Featured Altar Calls and Sinners Prayer

I wonder how many things some may use for good others may abuse in idolatry (perhaps unintended).

I absolutely agree that the use of a "sinners prayer" to bring about or make certain salvation is wrong. I have been in churches that used a "sinners prayer", but never in such a way you describe. BUT I have spoken to others who have experienced that very thing.

I have been in church long enough to see some hymns become types of idols (I actually miss the Doxology).

And orders of service have become man-made systems of worship (again, I kinda miss the programs with songs to be sung...but that is certainly something that has been abused by many).

Sometimes it takes an "outsider" to call attention to things, but I guess these issues always have to be defined by the insider (the one using the "sinners prayer" or "altar call". My church uses neither.

 

People can be sincerely right or sincerely wrong.

Like I said, I have witnessed pastors urging men to be reconciled to God (biblically, not manipulation) but I have heard of other preachers engaging in manipulation.

I personally think this will be born out in the church and how faithful that church remains.

IF in the past churches were not so caught up in business models and looking to increase numbers rather than create disciples then perhaps so many "churches" today would not be so disobedient and worldly.

In other words, many of today's churches are products of people decades ago trying to do kingdom work in worldly ways.

 

I do not understand re-dedications or re-baptisms (if baptized initially as a believer). I do see the room for repentance when backsliding (if that is what people mean by re-dedication).

My wife mentioned renewing our vows. I told her the first ones did not have an expiration date.

I guess that is how I see our journey with Christ. We live a life of bearing our crosses and of repentance. But if once an heir, always an heir. It is God who keeps us.

That is just my thoughts. I would never dissuade someone from following a convection to re-dedicate themselves or be re-baptized, but I do think re-baptism is often a misunderstanding of baptism.

 

Well, if anyone goes to an altar tomorrow send up a prayer. Fell off a ladder about an hour ago and twisted my back. Just covering all bases

 

Scripture also tells us that, as ambassadors to Christ we are to plead on Christ's behalf that men be reconciled to God.

I understand that those things can be misused. But we cannot discount our "ministry of reconciliation" simply because other's have taken things to extremes.

That said, I am not sure that you and I have the same idea about an "altar call". Growing up an "altar call" was used in about every Baptist church in our area. The pastor would give a presentation of the gospel and invite people to come down to the "altar" if God was working in their lives. He would use the "sinners prayer" and say if those words reflect your repentance then now is the acceptable time. If someone came down then the pastor would keep him or her after the service and meet with them, go over the gospel message, etc.

But I have never seen the "sinners prayer" used as a "say this and you are saved" kind of thing. I have heard that it has been used that way, and if so I agree it is wrong. I do not know of many churches who now use the tool as so many have decried it's use because of it's supposed misuse.

I am not exactly sure why "altar calls" (pleading that men be reconciled with God and following up with them by witnessing to them about the gospel) is such a bad thing other than the use of "altar".

 

Maybe it would help to say exactly what each of us believes constitutes an "altar call".

In my experience what has been called an "altar call" is a "plea for men to be reconciled to God" (what Paul stated as our ministry).

In your experience, how have churches used an "altar call"?

 

I've never attended a free-will Baptist church, so that may be why I am not seeing what you have experienced.

What I have experienced as an "altar call" is the pastor explains the gospel and invites anyone who believes God is drawing them to a discussion as the pastor wants to make sure the gospel has been explained, the person understands, any questions are addressed, etc. These types of "altar calls" are, IMHO, essential because we cannot just assume the person seeking baptism has received the gospel. I know we can never be sure the person has truly believed, but I think it is important to examine what the person believes or understands about salvation.