Altar Calls - Yes/No Good/Bad

etr2013 · Oct 21, 2012

I know that altar calls are somewhat of a staple in most evangelical churches however, there is no Biblical basis for them (that I see).

So, if the Bible does not specifically address the altar call why or why not have them?

Also, if you do have an altar call is this interjecting something man made rather than God inspired?

Willie T · Oct 21, 2012

And this is of concern to you..... why?

Are you questioning water coolers, AC, microphones, glass windows, pews, an elevated stage, collection plates, membership lists, indoor toilets, etc.?

These are matters of convenience someone thinks help things go more smoothly. And none are in the Bible.

Avail yourself of them, if you like, or just let others do that if you choose not to.

I don't think any of it will send you to hell, or call down lightning upon the building.

weariedsoul · Oct 21, 2012

Im not sure what is being referred to as alter call exactly, but if its where they call people to confess then that is biblical. scriptures teach us to call for repentance and to confess to each other.

KimberlyAA · Oct 21, 2012

The practice of altar callscalling people forward after an evangelistic sermon to make a public confession of faith in Christhas gained prominence in the 20th century primarily through crusades such as those of Billy Graham. Also known as the invitation system, altar calls are regularly practiced as part of some church services, especially in many Baptist denominations and other evangelical churches where altar calls are an integral part of the services.

While altar calls as practiced today are not found in the Bible, their advocates cite several biblical examples as support for using them. First, Christ called each of His disciples publicly, telling them follow Me (Matthew 4:19, 9:9) and expecting them to respond immediately, which they did. Jesus was demanding an outward identification with Himself on the part of those who would be His disciples. Of course, the problem of Judas, who also responded publicly by leaving his life behind and following Jesus, is that the call Judas responded to was not synonymous with salvation.

Proponents of the altar call also cite Matthew 10:32 as proof that a new believer must acknowledge Christ before men in order for Him to reciprocate. Calling people to the front of an arena or church is certainly acknowledging before men that a decision has been made. The question is whether that decision is genuinely motivated by a sincere repentance and faith or whether it is an emotional response to external stimuli such as swelling music, heartfelt pleas from the pulpit, or a desire to go along with the crowd. Romans 10:9 makes it clear that genuine salvation comes only from heartfelt belief, which will then result in a verbal confession of that faith.

Just like the sinners prayer, altar calls can be an outward expression of genuine repentance and faith in Christ. The danger is in looking to the prayer or the response as evidence of salvation (Matthew 7:22). True salvation results in a life of continual sanctification as the Holy Spirit within the true believer produces more and more of His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) as evidence of the reality of saving faith.

Willie T · Oct 21, 2012

Oh, I see. You found yourself some article.....

Keep searching. There are tons of them... written form all sorts of perspectives. Eventually, you'll be able to make up your own mind.

weariedsoul · Oct 21, 2012

KimberlyAA said:
The practice of altar calls—calling people forward after an evangelistic sermon to make a public confession of faith in Christ—has gained prominence in the 20th century primarily through “crusades” such as those of Billy Graham. Also known as the “invitation system,” altar calls are regularly practiced as part of some church services, especially in many Baptist denominations and other evangelical churches where altar calls are an integral part of the services.

While altar calls as practiced today are not found in the Bible, their advocates cite several biblical examples as support for using them. First, Christ called each of His disciples publicly, telling them “follow Me” (Matthew 4:19, 9:9) and expecting them to respond immediately, which they did. Jesus was demanding an outward identification with Himself on the part of those who would be His disciples. Of course, the problem of Judas, who also responded publicly by leaving his life behind and following Jesus, is that the “call” Judas responded to was not synonymous with salvation.

Proponents of the altar call also cite Matthew 10:32 as proof that a new believer must acknowledge Christ “before men” in order for Him to reciprocate. Calling people to the front of an arena or church is certainly acknowledging before men that a decision has been made. The question is whether that decision is genuinely motivated by a sincere repentance and faith or whether it is an emotional response to external stimuli such as swelling music, heartfelt pleas from the pulpit, or a desire to “go along with the crowd.” Romans 10:9 makes it clear that genuine salvation comes only from heartfelt belief, which will then result in a verbal confession of that faith.

Just like the sinner’s prayer, altar calls can be an outward expression of genuine repentance and faith in Christ. The danger is in looking to the prayer or the response as evidence of salvation (Matthew 7:22). True salvation results in a life of continual sanctification as the Holy Spirit within the true believer produces more and more of His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) as evidence of the reality of saving faith.

It doesn't matter if the confession is stimulated by music and or exhortation. The Lord is the judge and that's all that matters. Its good to confess. The argument you cited has never made sense to me.

back2thebible · Oct 21, 2012

etr2013 said:
I know that altar calls are somewhat of a staple in most evangelical churches however, there is no Biblical basis for them (that I see).

So, if the Bible does not specifically address the altar call why or why not have them?

Also, if you do have an altar call is this interjecting something man made rather than God inspired?

I'm not sure why you think calling people to follow Christ is an unbiblical thing, although the terminology "alter call" is

etr2013 · Oct 21, 2012

Willie T said:
Oh, I see. You found yourself some article.....

Keep searching. There are tons of them... written form all sorts of perspectives. Eventually, you'll be able to make up your own mind.

Willie T - I am not trying to be condescending towards either those that use them or those that don't. I'm just trying to understand why some do and why some don't.

