What was it like to attend a first century Agape meal? In many respects it would have been like attending a dinner party today, with the exception that the meal would conclude with the taking of bread and wine in memory of Jesus. There would have been other differences also, as this ancient gathering would also have included singing, prayer, and teaching. In terms of its format, the first century Agape has been compared to the Graeco-Roman banquet of those days, which was a social gathering in a home where the meal would typically be followed by various elements of ‘entertainment’. Like the Graeco-Roman banquet, the Agape was an informally structured social gathering,
but in contrast its content was devotional, inspirational, and spiritual. The Agape meal would generally have consisted of simple foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fish. It would have concluded with the breaking of bread, in which Jesus’ followers remembered His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. This weekly Agape celebration strengthened and grounded the church in its relationship with Jesus who was spiritually present with them. It also fostered a deep sense of community and belonging, reinforcing the spiritual bond among the members, as they remembered His teachings and sacrifice. The quality of relationships among members was characterised by deep
love, mutual support, and a shared commitment to living out their faith. This close bond created a strong sense of family and belonging, where each member was cared for and valued as part of a spiritual family. We might say that the Agape was the relational heart of the first church.