They Ate Their Food with Gladness and Simplicity of Heart,

The Bible teaches that 'eating together' is not just a mere act but a significant element in the fellowship and mission of the church. This practice, symbolizing mutual acceptance, transcends time and culture, being a universal element of intimacy. The Gospels vividly depict Jesus eating together with his disciples and sinners, underscoring His understanding of the importance of 'having a meal with others'. The book of Acts, chronicling the fellowship and missionary activities of the early church, further exemplifies the role of meals in their gatherings. Today, let us delve into the fellowship and mission of the church, exploring the theme of 'eating together' and its profound spiritual significance.

1. Jesus Valued "Eating Togther" (Acts 10:40-41)

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and ate with them. Acts 10:40-41 emphasizes that Jesus chose not everyone, but those who ate and drank with Him, to represent Him. The scene of the disciples sharing a meal with the resurrected Jesus on the shores of Lake Galilee, roasting the fish they had just caught, was deeply etched in their memories. This breakfast emphasizes the intimate communion with the Lord and the reality of His resurrection.

◆ Acts 10:40-41.
10:40 "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
10:41 "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

◆John 21:10-14
21:10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
21:11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"-knowing that it was the Lord.
21:13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
21:14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

1. Eating Together Was an Important Element of Fellowship in the Early Church (Acts 2:42-47)

In Acts 2:42-47, the life of the early church is vividly described. The disciples were devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. The breaking of bread refers not only to the Lord's Supper, but also to the ordinary meals shared among believers. These meals were times of sharing joy with a simple heart, strengthening their unity and sense of belonging.

"Eating together" is not a special program but an integral part of our daily lives. The risen Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, was present in the disciples' meal circle, revealing Himself in their conversation, laughter, and prayers. I believe that the people around them were drawn to this supernatural joy in the fellowship.

◆Acts 2:42-47
2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2:43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
2:45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

1. Eating Together also Played an Important Role in Missionary Work (Acts 11:1-3)

In Acts 10, Peter has a vision that changes the direction of the church's mission. While hungry and waiting for a meal, he had a vision of a large spread filled with all kinds of animals. This vision was crucial to understanding that the gospel is for Gentiles as well as Jews. God commanded him to slaughter and eat these animals that were unclean to the Jews. This act of eating implied full acceptance. God used Peter's physical hunger to reveal spiritual truths.

A reading of Acts reveals that in its early stages, the early church was bound by Jewish customs and traditions. This cultural bondage was an obstacle to missionary work for Gentiles. To break down this obstacle, God directly intervenes in this situation. Through revelation, God first speaks to Cornelio, a Roman soldier, to invite Peter (Simon) and then speaks to Peter to receive the Gentiles. Peter accepts Cornelio's invitation and visits his home, and the door to Gentile missionary work is now wide open. Again, in this scene, the focus is on "eating together," from the words of the Jewish Christians to Peter. Eating together with Gentiles was unacceptable to Jews, who valued their own culture, but God wanted to overcome this culture to extend His Kingdom.

◆ Acts of the Apostles Acts 11:1-3, 17-18
11:1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
11:2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
11:3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"
11:17 "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Conclusion

The central pillar of the Church (the house of God) is our communion with the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and then with each other as we dwell there. God wants us to live in intimate communion with Himself. We are to live in a relationship of love, service, and prayer with one another in our daily lives as God's family as the first-century disciples lived. "Eating together" is an essential part of building relationships as God's family and extending the Kingdom of God.