Basics of The Lord's Supper; a start

 Understanding Communion Practices: Open, Closed, and Close

The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, or Eucharist has many debates but remember one thing before getting offended, the taking of the Lord’s Supper does not save anyone, as a few believe. So first we will tell you the three denominational accepted ways to participate.

Second special note is the fact that there are only Two Ordinances in scripture; Lord’s Supper and Baptism.  

The practice of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, serves as a central liturgical act in Christian worship, yet the criteria for participation vary significantly across denominations. These distinctions—open, closed, and close communion—reflect differing theological interpretations of church authority, the nature of the ordinance, and the requirements for fellowship.

Open Communion

Open communion is defined by an inclusive approach where any individual who professes faith in Jesus Christ is invited to participate, regardless of their denominational affiliation or local church membership. Proponents of this view often point to the universal nature of Christ’s sacrifice and the biblical mandate to "do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19, KJV). The theological emphasis here is on the table belonging to the Lord, rather than to a specific denomination, suggesting that the invitation is extended by Christ to all His followers. Note that the only problem with this is the one coming up for Communion and saying they believe in Christ, when there is no proof other than the word coming out of their mouth, and even with this the counter argument is they will answer to God if they lie. 

 Closed Communion

Closed communion, by contrast, restricts participation strictly to the members of the local congregation who are in good standing. This practice is often rooted in the concept of "fencing the table," a tradition intended to ensure that those partaking are not only believers but are also in doctrinal agreement and under the pastoral oversight of that specific church. Supporters argue that the church has a responsibility to protect the sanctity of the ordinance and to ensure that participants are not partaking in an "unworthy manner" (1 Corinthians 11:27, KJV), which they interpret as requiring a shared confession of faith and submission to the church's discipline. In a closed Communion the local congregation all know one another, and they see all, or part, of that person’s life and know to some degree if they truly believe, or not. In an open Communion, a Hindu from India might walk in and take Communion with this church where all believe in one way, and this is the rub so to speak.

Close Communion

Close communion serves as a middle ground, (compromise) allowing members of other congregations—provided they belong to the same denomination or share a specific level of doctrinal unity—to participate. This practice acknowledges a broader fellowship than the local church while maintaining boundaries based on confessional or denominational alignment. It is common among groups that emphasize the importance of "communion" as a sign of unity in both faith and practice. This sounds like the best choice, and I too, fell for its acceptance of other like minded believers, until I realized the danger of compromise of knowing if this person was truly a Christian or not, it does make a difference when several verse such as: "Do this in remembrance of me" is a key phrase from Jesus during the Last Supper, found in Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24–25. Jesus says this while breaking bread and sharing wine to establish communion, directing followers to memorialize his broken body and shed blood (the new covenant). When Jesus asked His Disciples to make ready the meal and we find this where Jesus instructs his disciples (specifically Peter and John) to make preparations for the Passover meal, known as the Last Supper. This account is found in Luke 22:7–13 (and parallel passages in Matthew and Mark), where he tells them to find a specific upper room in Jerusalem. Jesus has this meal with His then church/congregation of the 12 and no one else, no outsider was invited, the reason why Divinci’s portrait of the Last Supper only has Jesus and the 12.

Biblical Perspectives

The primary biblical text cited in these debates is 1 Corinthians 11:17–34. Those favoring open communion emphasize the individual’s responsibility to "examine himself" (1 Corinthians 11:28, KJV) as the sole prerequisite for participation. Conversely, those favoring closed or close communion emphasize the communal aspect of the body of Christ, arguing that the church must exercise discernment to maintain the purity of the ordinance and the unity of the faith. While the King James Bible provides the mandate for the ordinance, the application of these boundaries remains a point of significant theological divergence across historical Christian traditions. 

I would how ever add that when I take the Lord’s Supper and it commands you to examine yourself to see if you are worthy; I always almost stop for I very seldom truly feel worthy. We should feel unworthy in the eyes of God, but then we should come humbly and with a repentant heart knowing Jesus has made us worthy if we truly know Him.

The Bible is full of verse that say all of us are saved by the Grace of God through the life, actions, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. There is no coming to God the Father except by Jesus Christ as said in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” 

The next critical thing one must learn that very few denominations teach is Church, or Congregation, Discipline. Usually this is the reason for compromise within many denominations, they want number, converts, but they don’t want to have to discipline their behavior either.