The Lord's Supper

it may help if you expalin each view I have never heard of these.
Closed ?
Close ?
Open ?

 

Closed--local church membership
Close--members of the local church and other churches of "like faith and order"
Open--all Christians

 

Thanks, but I still do not understand what does taking communion have to do with other churches or other believers.
Sorry still confused

 

In close communion, if member of a similar church were visiting (for whatever reason), then he could take communion with the church attended.

In open communion, if a Christian of any stripe were visiting the church, she could take communion with the church attended.

In closed communion, all visitors to the church would not be allowed to participate. Only the local church's membership could take communion.

Does that help?

 

I believe that Communion should be open to all baptized believers. Not only is it a commemoration of the death of Christ and His wonderful salvific work, but it also, like baptism, expresses our unity with Him. Communion also expresses our unity with all members of the Body of Christ. It is also a symbol of the sacred meal we will sit down to eat TOGETHER when we all meet Christ. I think that closing communion off from any baptized believer is...well...I don't think it's right.

Adrian

 

StefanM

Yes that helps. I had never heard that in all my 20 years as a Christian. Go figure ?

Well it only makes sense that to God all who have accepted him as Lord and Saviour are ONE.


We are all the BODY of Christ and the BRIDE of Christ no matter what denominating we come from. In heaven we are not going to be in our little groups, but we will all be the same. The same in mind and spirit.

So I guess I would choose OPEN communion.

 

Oh I see, No I believe according to 1 Cor. 11
that one HAS to be a believer and be baptized. And above all else have their heart right before taking communion !

Of course if you are in a good church your pastor will make that very clear from the get go. So there should be no misunderstanding to visitors.

If you go to another church, you are only accountable for yourself and your family not others. So since you know you are saved, baptized and your heart is right you should be able to take communion.

I really don't see the problem. Other than the pastor is responsble to preach sound doctrine when it comes to taking communion. And we know many do not.

 

Actually there is 2 Views of Open Communion.

1. Open Communion
a. Any Baptized Believer - That term baptized usually refers to both Believers and Infant baptized so long as one has received Trinitarian baptism and are a Christian. In other words it respects both views of baptism as being valid. This is probably the most popular view of Protestant churches and many Baptists.

b. Anyone Whatsoever - Believers and Unbelievers. (This seems to be the weakest view of them all and the most careless) I know of very few Churches who hold this view.

3. Close Communion - As stated earlier, any one of a likeminded Church may partake. Many Baptists hold this view and Lutheran Churches ( LCMS), Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox.

4. Closed Communion - Only members of that local church. Primarily held by Landmark Baptists and I believe Primitive Baptists.

 

Pastor_Bob,
Maybe as you define "open communion" that is the meaning, but as I and many others define it that is not the case. Open communion means (to most denominations that practice it) that any baptized Christian may partake of the elements. Those who are outside Christ are not supposed to do so.