Since Holy Communion is not only a means of grace, assuring us of the forgiveness of our sins and of our fellowship with God, but is also a testimony to our fellowship with one another, we practice "close communion." At times people have questioned this practice.

"Why do you Lutherans practice close communion?" "Isn't communion the Lord's table?" "Who are you to judge?" "Isn't attendance at his table a matter between the individual and the Lord?" "I have been a Lutheran all of my life. Why may I not attend at your church?"

Practicing close communion is not a judgment of an individual's faith, but a loving concern for God's Word and for people whom Christ has redeemed.

With this tract we hope to demonstrate that loving concern both for God's Word and for souls redeemed by Christ.

Concern for God's Word

We will better understand what is meant by "close communion" if we look at communion itself. (The word is "close" as in close friend, not "closed" as in closed door.) What does the Bible, say about communion? Our Lord Jesus Christ "gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body' "(Matthew 26:26).

Communion is the Lord's Supper, not ours. He gave his body and his blood in and with the bread and wine to his disciples. The first Lord's Supper was "close communion" and so were those that followed in early New Testament times.

God's Word says: "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup" (I Corinthians 11:28). Thus he must know God's law and must use it as a mirror so that he fully knows his sinful condition.

God's Word says: "For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29). Thus he must know the gospel and must know and believe that the body and blood are truly present in the sacrament.

God's Word says: "Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (I Corinthians 10:17).

Throughout New Testament times, the connection between doctrine and the Lord's Supper, between church fellowship and altar fellowship, has been inseparable. On this God's Word says: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread [communion], and to prayer" (Acts 2:42).

Finally, the Word of God says: "Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Keep away from them" (Romans 16:17).

In loving concern for God's Word, then, we practice "close communion," participating in this wonderful supper with those who

• know how to examine themselves
• recognize the real presence of Christ's body and blood
• are close to us, that is, one in doctrine.

Since we cannot read or judge hearts, we must make our decisions on the basis of the individual's confession. Thus we repeat, we are not judging the individual's faith, but we do and we must judge the confession of the church body to which he belongs.

Concern for People

We also have a loving concern for our neighbors — those redeemed by Christ.

God's Word says: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself" (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). We do not wish by our carelessness to cause anyone to become "guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. "That happens when he does not recognize the body and blood of the Lord and cannot examine himself.

In the case of a Lutheran from a synod which is not in fellowship with us, we dare not give the impression that we are one when in fact we are not one. Communing together says: "We are one." We dare not give that Lutheran the impression that the false doctrine being taught or tolerated in his synod or the unscriptural practice is in any way pleasing to God.

Close communion speaks in love and acts in loving concern. May this practice strengthen the body of Christ and glorify our Savior. Please feel free to call on our pastor for further information from God's sacred, saving Word.