Facts About The Lord’s Supper

“The breaking of bread” became the name for this institution (Lord’s Supper), Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Cor. 10:16; 11:23 (W.E. Vine Dictionary of N.T. words, p. 146).

The same Greek word (artos-bread) is used for the Lord’s Supper as well as a common meal (Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the N.T. p. 76).

Therefore, the context of the passage must determine whether it is the Lord’s Supper or a common meal.  It is obvious from the following facts that Acts 20:7 is speaking of the Lord’s Supper.

1. Why did Paul abide in Troas for seven days (Acts 20:6)?  The answer is simple – Paul arrived on Monday and would not be able to meet with the whole church until worship on Sunday – the first day of the week.  He could worship with them and give them lengthy instruction before he departed the next day.  Ellicott had it right when he said, “It lies on the surface that the motive for this stay (7 days) was to keep the Lord’s Day and to partake with the church of what, even before the date of this journey, Paul had already spoken of as the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:20).  Ellicott’s commentary for English Readers – Acts 20:6.
2. “The first day of the week” (Sunday, Acts 20:7). Compare I Cor. 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”  The first century church assembled on Sunday – the first day of the week for worship.
3. The primary purpose of them coming together on the first day of the week for worship was to “break bread.” Obviously, this doesn’t mean to eat together but to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ in observing the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:18-30; See specifically vv. 18 and 20.
4. When we assemble today on the first day of the week it is “to break bread.” In doing this we follow the apostolic example and teaching of the Apostle Paul.
5. Jesus said we must worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), and certainly this applies to the most important act of worship – The Lord’s Supper.

Ken Tyler