Act 2:46 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.

The first century Christians did not have today’s so called “church buildings.”  They didn’t erect any church buildings. Members opened up their homes and they met in homes. We have examples of the church that met in the house of Aquila and Priscilla (Rom 16:3-5; 1 Cor 16:19), house of  Nymphas (Col 4:15), and also in the house of Philemon (Philemom 1:2).

Does God need a house? He who made the heavens and the earth, does He dwell in temples made with hands? (Acts 17:24). The church is not a building. The “church” comes from the Greek word “ekklēsia” and means “a calling out”. It refers to a group of people who have been called out of darkness into the marvellous light of the gospel (1 Pet 2:9).

We all want healthy small groups. The early churches did just that. They “break bread from house to house” (Acts 2:46). Breaking of bread is used in two different senses. First, there is the breaking of bread used in connection with the Lord’s Supper, a memorial to remember Jesus’ death and to declare His coming again (Matt. 26: 26-29, I Cor. 11: 23-34). This “breaking bread” of the Lord’s Supper was a regular and constant act of public worship performed on the "first day of the week" in which the early church engaged (Acts 2: 42). The Christians met on every first day of the week "…to break bread", referring to the partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20: 7).

The second sense of "breaking bread" also refers to the common meals which they took daily (Matthew 6:11; Luke 24:30).

I know that some contend that the “breaking bread from house to house” mentioned in Acts 2:46 can mean only the common meals. Their argument is that the bread and the meat must refer to the same thing. I beg to differ. First, the Greek form does not differentiate the bread in verse 46 and verse 42. If it is Lord’s Supper in Acts 2:42, it is Lord’s Supper in Acts 2:46.

Second, they forget that the first century churches did not immediately meet in large church buildings after Pentecost; but members opened their homes and there the Christians met and worshipped.

Third, the “bread” and “meat” refer to two different activities. One is worship and the other fellowship. They worshipped and they ate their meals together. The church at Corinth certainly did that and abused it when they did both together (1 Corinthians 11:20-22).

The early churches “continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). They were engaged in teaching and learning (apostles’ doctrine), fellowship and worship (breaking bread and prayers).

We love small group fellowship. We have a programme called “home zone meeting.” It is an activity in which members who live in the same area assemble together for fellowship and devotion. It does not replace Sunday worship but is an activity carried out on weekends or weekdays. We encourage every Christian to participate in home zone meetings. It is a time for fellowship and studying the word of God. It is not just a group of people getting together for fun. While fun is important, small group Bible study offers a safe place to grow, ask questions, learn, encourage, grow, and fellowship. More importantly, studying our Bible in a small group setting also helps us to apply what we learn as we encourage one another in handling life issues. When we are involved in a small group of other believers with varying backgrounds, we can come alongside one another to teach, encourage, edify, and help one another.

Solomon wrote: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).

A knife is sharpened by another iron. So, a man is sharpened by the presence of his fellowmen through conversation and deeds. When we invest our time, resources, energy with our fellow Christians, we will be encouraged by each others’ words and works. We can also use it as an evangelism tool to invite our friends for this meeting.

In home zone or small group meetings, we can reach out to others who are struggling against the attractions of the world. In return, we revive ourselves from the lukewarmness of sitting in the pews. When we love God, we will love to be with the people whom God loves. We will be exhorted and encouraged in the faith through mutual encouragement: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.