If you use them or attend a church that does can you tell me why you use them. Just gathering information.

Tangible · Oct 21, 2012

These and other "New Measures" are what you have to pull out of a hat when you dispose of God's instituted sacraments.

weariedsoul · Oct 21, 2012

Tangible said:
These and other "New Measures" are what you have to pull out of a hat when you dispose of God's instituted sacraments.

Whats that mean?

back2thebible · Oct 21, 2012

weariedsoul said:
Whats that mean?

some mindless tradition I would imagine

back2thebible · Oct 21, 2012

etr2013 said:
Willie T - I am not trying to be condescending towards either those that use them or those that don't. I'm just trying to understand why some do and why some don't.

If you use them or attend a church that does can you tell me why you use them. Just gathering information.

I have to say that I am completely against any call to follow Christ where the recipient and everyone around him or her are told to close their eyes, and secretly the person is to raise their hand, while the pastor acknowledges their bold statement of faith, and no one eles is the wiser who just came into faith.........this is utterly ridiculas

weariedsoul · Oct 21, 2012

back2thebible said:
I have to say that I am completely against any call to follow Christ where the recipient and everyone around him or her are told to close their eyes, and secretly the person is to raise their hand, while the pastor acknowledges their bold statement of faith, and no one eles is the wiser who just came into faith.........this is utterly ridiculas

Not neccesarily. If that is the definition of public confession of faith in Christ then yes its ridiculous. But i experienced what you describe in a church once that i attended, im not sure if it was a good or bad church, it was a baptist church, but the man did ask for a show of hands and gave a blessing, or prayer maybe, cant quite remember now. It wasn't bad but its not public confession, and its better to do things public because humility is found in public confession and we will gain more prayer that way.

I agree that public confession is what we are asked to do, to the world about our faith in Christ, and our faults to the congregation..

Willie T · Oct 21, 2012

etr2013 said:
Willie T - I am not trying to be condescending towards either those that use them or those that don't. I'm just trying to understand why some do and why some don't.

If you use them or attend a church that does can you tell me why you use them. Just gathering information.

I'm not saying you are trying to be condescending. I'm just saying, "Why worry about it?"

As I said it's done because someone there thinks it makes something work better or more conveniently. Not much more to it than that.

I've attended churches that do, and I've attended churches that don't. Sometimes one particular church might, or might not, offer the opportunity... sometimes you never knew how it would be.

The Vineyard I now attend doesn't do "Alter calls", per se. The preacher just offers the front area as a meeting place for anyone who might like prayer for anything. And there are ALWAYS three or four regular members who will come forward very close behind ANYONE who walks up there, to pray for them..... as well as people hugging and praying for people all over the building. At any time, there might be twenty prayers going on at the same time.

I, myself, sometimes go forward with a burden. Sometimes you'll find me up front praying for, or with, someone. Today, it was a man right behind me.

For us, it's just a handy time and area to use while we are still all together in one place.

weariedsoul · Oct 21, 2012

Following someone up to an alter call seems very gentle and kind to me, or something. Its sounds good and edifying. I don't know but the image of humility, unity and brotherly love come to mind when i think about it.

Willie T · Oct 21, 2012

weariedsoul said:
Following someone up to an alter call seems very gentle and kind to me, or something. Its sounds good and edifying. I don't know but the image of humility, unity and brotherly love come to mind when i think about it.

Hey, we're a family...... even if it is your first day there.

ViaCrucis · Oct 21, 2012

Altar calls no.

Well my church has a sort of altar call, but we usually just call it the Lord's Supper.

-CryptoLutheran

bbbbbbb · Oct 21, 2012

ViaCrucis said:
Altar calls no.

Well my church has a sort of altar call, but we usually just call it the Lord's Supper.

-CryptoLutheran

I smiled when I read the title of this thread. The OP apparently has no understanding of the role of altars in Traditional Churches such as the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. All of these have "altar calls" which are entirely unrelated to his concern.

In fact, most non-Traditional churches do not even have altars at all. At best, they have a communion table in the front of the auditorium. As a result, the term "altar call" is oxymoronic.

I agree that such efforts are, at best, unnecessary, and, at worst, misleading.

christseeker45 · Oct 21, 2012

etr2013 said:
I know that altar calls are somewhat of a staple in most evangelical churches however, there is no Biblical basis for them (that I see).

So, if the Bible does not specifically address the altar call why or why not have them?

Also, if you do have an altar call is this interjecting something man made rather than God inspired?

it is tradition but most lothe to say that

ViaCrucis · Oct 21, 2012

bbbbbbb said:
I smiled when I read the title of this thread. The OP apparently has no understanding of the role of altars in Traditional Churches such as the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. All of these have "altar calls" which are entirely unrelated to his concern.

In fact, most non-Traditional churches do not even have altars at all. At best, they have a communion table in the front of the auditorium. As a result, the term "altar call" is oxymoronic.

I agree that such efforts are, at best, unnecessary, and, at worst, misleading.

Indeed, I'd even say that any problem I might have with the standard Evangelical notion of the "altar call" isn't really that it's a 19th century American innovation, but rather where I'd take issue is with the inherent theology behind the innovation. The tradition of the altar call promulgates Decision Theology, which is bad theology as it shifts the locus of salvation from the all-efficacious work of Christ on the cross to the power of man's will. The seat of salvation is no longer the Cross, but man.

-CryptoLutheran

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