The Lord’s Supper: Open, Close, or Closed? (03/16/2025)

As you have seen in the bulletin, we will be observing the Lord’s Supper this coming Wednesday night at the conclusion of the service.

Back in December, I preached this message.

This morning, I just want to quickly remind you of some of the points of that message.

There are typically three ways in which we speak of the Lord’s Supper being practiced (or by whom it should be practiced): Open, Close, or Closed.

Open: When a church invites professing believers in Christ to the Lord’s Supper regardless of when and how they were baptized or regardless of the church they identify with or regardless of whether they identify with a local church at all, this church is practicing open communion.

Close: When the church invites believers from other churches who are saved, scripturally immersed, and living in fellowship with God to their observance of the Lord’s Supper.

However, if someone is visiting SCBC from another church when we have the Lord’s Supper.

How do I know what church they are a member of?

How do I know that they are even a member of a local church? Maybe they do not believe in being a member of a local church instead believing that it is sufficient to be a member of the “universal” church?

How do I know that they are saved?

How do I know that they have been scripturally baptized?

How do I know that they are living in fellowship with God?

Some may respond, “Well, that’s none of your business. You should just take their word for it?”

However, if the ordinances are as important and serious of a matter as I believe them to be, then I believe that the answers to those questions are somewhat my business. (And those are questions that generally are answered when the individual goes through the process of church membership.)

For the past 25 years, South Charlotte Baptist Church has practiced “close” communion.

However, after study and prayer, I believe that we should begin to practice “closed” communion.

Closed: Closed communion limits participation at the Lord’s Table to those who are members in good standing of their own local church.

As I stated in my original message, I don’t believe that, in the Bible, there is no specific command whether to practice the Lord’s Supper in either a Close or Closed fashion.

However, I have come to the conclusion that South Charlotte Baptist Church should practice the Lord’s Supper in a closed manner by allowing only those who are members of SCBC in good standing to participate.

In my message, back in December, I gave two reasons for why I have come to that conclusion.

Reason #1: Because of the Importance & Meaning of the Lord’s Supper

To protect the Gospel, we need to protect the ordinances.

Now, notice the importance that Paul places upon the Lord’s Supper:

1 Corinthians 11:28–31 (KJV 1900)

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The Lord’s Supper is serious business and it is important enough for us to give serious consideration to who we allow to participate in the Lord’s Supper.

Reason #2: Because of the Importance of Protecting this Local Church

Acts 20:28–30 KJV 1900

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

If you combine the religious diversity of Charlotte, along with the seriousness of the Lord’s Supper, and the need to protect our local church, I trust that you can begin to understand why it is important for us to observe the Lord’s Supper in a closed manner.

In making this change (to “closed” communion), it is in no way my desire to exclude any or to unnecessarily make people feel uncomfortable or left out in any way.

As pastor, it is simply my desire to help protect the importance of the Lord’s Supper and to protect the integrity and unity of this local church.