Closed Communion
-- Apostolic Christian Church Practices Series --
To
better understand the underlying reasons for
confining the Lord's Supper only to
faithful brethren within a particular denomination; it helps to obtain a firm
understanding as to what constitutes the true body of Christ, the church.
The body of Christ consists of those persons who are
considered, in the eyes of God, to be the true followers of the Lord, Jesus
Christ. They have completed the requirements necessary for inclusion into this
most holy body. Because this body cuts across denominational lines, in many
instances perhaps only God knows who belongs to this group.
Since the time of Christ and particularly since His ascension
into heaven, there have existed numerous groups of people, each with varying
degrees of belief, understanding, devotion, zeal, and overall discipleship. Each
would claim to be part of the body of Christ.
Viewing, over the centuries, the life and conduct of the
multiplicity of groups claiming to be Christian and the overall apostasy (and in
some instances outright evil they committed or allowed) and in witnessing the
false doctrines many of them espoused or tolerated, it is only natural one would
become suspect if some of these groups are truly a genuine part of the holy body
of Christ.
Pluralism and duplicity of belief, sad to say, are among the
hallmarks of the Christian faith. This has resulted (in the United States) in
hundreds of church denominations, each claiming to walk under the banner of
Christ. Many of these denominations tolerate sub-Christian standards in their
fellowship which often bring reproach to the name of Christ. Also, many of them
harbor false doctrines.
There are several groups who, because of their concern about
false doctrines and sub-Christian standards coming into their churches, confine
their holy communion service to members of their denomination who are
considered to be in good standing, and who believe as they do. Likemindedness in
belief is a Biblical standard. This practice is known as closed communion. In
essence, the communion table is not open to members of other denominations who
would claim to be Christians.
Such a practice, of course, has resulted in controversy with
those opposing it saying it is not the duty of the church to say who may take
Holy Communion and who may not. They further contend that only God can see into
the heart, and if an individual says he is ready to take communion, so be it.
The proponents of closed communion feel otherwise, and it is the intent of this
essay to outline the basic theological reasons for observing closed communion.
THE PURPOSE OF HOLY COMMUNION
While the rite of Holy
Communion may mean different things to different people, and one could explain
at length what it really means, for the sake of brevity it is a time when
persons of common belief and like precious faith gather together to eat of the
body (bread) and drink of the cup (wine) in solemn and symbolic remembrance of
the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. The Lord's death and shed blood,
of course, constituted an act of redemption for all who have repented of their
sins and become converted, and are faithful until life's end.
Unquestionably, the matter of taking Holy Communion is a
direct commandment from the Lord. This injunction is given in three gospels, one
of which is found in
Luke 22:19-20:
"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me"
"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you".
Holy Communion is celebrated
periodically to deeply impress on a believer's heart the great redemptive act
Christ performed at Calvary. A sense of gratitude, appreciation, and humility is
prevalent at a communion ceremony.
Holy Communion underscores the fact that a true Christian
shares a closeness - a common union - with Christ, with God, and with the Holy
Spirit. In this realm holy communion also symbolizes the believer's spiritual
union with the body of Christ, the church, and by virtue of taking Holy
Communion one indicates his support of, and oneness with, the holy church. Also,
by taking Holy Communion, a believer indicates he is at peace with God and man.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
Contingent on a believer
properly taking holy communion is that he be ready, or worthy, to actually take
it. One does not arbitrarily take it, but must be in a state of readiness to
participate. This does not imply that one must be perfect to take Holy
Communion. One must, however, be free from sin, be walking in a state of grace,
and be at peace with God and man. He should also support the church, the bride
of Christ of which he claims to be a part.
One must be living in separation from the world of sin. The
Apostle Paul said, "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils;
ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table,
and the table of devils (I
Corinthians 10:21).
Also one must be worthy to take Holy Communion. Paul further
instructs, "Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup,
unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of Christ", (I
Corinthians 11:29). And "For he that eateth
and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body" (I
Corinthians 11:29).
Consequently, prior to participating in Holy Communion one is
to examine himself, spiritually, to see if he is truly in the faith and is free
from sin. According to Scriptures, it is essential that one conduct a personal,
inner proving of himself to see if he is walking in submission to God and that
he truly appreciates and remembers the death of Christ, which Holy Communion
commemorates.
If a person would take Holy Communion unworthily two things
result: (1) he is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, and (2) he eateth
and drinketh damnnation to himself.
OPEN COMMUNION
A major question concerning the Lord's Supper is who should be admitted? Those who practice "open communion" state that no believer of any Christian persuasion should be excluded, because in their view Holy Communion is not a denominational table, but the Lord's table. Also, they say, it is the individual who shall examine himself, not the church. A good many churches observe this policy.
