close communion

religion

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July 17, 2026

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Close communion, also known as closed communion, is a practice within some Christian denominations where the Lord's Supper is restricted to baptized members of that specific denomination or church. This is in contrast to open communion, which is available to all Christians, regardless of their denomination or specific qualifications like baptism by immersion. The core principle of close communion is to limit participation to those who are considered fully within the fellowship of that particular church or denomination.12

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Eucharist
Significance of the Eucharist
…example, the practice of “close communion” has restricted the ordinance to those who are baptized properly—i.e., as adults upon a profession of faith. As a result of such variations, the Eucharist has been a central issue in the discussions and deliberations of the ecumenical movement.
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…example, the practice of “close communion” has restricted the ordinance to those who are baptized properly—i.e., as adults upon a profession of faith. As a result of such variations, the Eucharist has been a central issue in the discussions and deliberations of the ecumenical movement.
Read More