Church Practices

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Miss Kitty on February 20, 2014 at 12:27pm

ALL I CAN SAY BEFORE I RUN GO PICK REINA UP FROM SCHOOL IS, I LOVE THESE COMMENTS!!!! AND TAMMY I KNOW WHY I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!! THAT GOES FOR THE REST OF YOU ALSO!!! I WILL BE BACK!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 21, 2014 at 8:02am

Love you too girlfriend

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 21, 2014 at 8:04am

I have absolutely no problem with this routine. If this is the way you can draw others to Jesus, then go for it. There is no sinner's prayer per say in the word but as a sinner, we do need to pray for repentance. I do believe many do this out of habit but there are many who do pray this from the heart. There are many ways to lead people to Christ & if the altar calls works, it should be continued for sure.

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 21, 2014 at 8:41pm

I would happen to disagree.  This routine is  not a way to "draw" others to Jesus Christ.  The Bible is clear about how those will come to Christ Jesus & that is through the Gospel, the preaching of.  Tammy, although I love you, there are not many ways to lead people to Christ...and the end result doesn't mean it's successful.  The only way to lead people to Christ, Biblically is:  through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ & Baptism.  I really didn't see another way.  

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 23, 2014 at 12:03pm

Of course salvation is thru repentance. That's a given but He draws many in many different ways is all I'm saying. If the altar calls works & that's what they're comfortable with, go for it. God was the One who created the altar in the first place if my memory serves me correctly.

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 23, 2014 at 12:01pm

But don't you think they hear the gospel before they go to the altar? And I love you as well sis but I think putting God in a box limits the awesomeness of His capabilities. Many get saved at the altar. One of the best pastors I use to know was saved at the altar. Of course, he had to hear the gospel first & it pierced his heart. To say that this cannot be the case is kicking many saints out of heaven. Just like any other thing, emotions can sometimes take over from the truth but to sit back & say "I'm not going to ask anyone if they want the Lord" would be losing many. There are many many ways to draw people to Jesus. Just one's actions can draw them to what He is in you. Doesn't mean they've even hard the gospel yet but may want to know what you have. Certain actions in people can draw them. The Father is The ONE that draws them but He uses many methods.

Permalink Reply by Miss Kitty on February 23, 2014 at 1:43pm

THE LORD CAN WORK IN SOME PRETTY STRANGE WAYS AT TIMES. WHEN HE IS SPEAKINGABOUT A BELEIVER BEING MARRIED TO A UNBELEIVER, ONE THING HE DOES SPEAK ABOUT IS THE WIFE OR HUSBAND OF THE UNBELEIVER; "HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT BY YOUR GODLY ACTIONS THAT YOU MAY WIN HE OR SHE OVER TO GOD?". WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE TO SET GODLY EXAMPLES, AS TAMMY SAYS THEY WILL BE WANTING WHAT YOU' GOT, FOR REAL!!! I AGREE COMPLETELY YOU CANT PUT GOD IN A BOX. I SEE HIM MOVE ON PEOPLE IN SO MANY WAYS, I FEEL HE WINS THEM OVER HOWEVER HE CHOOSES, WHENEVER AND HOWEVER, HE USES IT ALL. GOD BLESS

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 23, 2014 at 4:29pm

You ladies are awesome!  :)

They should hear the Gospel, because that is the way the Bible says we are saved.

I, myself, have been to an altar call, so I understand, but we've got to remember that it's not the physical act of walking down the aisle to the alter that gets us saved.  I think that's where many get confused.  It's hearing the Gospel Message.

I do want to say about the topic...I believe it bothered me because #1 God was put on the back burner in the Pastor's initial statement about making sure he would keep his message short and sweet and assuring us that we would have plenty of time to get to our favorite eating establishment before all the other churches let out.  When everyone around me laughed and a couple shouted Amen, I lost my appetite when he said that...so maybe that's why I've been nitpicky about the "I don't want to embarrass you" , and asking for hands to be raised.  I felt it was dishonoring to God and made me embarrassed to even be seated in that congregation, I wanted to walk out right then and there and didn't...I should have.

For me there is nothing more powerful than a Pastor to be filled with the Spirit of God and preaching that sets the place on fire.  People sitting in those pews won't be sitting there embarrassed, they will either leave because the message was offensive to them or they will stay and cry out to the Lord for forgiveness.  They won't need anyone to coax them, that's what the Spirit of the Lord does.  

We, as the members of Christ body, are there to offer encouragement, guidance, discipleship, and prayers.  We all participate, we all have gifts given to us by the Spirit and those gifts are to be used for the Glory of God to do His will and purpose.

This verse just popped into my head:

1 Corinthians 3:7 --So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Permalink Reply by Leonard T on February 23, 2014 at 5:55pm

They won't need anyone to coax them, that's what the Spirit of the Lord does.  

That is a powerful statement and spot on ... Amen!

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 24, 2014 at 5:09am

I'm sorry John, I was referring to the last two replies before mine, Tammy & Kay. :)

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 24, 2014 at 8:07am

lol Hey, Watch, if you would have walked out then, you would have been the 1st in line. No questions asked.

Permalink Reply by ribbon on March 5, 2014 at 8:48pm

when I went to the alter it was because I wanted prayer. He said those who need prayer or give their to God.

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