Q. A few, in a gathering, met on a week-day for the breaking of bread at the house, and at the request of a sick (perhaps dying) person, and another (who had previously expressed a desire to break bread, but who cannot go to the Lord's-day meetings for that purpose) is allowed to do so at the same time, both not having been publicly received at the Lord's table, and the gathering not having been previously acquainted with the intention thus to break bread.
1. Does this not in effect bring these two into fellowship?
2. Is it not irregular reception?
3. If the Lord's table is the expression of unity, should not intermediate meetings for breaking of bread he confined to those in fellowship?
A. Undoubtedly the breaking of bread is the sign of Christian fellowship, the communion of Christ's body and blood. And it is well, as a regular rule, to inform the assembly of any such act as breaking bread with a sick saint, as also of another expected to break bread there who could not usually, both being souls on adequate testimony recognized as members of Christ's body, against whom no valid objection existed. Otherwise the act, if done without such care, might become a plea for factious persons and real offenses against godly fellowship. Acts ii. 96 proves that there is no Scriptural hindrance. The saints at first used to break bread at home daily. A week-day, therefore, in a private house is no sufficient objection, though the Lord's-day be rightly owned as the constant claim of grace on all saints with the authority of the word in Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7), and in Cor. xi. xvi. But we have to take into account the present ruin of the church, and, while careful of order and zealous for edification, we must not forget the many members of Christ outside us as to whom we should act in gracious wisdom. Hence it is notorious that when at the close of many a conference breaking broad on a weekday, and in towns where there might or might not be saints gathered to Christ's name, we have gladly let known saints break bread with us though there had been no previous intimation. We should seek to apply the “one body and one Spirit” in grace, as well as stringently. Singleness of eye, with a heart of love, in subjection to the Lord, will have His guidance.