TEACHING NOTES Introduction As we continue our study on the four areas of devotion in the early church, today we’re going to focus on the third area of breaking bread. While many assume that “the breaking of bread” is simply eating meals together, there is so much more to what Luke is describing. ‌ Acts 2:42 ESV 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ‌ Devoted = Grk. proskarterountes - to stick close with, be faithful, hold fast to, continue in, persevere. This word is also used in Acts 2:46; 6:4; Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2. In Acts, the early church is described as a family of devoted disciples. This means that they remained close with one another and gathered regularly to learn the Word of God and take care of each other. ‌ The teaching = Grk. te didache - teaching, instruction. This was not just any kind of teaching but “the apostle’s teaching.” At that time in Jerusalem there would have been many Jewish rabbis and teachers. However, the church was devoted to the teaching of the apostles because they had been taught directly by Jesus. ‌ The Fellowship = Grk. τῇ κοινωνίᾳ (te koinonia) - sharing, relational partnership and participation. Luke is clear that the early church operated not as an organization, but as a close family. They shared resources, responsibility, and accountability because that’s what a healthy family must do. ‌ The breaking of bread = Grk. te klasei tou artou - While these words literally mean “the breaking of bread,” Luke is using this phrase to refer to something deeper. Just as Luke used the common term koinonia but meant something more unique, he is doing the same with “the breaking of bread.” Obviously, sharing meals together is implied in this phrase. The early church shared food with fellow believers who were in need and they gathered to eat together. But the fact that Luke calls it “the breaking of bread” indicates that something else is included, and that is the Lord’s Supper or Communion. ‌ Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” ‌ Justin Martyr (AD 90—165) Justin (surnamed Martyr because he was beheaded for his faith) grew up as an educated Greek philosopher. After years of searching for truth, Justin was disappointed with Greek religion/philosophy and longed to find what was really true. Then he met an old man in Syria who shared the story of the Bible and its fulfilment in Christ. Justin then became a follower of Christ and went on to become a leader in the church. Eventually, Justin moved to Rome and founded a school to teach and make disciples of Jesus. Before being beheaded by Roman authorities, Justin wrote several books describing and defending Christianity. Justin’s First Apology (Defense) was addressed to Emperor Pius. In chapter 67 of this book, Justin gives us a description of the Sunday church gathering. ‌ 1 Apology (ch. 67) “And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.” — Justin Martyr, 1st Apology, 67 ‌ Why was the church so devoted to Communion? ‌ Communion/The Lord’s Supper ‌- Reminder ‌- Participation ‌- Union ‌ Luke 24:13–16 ESV 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ‌ Luke 24:17–18 ESV 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ‌ Luke 24:19–20 ESV 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ‌ Luke 24:21–23 ESV 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ‌ Luke 24:24–25 ESV 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ‌ Luke 24:26–27 ESV 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ‌ Luke 24:28–29 ESV 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ‌ Luke 24:30–32 ESV 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ‌ Luke 24:33–35 ESV 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. ‌ Communion/The Lord’s Supper ‌- Reminder ‌- Participation ‌- Union ‌