Altar Calls - Yes/No Good/Bad

[ptomwebster]

what bbbbbbb said. To much in altar calls people respond on emotion not because God calls them and they wonder away and people wonder what went wrong. Peter never did an alter call the 3000 ask him what they must do. There is not one "altar call" in the Bible.

So what? We do many things in a church service these days that were not done in Bible times, do we stop doing them? Do you think we should go back to using the Hebrew Scrolls? I think you are being foolish.

 

[christseeker45]

snd I think you are. I don't folow the foolish sola Scriptura but if one does than they should do only what's in Scripture

 

[weariedsoul]

snd I think you are. I don't folow the foolish sola Scriptura but if one does than they should do only what's in Scripture

I have cried before when listening to billy grahams so called "alter" calls. I got on my knees and prayed. That was not foolish.

 

[christseeker45]

I have cried before when listening to billy grahams so called "alter" calls. I got on my knees and prayed. That was not foolish.

Here's another area you don't get. Many have told you God can call a soul anyway He wants but that does not mean the the theology behind is any good. You have a a lot to learn about Christianity.

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Heb 5:11-14

 

[weariedsoul]

Here's another area you don't get. Many have told you God can call a soul anyway He wants but that does not mean the the theology behind is any good. You have a a lot to learn about Christianity.

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Heb 5:11-14

Its you that needs to learn. I really don't know why i continue to respond to you, you seem negative and legalistic

 

[MoreCoffee]

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?

How can you have an altar call when your church doesn't have an altar? <wry smile and a little chuckle ... this is intended as humour>

Now to the more serious stuff.


In a Mass we always have an alter call; this is how we do it:

1. first we confess our sins and ask God's pardon throwing ourselves upon God's mercy.
2. then we offer a prayer of faith and thanks for God's gracious forgiveness towards us and express our confidence that God is indeed merciful to the penetant.
3. then we prayerfully listen to the word of God read from the scriptures to build up our faith in God and to help us to understand his grace towards us as explained in the gospel.
4. then we give ourselves to God to be his servants in union with Jesus Christ and his people.
5. then we pray as we hear the heart of the gospel expressed both in prayer and in scripture.
6. then we receive holy communion with the whole church here on earth and in heaven and we receive Christ too.

Thus having said the sinner's prayer, received pardon for our sins, and having received Christ we are sent forth into the world to preach the gospel that we have heard and that God has implanted in our hearts.

What do you do when you have an altar call?

PS: our churches do have altars

 

[ViaCrucis]

You DID read about how he used MANY OTHER WORDS to WARN THEM.... and HE PLEADED WITH THEM TO SAVE THEMSELVES, didn't you?

I don't think you could have missed that. Do today's preachers do much different? Other than showing you the actual words "Alter Call", I don't know what else to present.

And those words are on the same page that has the word Eucharist..... (I think it must have gotten torn out at sometime...... I can't locate either term.)

Luke 22:19 - &#954;&#945;&#8054; &#955;&#945;&#946;&#8060;&#957; &#7940;&#961;&#964;&#959;&#957; &#949;&#8016;&#967;&#945;&#961;&#953;&#963;&#964;&#8053;&#963;&#945;&#962;...

-CryptoLutheran

 

[weariedsoul]

I seriously cannot stand RCC or EOC religion. I once looked past little things i didnt agree with, but now im just tired of trying to get along.

 

[weariedsoul]

Im sorry. GT has brought the worst out in me today. I think i need to find a specific forum where i can explore the scriptures with others in fellowship without the fuss. Any suggestions?

 

[MoreCoffee]

Im sorry. GT has brought the worst out in me today. I think i need to find a specific forum where i can explore the scriptures with others in fellowship without the fuss. Any suggestions?

Yes. I wonder if it would be polite

 

[weariedsoul]

Yes. I wonder if it would be polite

What do you mean?

 

[weariedsoul]

Ah, i get it now MR coffee.

Man, im really just looking to fit in somewhere, would you have any suggestions that would helpful?

 

[MoreCoffee]

I seriously cannot stand RCC or EOC religion. I once looked past little things i didnt agree with, but now im just tired of trying to get along.

Im sorry. GT has brought the worst out in me today. I think i need to find a specific forum where i can explore the scriptures with others in fellowship without the fuss. Any suggestions?

