To participate in the Lord's Supper without proper reverence for the Lord—whose suffering and sacrifice are being commemorated-is to partake in an "unworthy manner." In 1 Corinthians 11:27, this phrase refers to the inappropriate behavior described in 1 Corinthians 11:20-22 and 11:29-30. The Communion Supper is for believing Christians, those who have made a full commitment to Christ and are willing to serve one another in love, without partiality or bias. Those who participate forgive those who have wronged them, even as God has forgiven them. Paul counsels the believer to “examine himself” before participating in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). Thus, before the service, believers should prayerfully review their Christian experience, confessing their sins and restoring severed relationships. JTL26 9.1
The Seventh-day Adventist church practices “open communion,” meaning all who have accepted Christ through faith in His sacrifice can take part in the Lord’s Supper. Since only God can read hearts, everyone must evaluate for themselves whether they should participate in the Lord’s Supper, while remembering that “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, 9). JTL26 9.2