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“Closed”) Communion Life and Salvation” (Small Catechism, Cis the Practice of Serving Holy “The Sacrament of the Altar”)

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“Closed”) Communion Life and Salvation” (Small Catechism, Cis the Practice of Serving Holy “The Sacrament of the Altar”) in the Sacrament forgiveness of Sacrament (Luke 22:19–20)? and What Is Close(d) sins, life, and salvation are given us (4) Do we desire, with the Spirit’s through these words. For where there help, to change our sinful lives Communion? is forgiveness of sins, there is also (Ephesians 4:22–24)? lose (or “closed”) Communion life and salvation” (Small Catechism, Cis the practice of serving Holy “The Sacrament of the Altar”). Who Should Not Communion to those for whom Christ intended it – namely, to those who “Examine Commune? have been instructed in the Christian Those, therefore, who do not faith, who are able and willing to Yourselves” believe in Jesus as their Savior “examine themselves,” and who share But only those who are properly or who eat and drink without a common faith and confession. This prepared according to our Lord’s recognizing the body of the Lord practice dates back to the earliest days command are to receive the Lord’s should not commune, because of the Church. In fact, most Christians Supper. Writing by Christ’s authority that person eats and drinks in the world today belong to church (1 Corinthians 11:23) to sinner-saints judgment on himself. Those unable bodies that practice some form of close(d) in Corinth, St. Paul says “Whoever, to examine themselves, such as Communion. therefore, eats the bread or drinks infants, or those who have not the cup of the Lord in an unworthy received proper instruction, should “For the Forgiveness manner will be guilty of profaning receive such instruction before the body and blood of the Lord. Let coming to the Lord’s Table. Those of Sins” a person examine himself, then, and unwilling to examine themselves On the night He was betrayed, “Now so eat of the bread and drink of the – those who are openly ungodly as they were eating [the Passover cup. For anyone who eats and drinks or unrepentant or who refuse to meal], Jesus took bread, and after without discerning the body eats be reconciled with others–cannot blessing it broke it and gave it to the and drinks judgment on himself ” receive Christ’s forgiveness in the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this (1 Corinthians 11:27–29). While Sacrament unless they recognize is My body.’ And He took a cup, and Christ intended this sacred meal their sin and their need for His when He had given thanks He gave it to bring only blessing to those who forgiveness. When the Church says to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, partake, Paul’s words make it clear to such people, “Do not commune,” for this is My blood of the covenant, that this Sacrament, if misused, it speaks in love. It seeks to keep which is poured out for many for the can be spiritually harmful. In love, them from possible harm, and forgiveness of sins.’ ” (Matthew therefore, he urges us to examine it seeks to lead them to receive 26:26–28) (see also Mark 14:22–24; ourselves before approaching the the body and blood in a way that Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians Lord’s Table. We examine ourselves by blesses them. 11:23–26) The words for the asking questions: (1) Are we sorry for forgiveness of sins make it clear that our sins (Psalms 38:18; 2 Corinthians Christ instituted this sacred meal of 7:10)? (2) Do we trust in Jesus Christ His body and blood for sinners who as our Savior from sin (2 Corinthians need God’s forgiveness. As Luther 13:5)? (3) Do we believe that we says, “These words … show us that receive Jesus’ body and blood in the 1 2 3 God-given responsibility for making The Lord’s Supper: decisions that are faithful to what God’s Word teaches about admission Why Close(d) A Proclamation to the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians of the Gospel 4:1–2; 11:23). Communion? St. Paul says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you Why Close(d) proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Each Communion? time we gather together at the Lord’s So … why do we practice close(d) Table we “preach” the Gospel together. Communion? Because Scripture We profess to the world “the Lord’s teaches us death,” that Jesus shed His blood for • To welcome to the Sacrament all the forgiveness of our sin. It would those who are properly prepared; not be honest or helpful, therefore, to commune with those who do not share • To hold in high esteem this sacred the same confession of faith, since we meal for sinners; do not want to say one thing with our • To examine ourselves before words and another with our actions. partaking of Jesus’ body and blood; • To recognize the Lord’s Supper as a Caring for Those proclamation of the Gospel; Who Commune • To show Christ’s love and concern Church membership should never be for all who desire to commune. the only consideration in determining who should commune. Missouri Synod congregations usually issue a general invitation to the Lord’s Supper to members of congregations that are in church fellowship with our Synod. It is important to recognize, however, that the scriptural practice of close(d) CONCORDIA Communion includes the necessity TRACTS of exercising pastoral care © 2004 CPH 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue in special cases and unusual Saint Louis, Missouri 63118-3968 circumstances. Visitors desiring to Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, receive Communion are encouraged English Standard Version®. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of to speak with the pastor, because he Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois. (along with the congregation and the Used by permission. All rights reserved Printed in USA individual communicant) shares a 10-1672 9 780570 049074 Cover art by CPH 4.
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