Close communion is a religious term used to describe a practice of allowing only baptized members of a specific denomination or church to participate in the sacrament of Communion. The spelling of "close" in this term is pronounced /kləʊs/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "o" sound being a long vowel sound as in "bone". The spelling of "communion" is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnjən/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the emphasis on the second syllable and the "u" sound being a long vowel sound as in "mule".
Close communion is a term primarily used within religious contexts, particularly in relation to Christian denominations, to describe a practice where only baptized and confirmed members of a specific church or denomination are allowed to partake in the sacrament of communion. This concept suggests that the act of receiving the bread and wine, which symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ, is restricted to those who meet specific criteria established by the particular church or denomination.
The practice of close communion is often seen as a means of preserving the integrity and symbolism of communion within a specific religious tradition. It is believed that by limiting the participation in communion to only those who have demonstrated a commitment to the teachings and beliefs of a particular church or denomination, the sanctity of the sacrament is upheld.
Close communion can be viewed as a way for churches to maintain their identity and unity by adhering to shared beliefs and practices. As such, it serves as a form of religious exclusivity and distinguishes a specific denomination's communion practices from those of others.
It is important to note that close communion should not be confused with closed communion, which refers to a more exclusive approach where only members of a particular congregation are permitted to participate in communion, even excluding members of other churches within the same denomination.
The term "close communion" originated in Christian religious practices, particularly within Protestant denominations.
The word "close" in this context refers to the idea of exclusivity or restriction. It implies that only a select group of individuals who share the same beliefs or meet certain specific requirements are allowed to participate in the sacrament of communion.
The word "communion" itself has roots in Latin and Old French. It comes from the Latin word "communio", meaning "sharing" or "participation". In Old French, it evolved into "communion" with a similar meaning.
So, the term "close communion" essentially implies a restricted or exclusive form of participation in the Christian sacrament of communion.