Breaking of Bread

14 July 2014

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

Modern churches overflow with man-made symbols of Christ and Christianity. Paintings, sculptures, expensive works of art, and cheap slogan stickers are easily recognized as representations of the redemptive work of Jesus and the Christian's desire to be identified with Him.

But, as time marches forward and Christianity is adapted to fit the current fads and styles, the one, Biblically authorized symbol of the work of Christ can be scarcely found in houses of worship.

The early church stedfastly used this symbol to remember Christ and His work but it's use has ceased or it's importance so minimalized that Christians give it little thought or devotion.

So, what is this symbol? It is The Lord’s Supper or Communion.

Jesus Himself gave us the symbols to be used to remember Him!

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28)

No work of art on canvas, in clay, or any other medium can accurately portray the suffering or the glory of Jesus Christ. But this one symbol of breaking unleavened bread and drinking wine together as a church shows it all in simple perfection!

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 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 oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Seeing that we should continue to use this symbol until Christ returns, the churches of the 21st century would do well to lay aside all man-made symbols and images and devote themselves more closely to the one symbol given to us by the Savior!

Bryce Lowrance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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