Catechism on Closed Communion

By Rev. Paul Beisel

What is closed Communion?

Closed Communion is the practice of giving the Lord’s Supper only to communicant members of parishes that are in pulpit and altar fellowship with one another.

Is this a relatively new practice in the Church?

Not at all. The Lutheran reformers, following the custom of the ancient Church, gave Communion only to those who had first been examined and absolved of their sins (AC XXV). Likewise, an ancient document called the Didache warns: “Let no one eat or drink of the Eucharist with you except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord; for it was in reference to this that the Lord said: ‘Do not give that which is holy to dogs.’” Justin Martyr, writing as early as the midsecond century AD, says concerning admission to the Supper: “We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration, and is thereby living as Christ has enjoined.”

But if Holy Communion is such a wonderful gift, why would we want someone to be deprived of it?

We most certainly want all Christians to partake of the Sacrament of the Altar, seeing that it is such a marvelous gift of Christ to His Church. However, responsible and loving stewardship of Christ’s gifts necessitates that we carefully examine each person’s faith before admitting one to the Lord’s Supper. God’s Word says no less, for St. Paul writes concerning ministers of the Word:“Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:1–2).

What is it about the Lord’s Supper that necessitates such care and caution in its distribution?

St. Paul teaches that participation in the Lord’s Supper is a participation or communion in the body and blood of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:16 says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”

Since, then, the true body and blood of Christ are given, eaten, and drunk in the Supper, St. Paul writes that whoever receives it in an unworthy manner “is guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27). Moreover, the same Apostle warns that “anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:29).

So, it is not safe for everyone to receive the body and blood of the Lord?

No, it is not. Everyone who partakes of the Eucharist receives the body and blood of the Lord, whether they are believing or unbelieving, repentant or unrepentant, as the above mentioned verses indicate. Therefore, those who approach the Lord’s Table without repentance and true faith receive the Lord’s Supper for judgment. Those who are worthy, that is, who approach the Supper with penitent hearts and true faith in the words of the Sacrament receive it for salvation.

So, closed Communion is practiced out of loving concern for the souls of men and out of faithfulness to God?

Yes, indeed! We do not want anyone to receive something that might be harmful to them, nor do we want to profane God’s holy gifts. However, participation in the Sacrament is also an expression of doctrinal unity. St. Paul criticizes the Church at Corinth because there were divisions among those who partook of the Lord’s Supper together. Those who commune together also ought to be in doctrinal agreement.

If examination is so necessary before admitting one to the altar, then why do pastors not examine members of other LCMS parishes before communing them?

Out of Christian charity, we trust that those who claim membership in an LCMS parish have been thoroughly instructed and examined by their pastor and have been formally received into communicant membership of their church. Our churches and pastors have all pledged fidelity to the same doctrinal confession and have vowed to teach according to it. A responsible pastor will make certain that those who wish to commune, even if from another LCMS parish, are members in good standing of their congregation. This may necessitate a phone call to the pastor of the visitors.

What if a visitor who is not a member of an LCMS parish but believes the true teaching concerning the Lord’s Supper wishes to take Communion? Should pastors make exceptions in such cases?

If a pastor in conversation with a visiting non-Lutheran Christian discovers that the person confesses the true teaching concerning the Lord’s Supper, it would still not be wise to admit the person to Holy Communion until it was clear that he or she was in agreement with all the teachings of the Lutheran Church and intended to become a communicant member.

Is it also inappropriate for a Lutheran Christian to participate in Communion at other parishes that are not in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS?

Yes! It is inappropriate for this reason: when you participate in Holy Communion, you are publicly declaring your agreement with the teaching of the pastor and congregation where the Lord’s Supper is being offered. Can one who believes that Christ’s true body and blood are given, eaten, and drunk in the Supper also partake in a church that does not teach this? Not without doing damage to his or her conscience.

How do I respond when my non-Lutheran friends say I’m calling them non-Christians by not letting them take Communion with me?

It often happens that non-Lutheran Christians are offended when they are told they cannot commune at your church.They may think that you are insinuating that they are not in fact Christians. This is not at all what the practice of closed Communion implies. Lutherans recognize that there are genuine Christians even in erring denominations, even as we confess that there are false Christians within Lutheran churches. By practicing closed Communion, we are simply being honest, acknowledging the divisions that exist within Christendom. We do not try to pretend that there is doctrinal unity where there is none. Let your friends or family know that you are not questioning their individual faith in Jesus, but that your churches simply do not teach the same thing concerning the Lord’s Supper. Invite them to talk to your pastor if they have further questions about what your church believes.

What may I say to non-Lutheran friends or family who are visiting on a Sunday and wish to come to church?

First, inform them that Holy Communion is being offered in the service. Next, patiently explain to them that they are welcome to participate in the service but that Holy Communion is given only to communicant members of LCMS parishes. If they ask why, you may tell them that your pastor and congregation are not in fellowship with theirs, should they belong to another Christian congregation, and that agreement in doctrine is necessary before fellowship at Holy Communion may be enjoyed. You may also briefly explain your belief that Christ’s true body and blood are given, eaten, and drunk in the Lord’s Supper, and not all Christian congregations believe this, teach it, or confess it. If they continue to press you for answers, you may invite them to have a meeting with your pastor.

Rev. Paul Beisel serves as an editorial associate and is pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, Warsaw, Illinois, and Messiah Lutheran Church, Keokuk, Iowa. His e-mail address is beiselpa@adams.net.