We can discuss whether certain methodologies and terminologies are sound ways to exhort men and women to repentance and faith. We will be on solid ground if we look to the scriptures for guidance.
The exhortations were brief and to the point.
John the Baptist: Repent
Jesus: Repent
Peter (at Pentecost): Repent
Paul (on Mars Hill)God commands you to repent.
The response to Paul's exhortation: Some believed
Paul (to the Philippian jailer): Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philip (to the eunuch) If you believe with all your heart..
To be sure, each laid some groundwork, but in the final analysis, there was nothing poetic, nothing symbolic, just straightforward language. No raising of the hand, no walking the aisle, no inviting Jesus into their hearts, no praying to receive Jesus. Just repent/believe.
Altar Calls?
Discussion in 'History Forum' started by ThankULord, Nov 7, 2009.
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asterisktom Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I am so glad I am in a Baptist church that does not bother with it, but trust, rather, the Holy Spirit to draw and convict - the very thing He was doing before Finney came up with his innovation. -
John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
One item of internet forum courtesy is to read a thread before commenting. That way you don't assume anything. If you will go back and read the thread, you will find where I quote a Baptist historian who proved that Finney did not invent the altar call, but Separatist Baptists did. Furthermore, some form or another of the public invitation (raising of hands, etc.) goes way, way back in church history. -
John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Re 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Etc., etc. -
asterisktom Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
At the risk of seeming discourtesy I am not going to wade through all 19 pages in order to participate in this thread. I just don't have that much time. I did read a few of yours, where you confound biblical invitation with unbiblical altar call - and even that term is loaded with bad theology - and decided to bow out on this one. But for those who are interested, I would recommend the historical research of BB Warfield and John Foote.
I stand by what I wrote. There has been a general tendency in the history of the church to convolute what God has left simple.
Take care. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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asterisktom Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
And, yes, I do know what an altar call is. I have spent years in the baptist church, gone to a school that was mostly Baptist.
Take care. Don't expect any more responses from me until you learn the requisite manners to match your handle. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
oh I won't to be sure. One of the first things that gets attacked is the calling. A good sign that there is no substance behind your original inflammatory comments. I do not expect anything more from you. -
John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I'll make it easy for you. Here is what I wrote about the history issue on p. 10 of the thread:
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asterisktom Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Take care. -
asterisktom Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Just a short comment before work: I am not at all convinced about invitations to come forward to be part of Chrysostom's ministry. I have read from several of his works and some historical biographies as well and just don't see that. I am still pretty convinced that the practice is a fairly new one.
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John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Concerning Bernard of Clairvaux (1093-1153) Lloyd Perry wrote, "The basic appeal of Bernard of Clairvaux was for people to repent of their sins. Often he would call for a show of hands from those who wished to be restored to fellowship with God or the church" (Evangelistic Preaching, Perry with J. R. Strubhar, p. 44, quoted in The Effective Invitation by R. Alan Streett, p. 84).
Jonathan Edward would urge people to meet with him privately after the message (Streett, p. 89)--Spurgeon's method. George Whitfield did the same (ibid, 90). When I was in a certain Muslim country in Asia in October, the same method was being used with great results. Yes, the Holy Spirit must be at work. And yes, people must be invited individually to trust Christ.
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