Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/21/2008

Question
Why do some Baptist churches practice closed communion?  When partaking of the Lord's supper, why do some churches only allow participation by their members?

Answer
Hi Judy,

THank you for this great question.  I have never practiced closed communion, but I think that I can explain why some Baptists choose to do so.

1.  The ordinances of communion and Baptism were given to the local church.

2.  The local church then is the guardian to make sure that only believers are baptized and only those who are saved and in right fellowship with God take communion.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  How could a church know your standing and testimony if you are not a member of that church.  You could be on church discipline in your church, but show up and take communion in our church.  You could not do that if you were only taking communion in the church to which you belong.

I do not believe that we need to be so strinct in the enforcement of communion, that is why I do not practice closed communion.  I do, however, understand why some choose to do so.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don