The Breaking of Bread

The breaking of bread is important in the gathering of the early christian in their fellowship with Christ.

At first glance, the breaking of bread would mean sharing of meals together, each one receiving foods from one another. 

It's like the boodle fight which is a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are on top of the banana leaves. 

Viands and rice ready to eat using your bare hands, jugs of water are prepared on the side to wash hands before the "eating combat". With the signal to start the boodle fight, everyone aims for his/her position.

But what is the basis of today's breaking of bread done religiously during a fellowship within the church?

1 Cor 11:23 For I have received from the Lord, that which also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread:

1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Cor 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

1 Cor 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he shall come.

1 Cor 11:27  Wherefore, whoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Cor 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1 Cor 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Come to think of it, if the breaking of bread is eating of meals until midnight then they are wasting their time staying together.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued his speech until midnight. 

To know more of Christ teachings that comes from the father himself is to break his gospel piece by piece and we can not do this if we just eat meals and literally drink his blood.

Lk 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known to them in breaking of bread.

What comes in the mouth goes in the toilet and what goes in the heart by hearing the word of God makes him a better person and a chance to become a children of God.

Mt 15:17 Do ye not yet understand, that whatever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Mk 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all kinds of food. 

Mk 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 

Mk 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mk 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness;

Mk 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

The bread are the teachings and the cup of blood are the sufferings that goes with it in following Christ. Logically, we can not be justified by eating bread inside the church coming from supermarket and bakery for we have houses to eat and to drink.

The Vine and the Branches

Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making wine, jam, juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, and grape seed oil. Grapes are a non-climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters. 

The health benefits of grapes include its ability to treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and prevention of cataract.

Why this fruit bearing trees was used as an example of Christ to explain our relationship with him? The vine and the branches are inseparable for without the vine the branches will not bring much fruit. Christ is the vine and we are the branches thus we can do nothing without him.

Jn 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The one leading the Apostles is Christ. The disciples duty is to follow him wherever he will go while preaching the gospel.

Lk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The obvious thruth is that, they can do nothing without him so it is but correct to say that John the Baptist and his disciples can not be credited of performing the baptism alone without Jesus.

Jn 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

Jn 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Even in the manner of preaching, the disciples were assured by Christ to be given a mouth and wisdom that can not be rejected by the listener.

 Lk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. 

 Lk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

The assurance of his presence in the preaching and in the baptism extend up to the end of the world.

Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

If Christ is with us always even up to the end of the world, he is therefore the one talking when the minister is preaching. If one can do nothing without Christ, no flesh can glory in his presence. Indeed Christ is the leader and head of the Church of God and we are the unprofitable followers and servants.