Many Christian parents wonder whether their unbaptized children should participate in foot washing and the Lord’s Supper. Children see their parents washing one another’s feet, eating the bread, and drinking the grape juice. Naturally, they want to participate as well.
The Bible does not contain one verse that directly says, “Unbaptized children must not participate in Communion.” Therefore, this teaching should not be made a dogma, a test of fellowship, or a matter of salvation. However, when we study the biblical meaning of baptism, foot washing, and the Lord’s Supper, a meaningful order appears. Baptism marks the believer’s public beginning with Christ, while Communion renews and strengthens that relationship. For this reason, it is recommended that children be baptized before participating in Communion.
Baptism Comes Before Communion
Baptism represents the beginning of the Christian life. Through baptism, a person publicly declares faith in Jesus, turns away from the old life of sin, and enters the fellowship of believers.
Paul writes:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3
He continues:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Baptism represents death to the old life, burial with Christ, and resurrection to a new life. It is a public declaration that Jesus Christ has been accepted as Savior and Lord.
Foot Washing Points Back to Baptism
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Peter first resisted Him. Then, when Jesus explained that the washing was necessary, Peter asked for his hands and head to be washed as well.
Jesus replied:
“He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.” John 13:10
Jesus spoke of two kinds of washing. A person who had already bathed did not need another complete bath. Only the feet, which had become dusty during the journey, needed to be washed.
In its spiritual meaning, the complete washing points to baptism. Foot washing does not replace baptism; it renews the cleansing and humility represented by baptism. This is why foot washing has sometimes been called a “miniature baptism.”
At baptism, the whole person is immersed in water, representing complete surrender and cleansing in Christ. During foot washing, baptized believers recognize that they still make mistakes and need Christ’s continuing grace. They humble themselves, seek reconciliation, and renew their commitment to Jesus.
It is therefore reasonable that the full washing of baptism should come before the repeated washing of the feet.
Communion Is a Service for Believers
The Lord’s Supper was given to those who had accepted Christ. It is not merely a family meal or a church refreshment. It is a public confession of faith in the death of Jesus.
Paul writes:
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16
When believers eat the bread and drink the grape juice, they declare that their hope of salvation rests entirely upon Christ’s broken body and shed blood.
Communion also expresses unity with the body of Christ:
“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” 1 Corinthians 10:17
Those who participate are declaring their faith in Jesus and their fellowship with His spiritual body, the church. Baptism is the public act by which believers enter that fellowship.
Communion Requires Understanding
Jesus said:
“This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
To remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper requires some understanding of what the symbols mean. The bread represents His body, which was given for us. The grape juice represents His blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins.
A child may see the bread and grape juice and naturally want to taste them. However, Communion is not about eating and drinking. It is about remembering Christ’s sacrifice, examining the heart, confessing sin, receiving His grace, and renewing our commitment to Him.
A child who understands these truths and has personally accepted Jesus should be prepared for baptism. After baptism, the child can participate in Communion with a clearer understanding of its sacred meaning.
“Let a Man Examine Himself”
Paul gives this instruction:
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28
Self-examination requires spiritual understanding. Before participating, believers should examine their relationship with God and others. They should confess known sin, seek reconciliation, and come to the Lord’s table with humility and faith.
Paul also warns:
“Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 11:27
The word “unworthily” does not mean that only perfect people may participate. None of us is personally worthy of God’s grace. Paul was speaking about participating in an unworthy or careless manner.
Some Corinthian believers had turned the sacred service into an occasion of selfishness, division, overeating, and drunkenness. They failed to recognize the spiritual meaning of Christ’s body and blood.
Children should therefore be taught that Communion is not an ordinary meal. It is a sacred service that requires faith, understanding, reverence, and self-examination.
Open Communion and Personal Commitment
Seventh-day Adventists practice open Communion. This means that a believing Christian from another denomination does not have to become a Seventh-day Adventist member before participating. All Christians who have committed their lives to Jesus are welcome at the Lord’s table.
Open Communion does not mean that the service has no spiritual meaning or that personal commitment is unnecessary. It remains a service for those who have accepted Jesus and understand the meaning of His death.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual states:
All who have committed their lives to the Savior may participate. Children learn the significance of the service by observing others participating. After receiving formal instruction in baptismal classes and making their commitment to Jesus in baptism, they are thereby prepared to partake in the service themselves.” — Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 2022 ed., p. 137.
This is a recommended church practice based upon the relationship between baptism and Communion. It should not be presented as though participation before baptism is an unforgivable sin or a matter that determines salvation.
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through baptism or Communion:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
The ordinances do not save us. They express, illustrate, and strengthen our faith in the Christ who saves.
Christ’s Example Forbids Harsh Exclusion
Jesus knew the hearts of all His disciples, including Judas. Yet He washed their feet and appealed to them through His love and humility.
The pen of inspiration says:
“Christ’s example forbids exclusiveness at the Lord’s Supper.” The Desire of Ages, p. 656
This means that we should not exclude professing believers because we suspect that they may be spiritually weak, struggling, or insincere. We cannot read another person’s heart. Communion itself may become an occasion for conviction, repentance, and spiritual renewal.
At the same time, open Communion does not mean that instruction is unnecessary. The church should lovingly teach the meaning of the service and encourage believers to follow the biblical order of faith, baptism, and continued fellowship.
The issue should be handled with grace, not condemnation. If an unbaptized child has participated without fully understanding the church’s practice, the child should not be frightened or made to feel guilty. Parents and church leaders should gently explain the meaning of Communion and guide the child toward a personal decision for Christ and baptism.
Children Are Part of God’s Family
Asking unbaptized children to wait does not mean that they are unimportant, unsaved, or outside God’s love. Jesus warmly welcomed children:
“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Children should never be made to feel that Jesus does not love them because they have not yet been baptized. They are precious members of the church family and should be included in worship, prayer, Bible study, service, and fellowship.
The period of waiting can become a time of spiritual growth. Parents can explain the symbols, answer questions, and help their children develop a personal relationship with Jesus. Waiting may also deepen the child’s anticipation of the day when he or she can make a public commitment through baptism and then participate fully in Communion.
Making Communion Meaningful for Children
Children should not be ignored during the Communion service. Parents and church leaders should explain beforehand what will happen and why. They can tell the story of the Last Supper, explain the basin and towel, and show how the bread and grape juice point to Jesus.
Children may watch their parents participate and listen carefully to the prayers and Scripture readings. In some places, parents may give young children a few grapes when the grape juice is served, making it clear that these are not the Communion emblems. This helps children feel included while preserving the special meaning of the ordinance.
Parents should not pressure children into baptism merely so they can participate in Communion. Baptism must follow personal faith, repentance, instruction, and a willing decision to follow Jesus. At the same time, baptism should not be unnecessarily delayed when a child understands the gospel, loves Jesus, and desires to commit his or her life to Him.
Conclusion
Should unbaptized children participate in Communion? The Bible does not give a direct command, so this should not be made a dogma, a test of fellowship, or a salvation issue. Nevertheless, the biblical order of baptism followed by fellowship and the breaking of bread makes waiting until baptism a wise and recommended practice.
Children should be lovingly instructed, warmly included, and encouraged to look forward to making their own commitment to Jesus. After baptism, they may join the church family at the Lord’s table with understanding, faith, reverence, and joy.
