The Bible provides guidance on who should participate in communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about who can take communion:
Baptized Believers
According to Scripture, communion is intended for baptized believers in Jesus Christ. In Acts 2:41-42, after people repented and were baptized, they then continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The Lord’s Supper was observed by the early church after people were baptized into the faith.
The implication seems to be that the communion elements of bread and wine are reserved for those who are baptized followers of Jesus. Some denominations require confirmation or profession of faith prior to first communion. The baptism requirement comes from the biblical pattern of first becoming a believer through baptism, and then partaking of communion.
Self-Examination
In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, Paul wrote that 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. He told the Corinthian church to examine themselves before participating in communion, to avoid this. There is a solemnity required in preparing one’s heart before taking communion.
Based on these verses, many Christians advocate that communion should only be taken by baptized believers who have properly prepared themselves through self-examination, confession of sin, repentance, etc. If not taken in the right manner, communion could do more harm than good.
Unity of Believers
Since communion involves sharing together in the body and blood of Christ, unity appears to be an important requirement according to Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul wrote that the bread and cup signify participation in the body and blood of Christ, and that all partakers are one body. Disunity in the Corinthian church was one reason leading to their improper observance of communion.
The concept of unity seems to suggest that communion should involve a gathering of believers who are like-minded in their walk of faith. Most churches practice “closed communion” for this reason, restricting it to their particular denomination or congregation.
Children
Many churches have specific age requirements before allowing children to take communion. This relates to the baptism and self-examination prerequisites. Since both baptism and communion are outward signs of an inward faith, it is believed that a certain age of understanding is required to participate in either. However, there are no explicit biblical age limits given.
In 1 Corinthians 11:28, Paul instructed that a person should examine themselves before taking communion. Implicit here is the ability for self-reflection and spiritual discernment, which would preclude very young children from participating.
Non-Christians
Since communion is intended as an ordinance for the church, the New Testament does not provide any instances of non-believers partaking in it. The description of communion as a “participation” in Christ’s body and blood (1 Cor. 10:16) implies that it is for those who are already believers in Christ.
For these reasons, most churches hold that communion is reserved only for those who are already followers of Jesus Christ. Some churches even restrict it to only members of their particular congregation or denomination.
Unrepentant Believers
Based on 1 Corinthians 11:27, it appears that Christians who partake in communion in an unworthy manner are guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Paul chastised the Corinthians for improperly observing the Lord’s Supper by letting divisions and drunkenness pervade their gatherings.
His solution was that each person must examine themselves beforehand, and otherwise eat at home (1 Cor. 11:28). The implication is that believers who have unconfessed sin or are under church discipline should refrain from communion until repentance occurs.
Common Views
Based on these biblical understandings, here are some common practices among churches today regarding who can take communion:
- Catholic Church – Generally open communion to all baptized Christians.
- Orthodox Church – Only practicing Orthodox Christians may partake.
- Lutheran – Communion is open to all baptized believers who affirm the real presence of Christ in the elements.
- Presbyterian – Communion is open to all who have been baptized and publicly professed their faith in Jesus Christ.
- Baptist – Communion practices vary widely, but it is often restricted to only members of the local congregation.
- Non-denominational – Requirements vary by church, ranging from open to closed communion.
In summary, the Bible lays out baptism, self-examination, unity, and repentance from sin as prerequisites for properly partaking in communion. Exact age requirements are not given. While communion appears to be reserved for baptized believers, specific practices vary across denominations based on their interpretation of these biblical factors.
Key Biblical Principles for Taking Communion
When interpreting all of the biblical passages regarding communion, there are some key principles that emerge:
- Communion is primarily intended for those who are already baptized followers of Jesus Christ.
- Participants should examine their hearts and repent of any known sin prior to taking communion.
- Taking communion should be done in a manner of unity and respect for the body of Christ.
- The proper attitude is critical – communion should not be taken flippantly or in a state of unrepentance.
- Churches have latitude to determine age requirements and any restrictions based on these biblical principles.
While the Bible does not give universal regulations, these guidelines provide a framework for deciding who should take communion. The overarching emphasis is that the Lord’s Supper must be treated with reverence and discernment, as professing believers join in remembering Christ’s sacrificial death.
Communion Practices in the Early Church
In the early post-New Testament church, writings from church fathers help shed light on communion practices among Christians meeting in their homes:
- Justin Martyr (100–165 CE) described weekly observance of communion during Sunday worship gatherings.
- Communion was confined to baptized believers, with catechumens dismissed prior to the Eucharist.
- Deacons typically distributed the elements to attendees, a forerunner to priests.