CLOSED COMMUNION
Closed communion is confined to members
of a particular denomination. This policy is not for the purpose of exclusion,
but is more a recognition of the solemn fact that there are Biblical
requirements for participation in the life of true Christian brotherhood.
Holy Communion is indeed a solemn and sacred rite. It is
perhaps one of the holiest rituals of the church along with baptism by
immersion. Considering the seriousness of Holy Communion, should there be any
question of one's readiness to participate?
Surely, it would not be wise on the part of a church body to allow persons to
drink of the cup and eat of the bread if there was some doubt concerning their
worthiness. In this line of reasoning, would the church baptize a soul that was
not ready? Obviously not!
Because of the consequences associated with taking Holy
Communion unworthily - namely, drinking damnation to oneself and being guilty of
the body and blood of the Lord - a church body would be remiss if it carelessly
allowed this to happen. Can a church, in good conscience and in obedience to
Scriptures, allow persons to take Holy Communion indiscriminately?
If the church allowed any professed "Christians" to join in
Holy Communion, it is quite likely some would end up taking it unworthily. Also,
there would be a mingling of differing views and varying understandings of
faith, and deception could well creep into the church. Such a uniting together
to remember the death of Christ would not be done "in common" because the faith
and belief of those communing would not be the same. Thus, in a sense, taking
Holy Communion under such circumstances would be contradictory, because although
their belief in God might be somewhat in common, their overall Christian walk
and observance of God's ordinances would not necessarily be found in common.
They would not be "perfectly joined together".
A noted theological scholar once wrote: "Closed communion is
made necessary by the fact that not all Christian groups today require strictly
Christian standards, that is, some denominations definitely tolerate
sub-Christian standards on the part of their members. If the church is entitled
to set up Biblical standards for membership it would surely follow that those
requirements should be met by those who wish to commune. If all Christian
denominations had identical standards for a high Christian life including
separation unto God and nonconformity to the world there would be no occasion
for closed communion. It is not the spiritual Christians of other denominations
which necessitate closed communion, but the attitude of tolerance toward
transgressors of New Testament teachings which many groups in modern Christendom
exhibit".1
Also, a necessity
for observing Holy Communion is the fact that a soul must have previously gone
through a true conversion, repented for his sins, and attained peace with God.
There are many church groups that have little understanding about repentance and
conversion, and a complete surrender to God.
BROTHERHOOD
Before one can truly gain a
clear grasp of why a policy of closed communion should be maintained, he must
fully under- stand the concept of brotherhood as it relates to the precepts of
the body of Christ - the church.
The church, in reality, is a brotherhood consisting of
brothers and sisters in the Lord. Members of the body are referred to, in
Scriptures, as a royal priesthood, a chosen generation, an holy nation, and a
peculiar people. The bond of love exercised among the members of the body is so
strong, and the presence of humility so prevalent, that each member attempts to
seek, not his own, but his brother's welfare. Each of the members are to submit
to each other in the fear of God. They are to serve the Lord in "one accord" and
all are to mind the same rule. The Biblical ideal is that they are to be, not
only likeminded, but perfectly joined together.
Thus, when brethren join together for the sacred and
sacramental act of Holy Communion they should join together in a perfect
oneness, both in doctrine and practice, having a faith and conversation that is
common in all aspects of life.
It would be contradictory, as well as contrary to Scripture,
it the table of communion was open arbitrarily to any professed believer. If
this occurred the communion with the Lord would not be a common one, nor would
the various communicants be perfectly joined together, or united in heart and
mind that is so sweet to the truly converted.
All degrees of religious thought and practice, and persons
with varying levels of commitment and understanding would be unnaturally mingled
together, and the concept of oneness as taught by Scriptures would not be
realized. Probably, many would be taking Holy Communion unworthily, which the
Bible teaches against.
Only persons who have been truly converted and are walking on
righteous pathways, and denying themselves un- godliness, should be admitted to
the Lord's Supper. The church, by hearing a convert's testimony and thus proving
it, can be assured and satisfied that a person is truly converted. The Lord
Jesus said also, "By their fruits ye shall know them".
If Holy Communion is open to all professed believers then the
church might be granting a false security to certain persons by giving a tacit
recognition that they are Christian when, in fact, perhaps they are not - never
having truly repented for their sins.
Perhaps they are converted - perhaps they are not. For those who would not be,
the church would be acknowledging they are. This would be wrong.
If, by such an open communion policy, occasionally a sinner
took communion, the church may be guilty of the Scripture found in
I Tim. 5:22, "neither be partakers of
other men's sins".
To keep this rite a holy and godly one patterned after
Scriptures, and to insure that brethren celebrate it "in common", and to
maintain the Scriptural command that all take it worthily, closed
communion is the only way a church can confine this sacred ritual to those whom
the church feels are truly converted.
(Click the footnote to continue reading)
1. Wenger, John C., Separated Unto God, Herald Press, page 214.