Expert: Dr Don Howe - 3/3/2010

Question
I was perplexed by an answer that you gave to another person regarding the LCMS and Southern Baptist differences.  I belong to an LCMS church and have visited several across the country.  The practice in our church regarding communion is that it is open to all baptized persons who believe in the body and blood of Christ in the bread and wine (obviously not in the Catholic form).  I've also never been to an LCMS church that diluted the wine.  I have been to Southern Baptist churches that practice closed communion (only Southern Baptists were allowed to participate).

Also, I have yet to meet a pastor who believes infants are burning in hell because they weren't baptized.  No one I know within the LCMS congregations has ever expressed that opinion.  If Jesus taught of the Father's love for children, that would be contrary to his teaching.  I know I have heard Southern Baptists say that when a child reaches the age of accountability, that a child must make a decision to receive Christ and then be baptized.  I've been told that failure to accept Christ at this age of accountability would mean an eternity in hell if the child died.  How do Southern Baptists determine the age of accountability?

And one more thing, I'd love to invite you to attend Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cabot, Arkansas.  Yes, we are a liturgical church, but our services are spirit filled.  Not boring, stodgy, or stuffy!  Our pastor speaks from the heart, not the pulpit, and never with a note in hand.  Matter of fact, I don't know any LCMS pastors who rely on prepared sermons.  Truth is, you'd be in for such a fantastic worship filled service if you ever visit the area!

Answer
Sharon, thank you so much for your questions.  Sharon, you stated “I belong to an LCMS church and have visited several across the country. The practice in our church regarding communion is that it is open to all baptized persons who believe in the body and blood of Christ in the bread and wine (obviously not in the Catholic form). I've also never been to an LCMS church that diluted the wine. I have been to Southern Baptist churches that practice closed communion (only Southern Baptists were allowed to participate).You need to read your own denominations belief because the LCMS has closed communion and not open communion.
  Coming off the official LCMS website, www.lcms.org, and on that website there is a 1983 report from their own May 1983 report from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Under the section entitled “Part II Practice of the Lord’s Supper” and under there is a subheading of entitled D “Practice Accord to the Doctrines of the Church” and under that there is a subheading numbered “2. Close Communion.”
  In the first paragraph in the “Close Communion” section it states “The practice of refusing Communion to certain Christians and the general population at Lutheran altars is called close Communion. This practice serves the Gospel, and even those refused, by its reverence for our Lord's last will and testament.” There is in plain English in their own Belief’s Statement that they practice closed communion, and not open communion as you stated.
  In this section, it goes on to state “The reasons for the practice of close Communion are often misunderstood by Christians who have been accustomed to an "open Communion" policy. In a tract  entitled "Why Close Communion?" the rationale for the practice of close Communion is explained in this way: So it is not that a Lutheran congregation wants to bar fellow-saints from the blessings of the Eucharist when they practice Close Communion. It is not that they want to be separatistic, or set themselves up as judges of other men. The practice of Close Communion is prompted by love and is born of the heartfelt conviction, on the basis of Scripture alone, that we must follow Christ's command. This means refusing the Lord's Supper to t hose whose belief is not known to us. It is not showing love to allow a person to do something harmful, even though he may think it is for his own good. It also means if they are members of a Christian body which departs from the full truth of Scripture in some of its doctrines, that we must not minimize the evil of this false teaching by opening our fellowship to any and all Christians who err in the faith” (Donald Deffner, "Why Close Communion?" Berkeley, Calif., 1955, p. 14). So this further proof the LCMS believes in closed communion just as I said.
  It goes on to state in this section “In keeping with the principle that the celebration and reception of the Lord's Supper is a confession of the unity of faith, while at the same time recognizing that there will be instances when sensitive pastoral care needs to be exercised, the Synod has established an official practice requiring "that pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those synods which are now in fellowship with us." By following this practice whereby only those individuals who are members of the Synod or of a church body with which the Synod is in altar and pulpit fellowship are ordinarily communed, pastors and congregations preserve the integrity of their witness to the Gospel of Christ as it is revealed in the Scriptures and confessed in the Lutheran confessional writings” (1967 Res. 2-19. See also 1969 Res. 3-18 and 1981 Res. 3-01. Cf. Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, III, p. 381).

  So Sharon there is the proof right off the LCMS website itself. So research further for yourself.

  I belonged to 3 LCMS churches that they practiced closed communion, but if your LCMS congregation practices open communion that is okay, but the Pastor needs to have permission of his State Synod Director to practice something that is not in the Belief and Statement of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. But that is a congregational polity issue and not a biblical issue.

  So the practice of either open or closed communion is okay as long it is within the beliefs of that denomination. No one particular way is better an another, but it’s a choice of the each denomination and church. What is important that the Lord’s Supper is carried out  the Lord Jesus told us to do it God’s Word, be repentant our in hearts and be right with God to take communion, and be reverent in the carrying out the ordinance.  

  SBC churches may do either open or closed communion but it a matter of choice of the congregation and the Senior Pastor.

  As far of the age of accountability, is totally based on each individual. But they have to be of an age to be aware they are a sinner, need to repent of their sins, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. AN INFANT CAN NOT DO THIS. YOU CAN NOT BIBLICALLY DEFEND INFANT BAPTISIM, but again it is not baptism that saves us but the being repentant and being washed by the blood of the Lamb. Your liturgical churches perform infant baptism which is okay if they is what they believe, but if the church teaches that if one is baptized as an infant they are saved are teaching and practicing in ERROR. You are in error if you think just because you were baptized as an infant, you are going to Heaven and are saved. Again baptism does not save you. Being born again saves and only people who are of the age to be able to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and  Savior can be saved. Babies can not profess this. This is why the LCMS has catechism.

  Whether, a church uses wine, diluted wine, or grape juice during communion is trivial and is based on the preference of each church.  

  Sharon, I hope this helps.

Blessings.

Dr Don Howe, RN, PhD, ThD