Fellowship and Breaking of Bread

Read: Acts 2:42-47

“and they continually devoted themselves to… fellowship and the breaking of bread…” (v.42)

Fellowship and breaking of bread. Who would have thought that hanging out and eating would be such a large part of the life of believers? As we continue to read Acts we will see this fleshed out. Eating food together and spending time with one another is actually a crucial part of our spiritual journey. The truth is that spiritual formation and growth doesn’t really flourish without this component… we are designed to be in community. Being “anti-social” is not a Christian attribute.

This sort of fellowship does not come easy. Before 2020, it may have been our “busyness” or self absorption that kept us apart… but now we have to navigate quarantines and a pandemic! There will always be forces working against the sincere and meaningful gathering of believers. This is why it is crucial that we continue to find appropriate ways to gather together. Gathering together is squarely a part of the people of God. To take this away is to handicap spiritual growth. Let's take a moment to think of what this would mean for the early church.

First off, think of the subtle differences between “fellowship” and “breaking bread”. These gatherings of “breaking bread” were probably not “large” gatherings, in fact - they were more often than not at people’s homes. These were smaller units of people eating with one another. Yet, we see examples here already of 120 people gathered together as well, and with 3000 some odd hearing and being saved! (cf. v. 1:15, 2:41) What we see is the need for both large and small gatherings. Each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. My hunch is that we probably need to “shrink” down our ideas of where the majority of spiritual growth and formation takes place. We need a greater devotion to “fellowship” and the “breaking of bread”.

There is another important factor we see here: as we already mentioned study of the scriptures does not happen in a vacuum and neither should life. Why is the breaking of bread so important? Well, food is a basic need… and God’s people should be looking out for each other providing for basic needs. In addition, there is an intimacy that comes with eating together. This is how you truly get to know someone. Over time. Meal by meal. You will never know someone in the midst of a 300 person gathering the way you will at their kitchen table!

It is a worthwhile spiritual discipline to seek out fellowship and breaking bread with brothers and sisters in Christ. This is as much a part of “C/church” as all the other trappings. One final note, this “fellowship” is being spoken of is concerning believers. You cannot have the sort of fellowship described here in Acts 2 outside of the body of Christ. This IS NOT to say that you can’t have great non-Christian friends… but those friends will never replace the need for the fellowship God has built into the C/church. There is a priority placed on the “fellowship of believers”… the “brotherhood”… the “sisterhood”. (cf. 1 Peter 2:17) Those times of laughter in your living room, lunches together, bbq’s, and the like are a rich part of the people of God. We must be seeking these out with intention and regularity. This is part of the reason I see the idea of a “house church” as so appealing- it enables us to put into actions these key marks of the people of God! Reach out to a brother or sister in Christ today. Ask someone to hang out. Don’t mope around… if you feel lonely tell someone! It is ok to admit it. On the flip-side, know that there are those suffering all around us… lonely. Ask God to tell you the name of someone to reach out to who is too afraid to make the first step. Friendship and relationship is actually one of the most beautiful gifts extended within the C/church. Love you guys. - JDP