“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 KJV
The disciples of Jesus were following the Lord’s instructions which He gave them during the last supper before He was crucified. They took it seriously, why? We’ll find out in the course of this teaching.
1Corinthians 11:23-26, “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: [24] 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. [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 oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”
Breaking of Bread (Holy Communion)
The key to understanding this scripture is the phrase broken for you. Bread could be available, but until it is broken for you, it does not benefit you, it does not feed you. Until it is specifically served to you, it does not terminate your hunger. It means until the Word of God is given to you as a personal revelation, it does not benefit you.
Effects Breaking Bread
The broken bread stands for the revealed Word, the rhema Word of God. A rhema is an inspired word birthed within your own spirit, a whisper from the Holy Spirit. It is God communicating His specific will to an individual.
1. Breaking of bread provokes revelation of the risen Lord. The risen Lord revealed Himself to The Two Disciples on the way to Emmaus but they did not recognize Him until He broke bread and gave them. Luke 24:30-31, “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. [31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”
The risen Lord stands for the victorious church, the triumphant church. Our victory comes from His resurrection. Our restoration comes from His resurrection. Our healing is sealed by the resurrection. Our prosperity is guaranteed by the resurrection. So, the breaking of bread is to make the memory of His death and resurrection fresh in us and for us to remember His triumph and hence our triumph over death! It helps us to know the Lord better.
2. Provokes Praise. It was the joy of resurrection that provoked the praise we witnessed in the early church. “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:46-47 KJV. They were so overjoyed by the victory of life over death exemplified by the resurrection that they praised God every chance they got. Genuine praise is motivated by personal revelation not by ritualistic considerations.
3. Reminds us of Christ’s victory. Breaking of bread is a powerful reminder and assurance of Christ’s victory and hence our victory over death, demonic oppression, sickness and disease and as well as poverty. You are reminded that you are righteous, lifted, healthy, wealthy, and fruitful. Once you catch this revelation, you can always bring the devil to his knees and terminate any demonic affliction by taking the Holy Communion.
4. Gives us hope of life after death. Engenders assurance of resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is the source of hope and the assurance of resurrection for Christ’s followers. 1Corinthians 15:16-19, “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
5. Cleanses us spiritually. The cup reminds us of the atonement for our sin. Participation in the Communion cup leads to a dimension of spiritual cleansing that is not available anywhere else. It provokes pardon and voids our transgressions. It destroys the platform on which the devil stands to accuse and condemn us. Through the Blood we receive the life of God, we receive eternal life. Through the Blood of Jesus, we receive the nature of God. When we plead the Blood of Jesus over us, God doesn’t see the filthy and guilty you anymore, He sees perfect and righteous Jesus, He sees His beloved Son!
6. Releases the life and power of God to us for our benefit. The Holy Communion reminds us that we have been given eternal life, the very life of God. It does more than remind us, it releases the life of God into any area or areas of our life where it is needed. The life of God is the Spirit of God, also known as the quickening Spirit.
7. Provokes us to testify. It provokes faith and strong passion for spreading the gospel and for serving the Lord. It is our remembrance that provokes such a powerful faith and generates an unquenchable fire for serving the Lord and for spreading the gospel. The two disciples immediately left and went back to Jerusalem to go and testify to the disciples of Jesus. Those who receive revelation of the risen Lord are provoked to testify of His resurrection. Apostle Paul said woe is me if I preach not the gospel of Jesus. He had a personal encounter with the risen Lord. The early apostles risked their lives to preach the message of the risen Lord. What motivated them to testify was not the fact that Jesus died but the fact that He resurrected. It was the resurrection that made it impossible for them to be silenced.
8. Attracts demonic opposition. The greatest threat to the devil is the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is terrified by it because it destroys his power and sets men free. He does everything possible to prevent that message from getting to people. He lies about it to people. He tries desperately to silence anyone or group preaching it. “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.” Acts 23:6
He covers the eye of people’s mind so that they don’t receive or believe this message. 2Corinthians 4:3-4, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
The light of the glorious gospel is the message of the resurrection of Christ. Our message is to witness to the death and resurrection of Christ leading to man’s redemption.
We must be desperate and urgent in getting this message out. We must be ready to invest and be invested in getting this message out to those who need it.
Because of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are righteous, lifted, healthy, wealthy and fruitful. May God give you that revelation required to solve your problem and put an end to your suffering! You will prosper and flourish, in Jesus Name!!
Bishop Dr Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
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