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Altar Call
Are altar calls supported by Scripture?
Are altar calls a good thing or bad thing? Explain.
What has been your experience?
Lord Bless,
LT
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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Too many questions bro hahaahaha so I am force to do this in parts. Here is Part one.
We are under divine command to call “all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
The altar call is a custom practice in almost all Christian churches. Usually following the sermon the preacher calls those in the audience that are not born again to come to the altar and repent of their sins and make a public decision to "accept Christ." Some churches have assigned members as counselors who guide the people in the prayer, and so on. They may be taken to a private room, or they may kneel together while the congregation is singing or praying. The pastor also makes another invitation for those who are "back sliders" and want to be restore as well as a third call for anyone wanting to come to that altar and seek the Lord for whatever is pressing in their hearts.
The practice, although widespread, is a very new phenomenon in the Christian church. Well known evangelists as George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and even John Wesley did not practice it. Charles Spurgeon, that passionate winner of souls, although well acquainted with the practice, firmly refused to adopt it.
We do see Jesus and the apostles "inviting" men and women to Christ and to be saved, but never by means of this particular method. "Invitations" they give, to be sure! But not altar calls. Now this may not prove that the altar call is wrong, but it surely demonstrates that the non-practice of the altar call is not wrong. It is not a question of Biblical necessity but of modern custom and convenience. A church which refuses the practice can never be criticized for that refusal.
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Permalink Reply by Rodney M Hall on
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I am really glad to see this question because I have often thought of it. In the Church that I was raised in, alter calls were reserved for church camp and maybe a revival. But it was never done on a regular Sunday service. But since leaving that denomination I have been to about every kind of church imaginable. Some of the churches offered the alter every service while others did not.
But now that I have had the experiences that I have, these thoughts come to mind. My first thought is that the churches without the alter call seem to lack something. And that may be a result of what David was talking about in regards to making a public statement. An example might be that it makes it easier for a person to ignore sin or the need to "Make a Stand" without an alter call. And maybe this can be the cause of what is lacking; the people aren't dealing with their sin...
Now on the other hand, I remember the first time that I was at a church that had an alter call. To me it felt like the preacher was pressuring people to come forward. Like maybe he had a quota to fill. And when people go forward for that reason, then the result may not be real or long lasting.
So in my opinion, I think that it is a good thing and can be a great help to every one if it is done with with a humble and loving offer.
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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on
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When I came back to the Lord 20 years ago, I counted the alter call that I answered as my public agreement with God that I would follow Him. A contract signed in front of hundreds of people. It was an amazing experience to me, and it was a contract not to be broken. I used it as a starting point for me, a place to start getting my life on track.
I have however, as with most things, seen it abused, but I think it is necessary to make a public stand for Christ. That stand isn't necessary for God, but God knows it's necessary for us.
It shows us that we have made a public agreement with God, and it helps us to hang on when we don't understand what the next thing is. It is spiritually strengthening to all who would be saved to say publicly, "I have decided to follow Christ." It is a boost in showing ourselves that we have made a life changing commitment.
So I have to say that it is necessary to have alter calls, and that it is biblical because of the public display in accepting Christ.
One call that I don't respond to is a call of rededication. I have adverse feelings towards that call and wonder how biblical it is. I have seen the same persons rededicating themselves to the Lord, whenever that call is made. I wonder how right the rededication call is, because...from my point of view I dedicated myself to the Lord 20 years ago. I have striven to do what is right and been growing the entire time. I know that God knows where I have succeeded and where I have failed. I have done nothing to show that I have turned from the Lord. Yes, I have sinned, as all children sin. I have disobeyed where all disobey. I have repented where I needed to repent and I have asked forgiveness where I needed to ask forgiveness and I have kept on growing. And pray I will continue to grow as long as I have breath and beyond.
To me, a call of rededication would be to someone to return to the Lord. That seems like it is crucifying Christ again. Do I misunderstand what rededication is?
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To me, rededication is for someone that has stepped away from God in a way that they have to make a decision. Are they going to follow Christ, or are they going to continue to follow the world? I have heard the comment before "crucifying Christ again" since I have been on this sight, but not before, so I'll be honest and say that I really don't understand exactly what that means or if it is even possible. So if someone can fill me in on that I would appreciate it. Because I think we can all agree, that is something that we do not want to do.
Now As far as the alter call being abused, I would have to say that I agree, especially where the rededication call is concerned. But I don't think that the fault is totally that of the one making the call. I think that part of the responsibility goes to the individual. The individual that I am referring to is the one that goes forward every time there is that call. The reason that this concerns me is because I am afraid that the person is not fully understanding how God works. Such as that once a sin is forgiven, its forgotten.
Now as far as my opening statement, rededication is for someone that has stepped away from God could bring up another potentially touchy subject. That being, Once saved always saved. For those that believe that, there may be no need to rededicate; where as others that believe that you can fall from Grace might believe that it is needed,
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Hebrew 6:6 is the verse that starts off the mention of it. I have to agree with what you are saying also. I agree that it is a touchy subject but i also think it is a subject that we all need to understand as best we can.
One commentary states that it is an area of 4 different opinions but that the one it follows is that a person can particiipate in heavenly gifts and still walk away. Best to read it for yourself. The two commentaries that I checked is Bible Knowledge Commentary on Hebrews 6:6 and Matt Henry. I think that both are good commentaries but you might have another that you prefer. When you get your ideas, please share with me.
That's kinda the way I think on the rededication thing. If a person is saved I don't think they lose their salvation but I do think that a person can participate and still not be saved. They acknowledge Who Christ is but they don't accept Him as Savior. After all, Satan and his demons knows Who Chist is but they certainly can't be saved.
Blessings!
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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Rita,
I appreciate your input, as well as everyone else's. I have a question followed by a comment.
