"Closed Communion"

"Many denominations allow anyone who is in their worship service

to attend Holy Communion, but we don't. Why don't we?"

This question is an important one. It can best be answered in several parts, each beginning with a question.

Who does the Sacrament belong to?
Matthew 26:26-28 says, "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."  Holy Communion is truly the LORD'S Supper. It is not ours to change or interpret as we see fit. It does not belong to us, it belongs to Him. He commanded not only that it be done, but how it is to be done.

What is the Lord's Supper?
The Lord's Supper is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, given to us by Him to eat and drink, through which we are forgiven of our sins, strengthened in our faith, empowered for holy living, and openly united with Him and with each other.

Don't all Christians believe this?
No. Roman Catholics teach that bread and wine are "changed into" Christ's body and blood by the words of the priest, that Christ is "re-crucified" each time the Supper is celebrated, and that the elements are not only to eat and drink, but to worship and adore. They clearly say and do things with Christ's Supper that He never meant to be taught or done.  Reformed Churches (Baptist, Methodist, etc.) flatly reject the words of Christ and teach that Christ's body and blood are not present in the Sacrament at all. Bread and wine merely symbolize His body and blood. This is a clear denial of His Words, "this IS My body ... this IS My blood."

Can't a Christian receive the blessings of the Lord's Supper even if they don't correctly understand Christ's teachings about it?
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:28-29, "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself."  People need to know what they are doing and receiving before they are ready to partake of the Lord's Supper. This is critical because even unbelievers and erring believers receive Christ's body and blood, whether or not they know it or believe it. The presence of His body and blood does not depend on whether or not someone believes it is there, but on Christ's promise that it is there, regardless of what the person receiving the Sacrament believes or doesn't believe.  The crucial point is that, though all people receive Christ's body and blood, those who believe Christ's words about the Sacrament receive it to their great spiritual benefit, and those who do not believe His words receive it to their "judgment."  Judgment means that God holds accountable all who receive His gift, yet at the same time reject the truth of what it is. Even believers can knowingly or unknowingly do things that bring harm to their faith, despite the purity of their motives. It is therefore not faith alone (which many of other churches certainly have), but faith and an understanding of what Christ is giving in the Sacrament, that causes a person to receive it to their benefit.  In addition, 1 Corinthians 10:17 states, "Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." Communing declares that we are "one body" (having the same exact understanding of the Lord's Supper) with those communing with us. It is hypocritical to either commune those of other beliefs in our church or to commune in their churches. Doing so implies a unity with them that simply does not exist. It clearly violates Romans 16:17 which says, "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."

Then what is our motive for denying the Lord's Supper to those who deny Christ's words of institution?
In a word -- LOVE. First it is love for the Lord, a love which causes us to want to do nothing more or nothing less than what He commands.  Secondly, it is love for the persons to whom we deny the Sacrament. We do not want to be responsible for their eating and drinking God's judgment upon themselves. We rather want to have the opportunity to teach them what Christ has taught us, that they might believe His Words, understand the Sacrament for what it is, and receive from it the great blessings of forgiveness of sins and strength for their faith and life.

For another excellent article on our practice of closed communion by Pastor Harris from Trinity Lutheran Church in Austin Texas, click HERE.