their lord and Savior.
With what attitude?
With self- examination – 1 Cor. 11:27-34. This means, you must truly be saved.
What if I don’t feel like partaking?
Jesus says such a person has no life in them: “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. …” – John 6:53-58. It is a spiritual thing. When the Lord commands it, we do it to His glory.
Removing self from partaking means the denial of the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for all – Heb. 9:26
In conclusion, every Christian needs to appreciate the work of Christ on the cross and always join fellow believers in sharing the Holy Communion with gladness and simplicity of heart (Acts 2:47).
This is one of the bedrocks of the actions of the Apostles. This is one of the things that make us Apostolic.