"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. 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, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:42-47)
The breaking of bread and the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths. Both of these are connected.
First, God has glorified His son Jesus!. He has declared and confirmed with signs and wonders that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and the Christ. (Acts 2:36) Indeed, the Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies your footstool!" (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:13) Why? "As He saith also in another place, "Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5:6. 10; Hebrews 7:1-28; Isaiah 45:23)
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens ..." (Hebrews 8:1)
It is for this reason that the scriptures state, "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord." (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10)
No other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
On to the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths, we see from the new testament scriptures that the church fathers are at the same old game of rearranging and revising the scriptures to suit their own religious outcome. Quite simply, the revisionist game is habitual to them. They just present their viewpoints with a different slant from the intent of the written Word. Who would expect anything else? When one has a good thing going, they are not likely to rock the boat.
Still, the church fathers wrongly present the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths as the first day of the week, meaning the first day of the week - period - inferring Sunday. In I Corinthians chapter 16: 2, we read that upon the first (day) of the week, every one of you shall lay by him in storage, as God has prospered him. Offer your offerings before I arrive among you, saith the scriptures, in order that there will be no collections when He comes. And whosoever you shall approve, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
The collection or gatherings was for distribution among the poor saints that were being persecuted in Jerusalem. You will notice that Pentecost is mentioned in verse 8. Pentecost occurred 50 days after the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths. The recognition that Pentecost is mentioned binds the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths as the day spoken of, and is therefore the key to rectifying wrongful presentations. It is not an opportunity to fleece the flock every Sunday.
Now we read in Acts 20:7 that upon the first (day) of the week, the disciples came together to break bread. Again, it comes up short on the translation. It should read on the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths. Note verse 16 - Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. This again is a key point in understanding what the scriptures are stating.
Another step in the wrong direction by the church fathers is that they associate breaking of bread with communion. However, as we read in Acts 20, the people gathered together to break bread, not to have communion. In other words, the breaking of bread is associated with life. Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. Conversely, communion is associated with death. This is the difference.
Further, Paul had broken bread and eaten. In Acts 2:46, the believers continued daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God. They were not having communion. Indeed, they were celebrating in their daily lives, the indwelling sweet presence of the Spirit of Jesus.
More to come on this subject, because there is so much more in the scriptures to understand.
Nevertheless, once more to tell it I would embrace -- I was only a sinner saved by the grace of God, appearing in the face of our Lord God and only Saviour Jesus. The Gift of God to those that believe is eternal life.
Stand in the offering plate.
It is for this reason that the scriptures state, "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord." (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10)
No other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
On to the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths, we see from the new testament scriptures that the church fathers are at the same old game of rearranging and revising the scriptures to suit their own religious outcome. Quite simply, the revisionist game is habitual to them. They just present their viewpoints with a different slant from the intent of the written Word. Who would expect anything else? When one has a good thing going, they are not likely to rock the boat.
Still, the church fathers wrongly present the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths as the first day of the week, meaning the first day of the week - period - inferring Sunday. In I Corinthians chapter 16: 2, we read that upon the first (day) of the week, every one of you shall lay by him in storage, as God has prospered him. Offer your offerings before I arrive among you, saith the scriptures, in order that there will be no collections when He comes. And whosoever you shall approve, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
The collection or gatherings was for distribution among the poor saints that were being persecuted in Jerusalem. You will notice that Pentecost is mentioned in verse 8. Pentecost occurred 50 days after the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths. The recognition that Pentecost is mentioned binds the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths as the day spoken of, and is therefore the key to rectifying wrongful presentations. It is not an opportunity to fleece the flock every Sunday.
Now we read in Acts 20:7 that upon the first (day) of the week, the disciples came together to break bread. Again, it comes up short on the translation. It should read on the first (day) of the week of Sabbaths. Note verse 16 - Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. This again is a key point in understanding what the scriptures are stating.
Another step in the wrong direction by the church fathers is that they associate breaking of bread with communion. However, as we read in Acts 20, the people gathered together to break bread, not to have communion. In other words, the breaking of bread is associated with life. Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. Conversely, communion is associated with death. This is the difference.
Further, Paul had broken bread and eaten. In Acts 2:46, the believers continued daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God. They were not having communion. Indeed, they were celebrating in their daily lives, the indwelling sweet presence of the Spirit of Jesus.
More to come on this subject, because there is so much more in the scriptures to understand.
Nevertheless, once more to tell it I would embrace -- I was only a sinner saved by the grace of God, appearing in the face of our Lord God and only Saviour Jesus. The Gift of God to those that believe is eternal life.
Stand in the offering plate.
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