Communion Practice

This article by Pastor Andrew Preus is fantastic.  It is a beautiful explanation of the practice of closed communion.  Read and share!

Communion Practice: Evangelical or Legalistic, Ecumenical or Sectarian

Here's the introduction from the article:
Closed communion is evangelical and ecumenical. Open communion is legalistic and sectarian.
Closed communion is the practice of communing only those who have been instructed in the pure doctrine of the Scriptures. This doctrine is summarized in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Closed communion is the practice of giving the body and blood of Jesus in the bread and the wine only to those who confess this unadulterated Christian doctrine and have thereby joined themselves to the regular instruction of this pure doctrine at a congregation, which teaches this doctrine.