- Non-Christians and even baptized members under church discipline were excluded from partaking.
- There are no specific references to children taking communion.
While home communion gatherings were informal, the overall principle was restricting communion to those properly initiated into the faith through baptism. There was also concern over the proper attitude in taking communion, leading to exclusion of those under discipline.
Who Can Officiate Communion?
In addition to who can partake of communion, churches also establish policy on who can actually lead and officiate a communion service. Here are some common approaches:
- Catholic Church – Normally a priest officiates communion. In some cases, a deacon or designated layperson can distribute communion when no priest is available.
- Orthodox Church – Normally a priest or bishop leads an Orthodox communion liturgy.
- Lutheran – Pastors typically officiate, but lay leaders can also lead communion in certain circumstances.
- Presbyterian – Teaching elders (ordained ministers) administer communion. Ruling elders can distribute elements but not consecrate them.
- Baptist – The pastor typically officiates, but any believer can preside over a Baptist communion service.
- Non-denominational – Varies, but often pastors and elders officiate communion.
Officiating communion involves oversight of the communion liturgy, prayers of consecration over the elements, and/or administration of the elements to the congregation. Exact requirements differ between churches.
Frequency of Communion
In addition to who can take communion, the Bible does not prescribe how often it should be observed. Here are some of the major viewpoints on communion frequency:
- Weekly – Many churches practice weekly communion in Sunday worship based on the example of the early church in Acts 2:42, 46.
- Monthly – Common practice is to observe communion once a month, often on the first Sunday service.
- Quarterly – Some churches take communion once a quarter, four times per year.
- Annually – A few denominations practice communion once a year, such as during Passover or Easter.
The weekly communion example of the Jerusalem church offers strong biblical support for more frequent observance. But there is room for liberty based on church policy, context, and local needs.
Passover Connection
Since Jesus instituted communion during a Passover meal with his disciples (Luke 22:14-23), there is a clear association between communion and the Passover celebration. Some implications include:
- Communion is tied directly to Christ’s sacrificial death, just as Passover commemorates Israel’s deliverance by the blood of the lamb.
- Taking communion is “proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes,” according to 1 Corinthians 11:26. This relates to Passover’s role in telling the story of redemption.
- Paul references “Christ, our Passover lamb” in 1 Corinthians 5:7, further connecting communion with Passover themes.
The Passover echoes provide deeper meaning to the purpose of communion for New Testament believers in Christ. Just as Passover commemorates God’s mighty works in history, communion commemorates Christ’s atoning work for us.
Online Communion Controversy
The COVID-19 pandemic led some churches to practice online communion using digital elements like juice and bread in each household. This sparked debate about whether communion can be valid if not taken corporately.
Here are some considerations that framed this issue theologically:
- Is taking digital emblems online a faithful representation of the bread and wine?
- Does the lack of gathered assembly negate the meaning and purpose of communion?
- Can consecration of the elements occur remotely over the internet?
- Does this alter the sacredness and solemnity of the traditional communion ceremony?
These questions arise from communion’s status as a church ordinance with corporate participation. There were reasonable arguments on both sides – neither strictly invalidating or validating the concept of online communion.
It surfaced helpful dialogue about the theology and meaning behind communion practices in exceptional circumstances. But most churches saw it as temporary adaptation, not an exact replacement for in-person communion gathering.
Common Objections to Open vs. Closed Communion
Churches taking different approaches to communion eligibility —open versus closed—often raise theological objections to the opposing view:
Objections to Open Communion
- It negates the idea of communion as a church ordinance for believers.
- It diminishes the concept of examination and repentance emphasized by Paul.
- It disregards Jesus’ intended symbolism directed to his disciples in the Upper Room.
- It undermines the principles of unity, accountability, and discipline within a defined fellowship of believers.
Objections to Closed Communion
- It promotes divisiveness and exclusion among believers.
- It lacks hospitality toward visitors and Christians from different backgrounds.
- It places restrictions beyond what Scripture explicitly prescribes.
- It potentially encourages spiritual pride and elitism within a congregation or denomination.
As with many theological issues, faithful Christians interpret the bread and boundaries of communion differently. But gracious discussion on these matters can lead to greater understanding of perspectives.
Conclusion
The Bible provides outlines – not rigid regulations – for who can take communion. Key principles include repentance, self-examination, unity of believers, and proper discernment of Christ’s body and blood. Exact requirements vary between denominations and local churches. While communion is primarily intended for baptized followers of Jesus, more specific eligibility differs across traditions. But the overarching biblical model values communion as an act of commemoration and proclamation of Jesus Christ and him crucified.