Altar Calls

convicted1 · Dec 7, 2011

Robert Snow said: ↑

I know the type you are talking about. Twenty minutes while the pastor screams and begs for a response. That's not what I am talking about.
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Oh, and it gets even better than that. If no sinners "come forth", they will then turn to the christians and asked them if they are living right with God, and if not, the altar is a good place to get back on the right track. They'll do anything to keep from having an "empty" altar call.

I will never do one as long as I am in my right mind. Salvation is between the Lord and a sinner. None of us need to get in there and try to hammer things out. God can do this just fine.

JesusFan · Dec 7, 2011

convicted1 said: ↑

Oh, and it gets even better than that. If no sinners "come forth", they will then turn to the christians and asked them if they are living right with God, and if not, the altar is a good place to get back on the right track. They'll do anything to keep from having an "empty" altar call.

I will never do one as long as I am in my right mind. Salvation is between the Lord and a sinner. None of us need to get in there and try to hammer things out. God can do this just fine.
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Reminds me of a church where the visiting pastor wanted one to show true love for God by putting in the collections plate largest bill in your wallet, and he of course had none in his!

Allan · Dec 7, 2011

menageriekeeper said: ↑

Well Baptists weren't the originators of the architecture of church buildings. The questionis fairly simple why was an altar included originally? We don't sacrifice so what was the original purpose?

I don't think it is a dramatic question at all, just one of historical curiosity.
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That is why I stated it 'seems'... but ok.. my question is what baptist church or churches do you know have 'actual' altars?

OH wait - are you are referencing those that have like a solid, squared (boxed in on all sides) table that sometimes has designs on them and scripture saying "Do this in Remembrance of me"... it symbolic (when they have the Lords supper) as the altar and thus the ordinances are placed upon it to be delivered to the saints who will receive it. Though to be honest I'm only heard a few call it an altar (and even then only during the Lords supper where the elements were awaiting distribution) though I don't really know what it is called. However I'm not sure where it started but it has been apart of church history for a long time, Catholic and non. So my answer is - not really sure.. good question.. now I have to look it up

menageriekeeper · Dec 7, 2011

OH wait - are you are referencing those that have like a solid, squared (boxed in on all sides) table that sometimes has designs on them the saying "Do this in Remembrance of me"... it symbolic (when they have the Lords supper) as the altar and thus the ordinances are placed upon it to be delivered to the saints who will receive it. Not sure where it started but it has been apart of church history for a long time, Catholic and non. So my answer is - not really sure.. good question.. now I have to look it up
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Yeah, now you have my meaning. I don't even know where to look so I appreciate your effort on my behalf.

I do believe that we have changed the meaning of the word "altar" as well as the use of the actual physical item over the last 2000 years. I think of "altar" as a place of prayer and/or confession, but not a place of sacrifice.

Tom Butler · Dec 7, 2011

Allan said: ↑

Again, every time you have a plea to respond you have an invitation whether to unbelievers to repent and be saved or to believers regarding whatever the message was about. Why did Peter preach at Pentacost unless he desired a response from those people to whom the message was given. Why else would we see him continue after telling them to repent and be baptized, to exhort and testify to them.. "telling them to save themselves from this perverse generation".

Or Paul beseeching the unsaved to be reconciled, or pleading for believers to yield themselves unto God, ect...
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As I said in my post, if it's part of the message, fine with me. If it is just something that is always done at the end of the message, with no previous groundwork laid in the message, then I suggest some re-thinking of the idea.

Where do you see Peter's sermon is interpreted?.. he stood up and address them all in one tongue. However why do you presume Peter was preaching, and in the Holy Spirit no less? Was it not for them know the truth and respond to it? If not, what other reason do you presume?

Paul also did such, and his plead to repent shows just that.
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Interrupted, not interpreted. Peter was preaching along when some hearers stopped him with a question. "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Please don't take this the wrong way but I find it sad you have to even ask such. I guess my question is - Do the people in your church not pray together consistently and often for one another? What do they pray for each other for? I can find no where in the NT where the body was not involved in all manner of prayer for various issues, and where they (as a body) were of one heart and mind.
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I was asking your opinion, not giving mine as to what kind of response is expected from believers.

I find it odd that most of your questions on this are about going to the pastor to pray or going to the pastor to shake his hand and rededicate their life(??). The pastor is there like any other councilor up front or deacon or elder they would speak with if they had any questions.

I have found, and the majority of the pastors I know (though obviously it does not speak to the majority of all) will tell you the same, that so called decisions made secretly in the seats rarely manifest in the pew (ie. their life).

I've not been privy to such pastors or people so much. An invitation (altar call) is given for the people to respond publicly.. if they don't, (all those I know as well as myself and most of those I have seen) then close the service and praise the Lord.
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I'm certainly not advocating responses which are kept secret. It's just the opposite. Confession before men is scriptural, obviously.

Who are you or I to question what God has laid on 'his' heart to do.
I have once (as the invitation itself) told people to turn to the person next to them and ask if God is working on their hearts about something and 'if' they would like that person to pray for them. No singing, no music, just people praying with one another. Interestingly enough, it was apart of a week long revival service I was doing and the pastor still to this day tells me how much that service has changed his peoples hearts towards one another and prayer has become the theme of this little NW Arkansas church. Other aspects happened but this is just a point I'm making. There is no order of service and do's and don't do's for pastors when preaching or giving a plea for a response.
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Similar things have happened in my church. I think it's great. Just don't call it an invitation.

Jerome · Dec 7, 2011

Founders-era invitation, as reported in the Southern Baptist Convention's Boards of Foreign and Domestic Missions Missionary Journal (vol. 2, 1847):

At Bethany, after preaching, eight or ten came forward for prayer; which was offered, and the congregation dismissed. But the people would not leave the house,—the anxious still sat weeping. The brethren continued in prayer and singing about two hours. Two young men obtained hope.
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Altar Calls

convicted1 Guest

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Altar Calls

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