Breaking of Bread 

This is a special time of worship to remember the death and resurrection and soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The service is primarily for Christian believers but others are more than welcome.

Purpose

We meet specifically to remember and give thanks for the person and work of Jesus Christ. On the last evening before Hs death he commanded his followers to do this (Luke 22v19) until the time He returned to earth (1 Corinthians 11v24). The command was to remember Him and the meeting therefore centres around Christ, his incarnation, glorious life, death for us, resurrection, ascension and imminent return to earth.

Having a weekly meeting devoted specifically to this keeps fresh in our minds the wonder of His salvation and love and encourages us to give Christ the proper place in our lives. The Bible calls this meeting ‘breaking of bread’ (Acts 2v42) or ‘Lord’s supper’ (1 Corinthians 11v20), although it is sometimes called the ‘morning meeting’ of ‘communion’.

On other occasions we meet for evangelism and more in-depth Bible teaching, and information about these can be found on other pages.

Symbols

In that dark night when Christ asked his disciples to remember Him, He used two very simple and commonly available visual aids, bread and wine. The bread pictured his body, and when broken open, symbolised the ‘giving’ of his body and death on the cross. The wine was to represent his blood, which was shed on the cross, and sealed the basis of a new relationship with Him. It is his death and shedding of blood that brings forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9v22). There were no ornate ceremonies or special formulae of words. We believe that a single loaf and cup passed to each other, captures as closely as possible the events and atmosphere of that final night.

Participants

Quite clearly it was only the disciples, the baptised followers of Christ, who were present and took part. Even Judas had slipped away. The early church continued this principle and by Acts 2 the Bible records that a clear pattern was established. First someone had to personally trust in Christ for salvation and then they were baptised (by immersion as adults – John 3v23, Acts 2v41, Acts 8v36-37) before they took part in the Breaking of Bread. One aspect of the Breaking of Bread is that it emphasises the unity of the body of Christ and the oneness of Christians. To remember Christ in this way is an immense privilege but it does bring a certain responsibility to examine our lives for sin. (1 Corinthians 11v27). In the first century flagrantly sinful Christians who unworthily participated in the Lord’s Supper were severely judged by the Lord (v30). As a matter of course the church leaders therefore like to establish a participant’s faith, level of understanding and familiarity with the meeting.

Form of Service

Other than the gospel accounts, the Bible does not prescribe the form of the Breaking of Bread meeting in detail. It does teach the every Christian is a priest who can present worship (1 Peter 2v5). We also know from the church services at Corinth there was spontaneous participation by the whole congregation. Some prayed, some preached and they sang and worshipped together (1 Corinthians 14v26-31). Periods of quietness give opportunities for personal reflection and thanksgiving. While everything was to be done ‘decently and in order’ (v40) the pattern varied. We endeavour to keep alive that spirit and as Christians are prepared and exercised to lead the meeting. As we specifically come to remember Christ there are no lengthy sermons or evangelistic messages – these are at other times. It is common for there to be some Bible teaching and exhortation after the symbols have been passed around. It is also a convenient time for the taking a collection but no one is obliged to contribute unless they want to.

The announcements of the week follow and usually by 10.30 to 10.40 the meeting is closed with prayer. A time for tea/coffee and a chat follows and visitors are welcome to stay and share with us.

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