So I have to say that it is necessary to have alter calls, and that it is biblical because of the public display in accepting Christ.
What is one of the purposes of baptism? Is it not making a public proclamation of one's faith? Has the altar call in many instances replaced the need for baptism in churches today? If we look at the statistics we will see in the vast majority of churches that the professions of faith out number the baptisms by at least 3 to 1.
Food for thought.
Lord Bless,
LT
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LT,
I would have to say that the follow up on new Christians is lacking in many conversions and that perhaps the pastor of a particular group is offering to accept the converted and not speaking of baptism except when it is "convenient" for the baptism to be performed. Therefore, it is swept aside.
Water baptism, in my humble opinion, is an important part of conversion but others may not view it as I do. From my personal experience, it was a kind of sealing of my faith. It is the obeying of a command, so to speak.
For one who comes to the alter or is baptised, the key is follow up.
On man I can think of that answered an alter call, was using it as a way to convince other people that he had changed his ways. It didn't take long to see that he was trying to kid others as well as himself.
I would think that there is a great deal of work to being a pastor and one of the things would be to help new converts to get their Christian "legs" and get started on the right path.
In considering Paul, one can see through his writings, that he kept on serving in his capacity as "pastor" even when he was far away from them. He kept up with them and kept instructing them even as he traveled to pastor others.
Many pastors today are looking at the numbers of converts not at the quality of their conversion. In all the churches I have attended, only two pastors bothered to check on me at any time to see how I way fairing if I failed to attend church.
Many pastors leave that to others in the church, but I think that there is a need for the pastor to try to look after them too. The new convert might be saying to himself, "Am I alone in my trust in the Lord?"
To conclude I would have to say that in some instances, we fail to see that the converts have proper followup for the million or so questions that they might have. Therefore, I don't think it's the alter call that fails, but the failing of the leaders to keep up with the newly converted.
A number of years ago, I taught adult Bible study which the pastor attended. For every time I taught something, he hit the opposite side, criticizing all that I taught. It was as though he was trying to undermind my words, regardless of their accuracy. I finally let him take over the class and now there is no Bible study.
Pastors have a lot of responsibility, and the greatest job is sheparding their conversions.
Blessings,
Rita
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Rita,
Thank you for your input and what I believe to be insightful words.
Lord Bless,
LT
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Greetings all,
I have a number of questions and concerns regarding this practice. I am not against it, at least at this point, but am investigating the subject looking for clear understanding.
The first thing to note is that this practice is not found in the Bible, at least not as seen in churches today. The current practice sprung up in the 1800s and was propelled by Charles Finney and his use of a bench for sinners to sit in.
There is no doubt many have had positive experinces associated with the altar call. We also know that many have been fooled into believing they accepted Christ through the altar call because they walked the aisle and said a prayer.
More input desired.
Lord Bless,
LT
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From : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altar_call
An altar call is a practice in some evangelical churches in which those who wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ are invited to come forward publicly. It is so named because the supplicants gather at the altar located at the front of the church.
Most altar calls occur at the end of an evangelical address. The invitation may be referred to as an "altar call" even if there is no actual altar present. Many preachers make use of the altar call, notably Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Reinhardt Bonnke, Lefty Pacaricas and so on. Congregations often sing a hymn, usually with a theme of invitation or decision, during the altar call. Persons who come forward often are asked to recite a sinner's prayer, thereby making a confession of their new faith. They may also be offered literature or counseling and other assistance in their new faith.
It is sometimes said that those who come forth are going to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. This is a ritual in which the supplicant makes a prayer asking for his sins to be forgiven, acknowledges Jesus as the risen Son of God and pledges his/her devotion to Jesus and to live thereafter following Christ's teachings. This is often called being born again.
Altar calls may also invite Christians to come forward for specific purposes other than conversion; for example to rededicate their lives after a lapse, to request publicly to be baptized, to receive a particular blessing (such as the baptism of the Holy Spirit), to become a member of that particular church or to acknowledge feeling called to certain tasks such as missionary work.
The altar call had its beginnings in the efforts of nineteenth century American evangelist Charles Grandison Finney. Many churches, especially those that practice evangelical Christianity, believe that one must make a public proclamation of faith based on scriptural passages found in the Bible in which Jesus states, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
Other churches object to the use of the altar call for a variety of reasons. Some argue that there is no example in the Bible of its use. Others believe it is intimidating and therefore creates an unnecessary and artificial barrier to those who would become Christians but are then unwilling to make an immediate public profession under the gaze of others.
Many Calvinists object to altar calls, believing they mislead people into confusing outward conduct with spiritual change. In doing so, they argue, altar calls may actually give people false assurance about their salvation (1).
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Permalink Reply by Theresa on
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LT,
Are altar calls what I see in Billy Graham crusade and so many like him? If that is what you mean, then I am fully for it. I know of some Christians who will argue and believe that many of these people that go forward are not really saved because they did not get baptized in water or speak in tongues, what I see when I see them go forward is a humble and contrite spirit before the Lord, broken people coming up to the alter because they heard the good news and responded in faith , Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
As Mark 4:8 tells us that some seed fell on good ground and yielded 30, 60 and 100 fold while others did not. Alter calls are very important in my opinion and it make me happy to see so many people respond to the Gospel at one time, I think every church should have that and pray seriously about it before they ask people to come up, it is not a show, it is beautiful.
My experience, when I first got saved, my Pastor asked if any of us would like to speak in tongues, to come forth to the alter and I did. After that, when doubts came to attack me that what I have is not real, the Holy Spirit would remind me of my Pastor affirmation at the time, that what I had is real, praise God. I believe there is power in agreement and when you confess Jesus privately as well as publicly, there is power in that.
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Amen sister Theresa.
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