S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The difference between "open" and "closed" communion hinges on a church's view of the purpose of communion and the authority of the church. Churches that practice "open" communion invite all profes...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Brandon Hughes Regular Worker Guy

If a pastor believes the Lord's Supper has no benefit and gives no harm to anyone (despite clear contradictions in scripture) then closed communion sounds quite foreign and unloving.

Closed communion has been practiced by the church for millennia because of Paul's warning to believers in 1 Cor 11:29-30, that physical harm can come to our bodies by taking the Lord's Supper improperly. 

Just as a doctor is required to dispense medicine in a responsible manner and is held accountable for harm to those he flippantly prescribed potentially harmful medicine to, a pastor carries this same responsibility. Christ has charged pastors as under shepherds to care for His flock (John 21) and they will have to give an account of their actions on judgement day.

When distributing the elements is the pastor determining who is or is not a Christian or if they are worthy enough? Of course not. A pastor has the responsibility to instruct his flock from the bible concerning communion: the benefits it bestows and the harm it can bring. After being taught about the Lord's Supper, the consequences of it's use/misuse/abuse fall on the communicant.

October 25 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report