What does "breaking of bread" mean? Definition and General Usage The phrase “breaking of bread” appears in various parts of Scripture and has multiple layers of meaning, ranging from sharing a common meal to partaking in a sacred observance. In the culture of the Bible, bread was a staple food, and its “breaking” naturally signified hospitality, fellowship, and communal life. Yet in the New Testament, this phrase takes on deeper implications tied to Jesus Christ, His sacrificial atonement, and the unity of believers. Although it can simply mean eating together, “breaking of bread” often involves a spiritual dimension where followers of Christ remember His death and resurrection—especially when the text highlights practices of the early church community, such as in Acts. Understanding both the everyday and sacred contexts of this act helps illuminate how the early believers, and Christians throughout history, have recognized its profound significance. Old Testament Background While the exact phrase “breaking of bread” does not frequently occur in the Old Testament, there are foreshadowing elements and cultural parallels that lay a foundation for its later meaning: 1. Hospitality Traditions – Ancient Near Eastern hospitality frequently featured bread as a central component of hosting guests (Genesis 18:6; 19:3). This sharing of bread communicated welcome, goodwill, and covenantal ties, all of which provided the cultural backdrop for later practices in the New Testament era. 2. Sacrificial Symbology – Although sacrifices under the Mosaic Covenant primarily involved animals, grain offerings and unleavened bread (Leviticus 2:1–10; Exodus 12:8) featured prominently in Israel’s worship. Through these offerings, the Israelites acknowledged Yahweh’s provision. This concept of bread linked to remembrance and acknowledgment of God’s salvation culminates in the New Testament understanding of the Lord’s Supper. New Testament Occurrences “Breaking of bread” appears in several passages, each exhibiting important facets of its broader theological significance: 1. Jesus’ Miraculous Feedings – In Matthew 14:19 at the feeding of the five thousand, “Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples.” Similar language of “breaking bread” and distributing it underscores Christ’s provision and hints at the deeper spiritual nourishment He offers. 2. Institution of the Lord’s Supper – At the Passover meal immediately preceding His crucifixion, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it to illustrate His body offered for humanity (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20). Luke 22:19 says: “And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” This specific “breaking of bread” became central to the sacrament of Communion or the Lord’s Supper, signifying Christ’s sacrifice and calling believers to remember and proclaim His death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:23–26). 3. Early Christian Practice – After Jesus’ resurrection, the phrase appears repeatedly to describe the communal gatherings of the first believers. Acts 2:42 offers a key verse: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This verse shows that “breaking of bread” was central to the life of the infant church, often including both fellowship meals and the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper in one continuous practice of remembering Christ. Fellowship Meals vs. The Lord’s Supper In the New Testament era, believers met in homes, shared in meals, and commemorated Christ’s death and resurrection. It can be challenging to discern in certain passages whether “breaking of bread” refers to a simple communal meal or specifically the Lord’s Supper. Often, however, these two concepts were intertwined: • Common Meals – Early believers genuinely cared for one another, exemplified by sharing resources (Acts 2:44–45). Such communal gatherings naturally involved eating together. Breaking bread in such a setting cultivated unity and deepened personal relationships among those who had come to faith in Christ. • Sacramental Significance – The Lord’s Supper was observed within or alongside a communal meal for many. Hence, the act of “breaking bread” carried layers of everyday fellowship and profound reverence, pointing to the central truth of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. Early Christian writings, such as those found in the Didache and in the works of early Church Fathers like Justin Martyr, reinforce that believers held a regular observance of “the breaking of bread” as a memorial to Christ’s passion, further confirming the continuity with New Testament descriptions. Symbolism and Theological Significance 1. Remembrance of Christ – Through the words “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19), Jesus emphasized recalling His sacrifice. The “breaking” of bread manifests the brokenness of His body for the sins of the world and underscores the Christian belief that His death fully atoned for sin. 2. Unity of Believers – 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 reads: “Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.” In this way, the “breaking of bread” is a vivid portrait of the unity believers share with each other through Jesus. 3. Proclamation of the Gospel – When Paul teaches the Corinthian believers about the Lord’s Supper, he says, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The repeated act testifies to Christ’s triumph over death, which is foundational for Christian salvation. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration • Early House Churches and Archaeological Sites – Archaeological discoveries in places like the remains of ancient church homes have unearthed rooms thought to be designated for Christian gatherings. The presence of communal dining areas in these earliest meeting places supports the New Testament picture of corporate meals and the Lord’s Supper. • Patristic Writings – The writings of the earliest Church Fathers, along with documents such as the Didache (believed to date from the late first or early second century), describe the ongoing practice of commemorating the death and resurrection of Christ through bread and wine. These historical texts affirm that the “breaking of bread” in the New Testament context was not a transient practice but a well-established part of worship passed on for generations. These pieces of evidence, in concert with the internal consistency of the biblical manuscripts, reinforce the spiritual and historical credibility of the church’s long-standing practice of the breaking of bread. Practical Implications for Believers 1. Communal Bonding – Sharing food fosters relationship-building. The custom of breaking bread carries on today as families and faith communities share meals and fellowship, mirroring the example of the early church. 2. Reflection on Christ’s Sacrifice – Partaking of the bread and cup in a communion service encourages remembrance of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. It is a deliberate time to reflect on what He accomplished for individuals and the larger body of believers. 3. Commitment to Unity – By celebrating the Lord’s Supper together, believers renew their commitment to love one another. The practice reminds all participants of the level ground at the foot of the cross—no believer is more worthy than another because everyone shares in the same grace. 4. Continued Witness – As Paul taught, the simple physical act of “breaking bread” declares the message of the gospel and demonstrates to the watching world a tangible expression of Christ’s love and faithfulness. Conclusion “Breaking of bread” weaves through Scripture from the hospitality scenes of the Old Testament to the profound theological contexts of the New Testament, where it culminates in the Lord’s Supper. Far more than a customary phrase about eating, it symbolizes Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, fosters unity among believers, and serves as a continuing proclamation of the gospel. Whether through an everyday meal or the consecrated celebration of the Lord’s Supper, this practice reminds Christians of the intimate fellowship shared with God and with each other, grounded in the historical reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection. |
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