SATURDAY October 21, 2023

The Breaking of Bread

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
Acts 20:7

A group of Paul’s companions went ahead to Troas and waited for him there. Paul and Luke must have encountered rough seas and strong winds, as a prior trip from Troas to Philippi took them only two days, (Acts 16:11-12), compared to the five days it took to reach their destination: But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days (Acts 20:6).

On the first day of the week is a reference to the first establishment of Sunday worship in the early church––not on Saturday like the Seventh Day Adventists hold to––but Sunday. On this Sunday, they fellowshipped, broke bread together, and listened to Paul’s message until midnight.

The Jews still celebrated the Sabbath on Saturday. Even today, the Shabbat begins Friday at 6:00pm, until Saturday 6:00pm––sundown. Everything in Israel begins to close on Friday about 2:00pm in the afternoon. By Friday 6:00pm every husband and wife, with their children, stay in their homes to celebrate the Shabbat together.

Jews are not allowed to work on the Sabbath. They prepare by cooking their meals ahead of time. According to tradition, Jews will not use cash on the Sabbath because it is considered work, but they can use a credit card! They cannot cook, but they can use the microwave! On the Sabbath, families attend synagogues to hear the service. Jews are very family oriented. They recite stories from the Scriptures, enjoy meals, and worship together. Sunday to them becomes like our Monday.

...as we learn more about it [the seventh day] from Scripture we realize that the “rest” involved was not a lazy rest. Rather, it was intended to be a day when the working man could enjoy the Creator as well as the creation. He could devote himself more directly to fellowship with God and the worship of His Name. This “sabbath,” or “rest-day,” ... God gave to man so he would be refreshed and strengthened, encouraged and heartened by contemplating all that God had done....
~Sinclair Ferguson~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!