Difference between revisions of "Closed communion"
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'''Closed communion''' is the practice in some [[Christian]] [[church]]es of offering [[communion]] (also known as Holy Eucharist or Lord's Supper) only to members of the same [[denomination]] (or more restrictively to only members of the specific congregation). The reason for practicing closed communion is generally because of differing beliefs about the meaning and nature of Holy Communion that exist among denominations. | '''Closed communion''' is the practice in some [[Christian]] [[church]]es of offering [[communion]] (also known as Holy Eucharist or Lord's Supper) only to members of the same [[denomination]] (or more restrictively to only members of the specific congregation). The reason for practicing closed communion is generally because of differing beliefs about the meaning and nature of Holy Communion that exist among denominations. | ||
| − | A variant on this practice, called "close" or "cracked" communion, allows participants who are not members of that congregation or denomination, but are members of one "of like faith and practice", to participate. For example, | + | A variant on this practice, called "close" or "cracked" communion, allows participants who are not members of that congregation or denomination, but are members of one "of like faith and practice", to participate. For example, a Southern Baptist church practicing such would allow a member of another Southern Baptist church to participate, might allow a member of an Independent Baptist church to participate (as Southern Baptists and Independent Baptists hold the same views on Communion), and might allow a member of a non-denominational evangelical church (or even a Pentecostal church) to participate (again due to common views on Communion), but would exclude a Catholic from participating (as Catholics believe in [[transubstantiation]] whereas Southern Baptists do not). |
==Churches that practice closed communion== | ==Churches that practice closed communion== | ||
*[[Catholic Church]]: The Roman Catholic Church normally restricts communion to Catholics in good standing (i.e. not in mortal sin and not excommunicated). On certain occasions members of other churches with valid holy orders and identical beliefs about the Eucharist are admitted to communion. | *[[Catholic Church]]: The Roman Catholic Church normally restricts communion to Catholics in good standing (i.e. not in mortal sin and not excommunicated). On certain occasions members of other churches with valid holy orders and identical beliefs about the Eucharist are admitted to communion. | ||
| − | |||
*[[Eastern Orthodox Church]] | *[[Eastern Orthodox Church]] | ||
| − | + | *Some [[Baptists]] (mainly [[Independent Baptist]]s but also including some [[Reformed]] Baptists, predominantly those smaller congregations which can actually observe and prohibit people from participating) | |
| − | *Some [[Baptists]] (mainly [[Independent Baptist]]s) | ||
| − | |||
*[[Conservative Mennonites]], Old Order Mennonites, [[Amish]] | *[[Conservative Mennonites]], Old Order Mennonites, [[Amish]] | ||
| − | |||
*Confessional [[Lutherans]] | *Confessional [[Lutherans]] | ||
| − | |||
*[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] | *[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] | ||
| − | + | *Some [[Churches of Christ]] | |
| − | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 22: | Line 16: | ||
*[[Open communion]] | *[[Open communion]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Christian Theology]] |
Latest revision as of 00:56, February 8, 2023
Closed communion is the practice in some Christian churches of offering communion (also known as Holy Eucharist or Lord's Supper) only to members of the same denomination (or more restrictively to only members of the specific congregation). The reason for practicing closed communion is generally because of differing beliefs about the meaning and nature of Holy Communion that exist among denominations.
A variant on this practice, called "close" or "cracked" communion, allows participants who are not members of that congregation or denomination, but are members of one "of like faith and practice", to participate. For example, a Southern Baptist church practicing such would allow a member of another Southern Baptist church to participate, might allow a member of an Independent Baptist church to participate (as Southern Baptists and Independent Baptists hold the same views on Communion), and might allow a member of a non-denominational evangelical church (or even a Pentecostal church) to participate (again due to common views on Communion), but would exclude a Catholic from participating (as Catholics believe in transubstantiation whereas Southern Baptists do not).
Churches that practice closed communion
- Catholic Church: The Roman Catholic Church normally restricts communion to Catholics in good standing (i.e. not in mortal sin and not excommunicated). On certain occasions members of other churches with valid holy orders and identical beliefs about the Eucharist are admitted to communion.
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- Some Baptists (mainly Independent Baptists but also including some Reformed Baptists, predominantly those smaller congregations which can actually observe and prohibit people from participating)
- Conservative Mennonites, Old Order Mennonites, Amish
- Confessional Lutherans
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- Some Churches of Christ