What do you mean?

I mean that some folk want a conflict free life even when they invite conflict by making controversial statements. It is a bit inconsistent to want no conflict when one is, at the same time, inviting it.

PS: GT is a debate oriented forum.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Ah, i get it now MR coffee.

Man, im really just looking to fit in somewhere, would you have any suggestions that would helpful?

It depends on what your denomination/religion is. There are numerous "congregations" here, on Christian Forums.

 

[weariedsoul]

I mean that some folk want a conflict free life even when they invite conflict by making controversial statements. It is a bit inconsistent to want no conflict when one is, at the same time, inviting it.

Yes of course. But i hardly invited it, i didn't start the thread, i wasn't the only one who was guilty either. Yes i do want a conflict free life. I don't mind debating, i actually like that, i just don't need called a heretic or false brother because my views on baptism and church buildings is not the same as someone else's.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Yes of course. But i hardly invited it, i didn't start the thread, i wasn't the only one who guilty either. Yes i do want a conflict free life. I don't mind debating, i actually like that, i just don't need called a heretic or false brother because my views on baptism and church buildings is not the same as someone else's.

I doubt that you are either of those things. I don't know who called you such things, but be assured I am not calling you any names.

I like a civil debate and I do not mind conflict because sometimes conflict leads to growth. But if a peaceful and quiet life is your desire GT will probably not be the ideal place for you to post.

By the way, did you read my earlier post?

How can you have an altar call when your church doesn't have an altar? <wry smile and a little chuckle ... this is intended as humour>

Now to the more serious stuff.


In a Mass we always have an alter call; this is how we do it:

1. first we confess our sins and ask God's pardon throwing ourselves upon God's mercy.
2. then we offer a prayer of faith and thanks for God's gracious forgiveness towards us and express our confidence that God is indeed merciful to the penetant.
3. then we prayerfully listen to the word of God read from the scriptures to build up our faith in God and to help us to understand his grace towards us as explained in the gospel.
4. then we give ourselves to God to be his servants in union with Jesus Christ and his people.
5. then we pray as we hear the heart of the gospel expressed both in prayer and in scripture.
6. then we receive holy communion with the whole church here on earth and in heaven and we receive Christ too.

Thus having said the sinner's prayer, received pardon for our sins, and having received Christ we are sent forth into the world to preach the gospel that we have heard and that God has implanted in or hearts.

What do you do when you have an altar call?

PS: our churches do have altars

 

[weariedsoul]

It depends on what your denomination/religion is. There are numerous "congregations" here, on Christian Forums.

I don't fret over water baptism although im hardly against it either, i don't think God is limited to a church building, but most all other views are standard. I believe in repentance, obeying the law of love, observing holiness and that scripture is the word of God.

 

[weariedsoul]

I doubt that you are either of those things. I don't know who called you such things, but be assured I am not calling you any names.

I like a civil debate and I do not mind conflict because sometimes conflict leads to growth. But if a peaceful and quiet life is your desire GT will probably not be the ideal place for you to post.

By the way, did you read my earlier post?

Yes i did see that post and i have found that you are pretty level headed and open minded. I have never felt that you were out of bounds when i spoke with you

 

[weariedsoul]

Well i guess that was that. Im sure you didnt agree with something i said and im not worth your time now. Im getting use to that feeling.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I don't fret over water baptism although im hardly against it either, i don't think God is limited to a church building, but most all other views are standard. I believe in repentance, obeying the law of love, observing holiness and that scripture is the word of God.

I am not inclined to fret over anything. If you think of baptism as optional then perhaps the Salvation Army congregation would provide a good home for you.

I do not think anybody worries too much about church buildings. We have them and they are convenient and useful but they are just buildings and they will pass away just as everything else in this world must, eventually.

The law of love is wonderful especially because it is grounded in God's love for us.

By the way, have you read any books about holiness? I remember, from quite a few years back, reading THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS and also J C Ryle's work on Holiness. I think that both books might be educational if you have not read them yet.

Be of good cheer, and please, do not allow anything upset you so much that you lose your temper. Remember that, on GT, you always have time and proof reading as tools to moderate anything you want to say.

God bless.