Should congregations practice closed communion?
Question:
My family and I are members of the Lord’s church, and we visited a congregation this morning. During the Lord’s Supper, we were bypassed and not given the opportunity to partake. One of the leaders noticed our expressions and approached us before Bible class began. He explained that we were skipped because he didn’t know us. He also mentioned that other visitors had expressed anger about the same issue and didn’t return. Additionally, he offered to sit down with us and open the Scriptures together. However, I’ve always understood that partaking of the Lord’s Supper is an individual matter. Could you provide clarification on this?
Thank you.
Answer:
I don't know any congregation that practices closed communion, though I'm sure some exist since it is a common denominational practice, and such things creep into the churches.
There is a common misunderstanding of this passage: "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly" (I Corinthians 11:27-29). People have assumed Paul is saying that people who partake of the Lord's Supper must be worthy of it, but that is not what Paul said. Paul said that partaking of the Lord's Supper must be done in a worthy manner. In other words, the service must be respectful and honor our Lord, who died for us. Those who partake should look at themselves and make sure they are giving due respect to the Lord. Notice that it is the individual who examines himself. There is no command for others to examine him.
No passage indicates that the Lord's Supper must only be offered to Christians. It only has meaning to Christians, but we don't add rules that God did not give. If a non-Christian wishes to partake of the Lord's Supper, it doesn't change his status before the Lord.
Response:
I appreciate your response!
