They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. Acts 2:42 WEB

This statement comes from a narrative of the acts of the apostles following their receiving the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The followers of Chist were following his command to preach the gospel to all of creation. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter addressed a large crowd gathered in Jerusalem, teaching the miracles of Jesus and demonstrating from prophecy the status of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah.

Further, Peter gives witness to the risen Lord. Teaching the crowd of the many witnesses to the resurrected Christ, Peter calls those in attendance to forgiveness of their sins through repentance and faith in Jesus. He says in Acts 2:38-39, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself. WEB” Three thousand people joined the body of Christ that day!

This Is My Body

After their conversion, the faithful stayed in Jerusalem having fellowship with the apostles and continuing to learn from them. At that time, they began to take part in the breaking of bread. There is some debate as to whether the “the breaking of bread” that occurred in the second chapter of Acts was in adherence to a command given by Christ or the simple sharing of community meals with prayer.

What is clear is that Jesus taught the breaking of bread among his disciples as an act of remembrance. Scripture records this command given by the Lord at the Last Supper. Luke 22:19 reads, “He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.’ WEB” To this day, we break bread and give thanks for the sacrifice Jesus made for our sin. 

Yesterday’s Devotional: Go into All the World