Do this bother you?

havent heard of this. Can you elaborate?

Hi jamantc,

Because someone used it once and others liked it and it became generally accepted. I believe the true motivation behind it is this thinking of men that by asking everyone to bow their head and then asking for a show of hands, those in attendance who haven't received Jesus as their Lord won't be embarrassed. What I've always questioned is why they first ask those who are believers to raise their hands that they are assured of their salvation. I don't personally like the practice.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

They closer there eyes so people won't be embarrassed of there sinfulness which they may already be feeling. It is very hard to walk up to the front of the church. I could not do it but came to Jesus in my bedroom, before I went to sleep.

It is simply done to make it as easy as possible for a person to come to Christ. Marry Madeline came to Christ in private while He was having dinner. What did Jesus say, let her come.

There is nothing wrong with this practice. A person does not come to Jesus roaring like a lion. They come crawling on hands and knees. They are broken and realize they are broken. There is no need to make it hard for them.

I find things wrong with the church today as well, but if your going to point something out point out the broken things, not the acts of mercy which are the heart of The Lord.

jamantc said:

so what I am gathering is that Christ loved a sinner so much that he died the most humiliating death possible publically so that one who claims Him can do so in embarrassment. Christ Himself said if you deny me before men (be embarrassed of me) ...

Click to expand...

Show me the Greek that would allow you to interpret "deny" as "embarrassed"? It isn't that Christ embarrasses sinners, but their sin embarrasses them. It is difficult for one to admit in a crowded room that he/she is a sinner, a bad person, someone who needs love and help in Christ. I'm sure you can understand that, and would endorse any form in which one wants to come to Christ.

When I was convicted of my need for Jesus, the whole congregation disappeared for me. I could hardly wait to get up to the front.

And even today, in a totally different type of congregation, most of us hardly ever close our eyes when we pray... or during invitations. I don't think I have ever heard that expression, "with every head bowed, and every eye closed", at this particular church.

jamantc said:

I stand amazed is all I can say. Onr wasn't embarrassed while doing the sin, so why should he be embarrassed in room full of those who prior did the same things and worse? Gotta love Arminian theology

Click to expand...

So you think I'm an Arminian?

jamantc said:

All my Calvinist friends think one is not embarrassed by public confession.

Click to expand...

My guess would be, then, they've never made one.

jamantc said:

I have never been embarrassed to proclaim I am a sinner in public. As a matter of fact I do it weekly without issue. I have never been embarrassed in public settings for who I am in chrsit. That would beb crazy beyond comprehension

Click to expand...

Some people, initially at any rate, are embarrassed when being confronted for the first time by their sin. I see nothing wrong with being embarrassed by it. Criticizing someone for being embarrassed is pretty legalistic.

I grew up with this in nearly every service, but now the church currently attend doesn't make it so ritualistic. Sometimes eyes are wide open and sometimes we are quiet in prayer. I think you're making a bit more out of this than you should. Bowing your head is a practice of submission and closing your eyes shuts out the visual distractions around you. For those coming forward - it does not necessarily show embarrassment for their submission to Christ, but possibly embarassment over the sins they have committed. Many People coming down are guests or unsure of what they should do and might be doing something bold in a room of strangers. So knowing that people are not watching and judging may make it easier to answer the call. Yes - Christ suffered humiliation willingly and boldly - BECAUSE he is Christ, but we are human and unworthy of the grace afforded by Christ. I would not expect all that are just coming to accept Christ to be so bold. Different people respond differently to the altar call. My son rushed down the aisle when he was ready but my youngest daughter asked me to walk with her when she publicly accepted Christ.

jamantc said:

You may call me lagalisyic if you wish, or anything else for that matyer, but me asking if embarrassment bothere someone is legalistic so be it. I personally have never been embarrassed by who I am in Him because of the public display of openness He set as the example for me. Guess chris Himself was legalistic as well

Click to expand...

I apologize if I offended you. However, I see this discussion is going nowhere, so I will withdraw. God bless you.

jamantc said:

so what I am gathering is that Christ loved a sinner so much that he died the most humiliating death possible publically so that one who claims Him can do so in embarrassment. Christ Himself said if you deny me before men (be embarrassed of me) I will deny you before the Father. You don't have to come to Christ at all n a church or by walking an isle, you come to Christ when the spirit moves you and that may be in private, I have never walked an isle nor do I see the need for me to do so. I was saved in a hospital room. So we can be embarrassed to come to Christ if we do so publically in the church while he was flogged and died publically without embarrassment. I didn't we were called to embarrassment in the Lord

Click to expand...

First off I never said anyone was embarrassed of Jesus. What i did say is people were embarrassed of there own sin and broken state. Like I said people do not come to Jesus roaring like a lion the come crawling on hands and knees.

jamantc said:

In churches all across the world, many sunday morning services close with the same ending: "with every head bowed, and every closed". Why do pastors do this? Did Jesus die with every head bowed and every closed? Did Jesus die in private that our faith may be confessed privately? Jesus died on a cross for all eyes to see, with every head lifted up watching Him. If Jesus death was so public and is preached publically, why then can't preachers call the unrepentant to Christ in full view? The church calls for an ABC style of repentance as though it's some type of formulaic process. The bible says repent and believe the gospel and walk in the works which God has prepared for the believer before the foundation of the world. If Christ died publically, should we not profess Him publically regardless of who is looking?

Click to expand...

Actually, Jesus did die with a lot of eyes closed. To this day the Jews deny Him as Messiah.
Peter WAS embarrassed and denied that he even knew Jesus. - Mark 14:66-72
Judas hung himself - Matthew 27:5
S/Paul killed Christians and was "trembling and astonished" when he first heard Jesus calling - Acts 9:6

To answer your question:

jamantc said:

... On[e] wasn't embarrassed while doing the sin, ...

Click to expand...

You've never been busted in a lie and felt embarrassed?
You've never done something and felt bad upon reflection?
You have never sinned and felt bad?
I have willfully sinned and was embarrassed in the situation, and still sinned anyway. To this day, I feel embarrassed that I was so wrong and so rebellious.

The question, during service, and the command to keep our heads bowed, and eyes closed, isn't because Jesus would be ashamed. He already knows what we did. He knew I was gonna sin before He formed the Universe. It's because we are ashamed of our own sin that we close our eyes and bow our heads. We afford that comfort to those that do, in that moment, recognize that they are sinners in need of a Savior.
People don't want to be judged. The thinking here is that if no one is looking, it makes it easier to raise their hand. Kinda' like when you see posters for lost articles that say "Please return, no questions asked"

One isn't saved when they raise their hand, they are saved when they accept Jesus as their Savior.

KJV said:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. - Romans 10:9-13

Click to expand...

This usually takes place after the service, when someone opens a Bible with the one who raised their hand. Then, usually the next service, or before the end of the current service, and announcement is made that the person who raised their hand has accepted Jesus as their Savior. They are then welcomed into the family of God.
FTR: I've never seen a pastor in an IBC call the people who raise their hands to come to the alter for salvation. I have, however, seen it in a Pentecostal church.
Usually the alter call is for the saved, born again, Christian. It's usually to repent of something that happened either during the week, or something that was brought to mind during the service's message or both. (1 John 1:9 and Romans 13:11-14)
One is not required to go to the alter to repent, this can be done while standing there, or at home. The idea is to take care of business with the LORD while it's still fresh on your mind and heart.
I hope this was helpful