Altar calls.. yes or know

[lighthousejohn]

Are you saying it is actually God who is calling people to stand at the front of their churches? And that if a person doesn't get up for an altar call they are ashamed of God?

I really think sometimes we need to question the concepts that our churches are saying we should believe in. Does the bible mention altar calls? No. Where were altar calls in the first 1800 years of Christianity? Nowhere.

Sharp,

As mahogany said in a previous post, there are many reasons as to why people respond to an altar call. Some come forward for prayer with the pastor or to ask for prayer from the congregation. Others come forward to share with the pastor a decision that they have made pertaining to faith, ministry, church membership, etc.

Their is never a mandatory participation in an altar call. I always open up the altar at any time of the service for those who feel the need to pray at the altar. I have also been in services where there was no altar call and people have told me later that they felt convicted to go forward but did not respond to the conviction because of the lack of opportunity.

If an individual is embarassed to go forward, then that is between him and God. If they are a believer and are embarrassed, then they really need some prayer time with God. If they are a non-believer and they are embarrassed to go forward, then they have not been fully convicted.

In Christ,
John

 

[loveschild]

Hi Sharp
Yes I mean God is saying go to the altars. Actually back in the old days they didn't always have altars to go to and they would pile up rocks as the altar. To honor God. No one has to go to the altar. God will not force anyone. But if you miss a blessing because you don't want to, don't feeeeel like it, don't want the people around you seeing you lay down your pride for God, will not put God first before you any, other reasons you are hurting yourself. God is saying for everyone to go to the atars.
Same goes for the people who will not lift up their hands in church. Honor God. Lay down pride.
I just seen a pastor rebuked by God. God called out his name. Said better stop the pride. Do you think your righteousness is going to get you to heaven? In other words told him he better straighten up or hes going to hell.
We all know we are in the last days. Its time we stop saying my way or no way. Because God means its his way or no way.

 

[phil36]

Personally I am not a big fan of alter call's. However, I don't have a problem with them either. the problem with alter calls is that God;s work of Salvation is turned into a performance based ethos. I have onlt been to 4 churches hwere there is alter call's and basically, they where much like an enternainment show, but that is justt he examples I have seen.

So I think what I am saying is Yes the preacher/teachers gives the gospel/implores people to be saved, yet it is the work of God.. Baptism is a public display of discipleship.. making a descision isnt. But, I am sure there are churches who do it out of a humble heart and well meaning.

Phil

 

[Sharp]

Hi Sharp
Yes I mean God is saying go to the altars. Actually back in the old days they didn't always have altars to go to and they would pile up rocks as the altar. To honor God. No one has to go to the altar. God will not force anyone. But if you miss a blessing because you don't want to, don't feeeeel like it, don't want the people around you seeing you lay down your pride for God, will not put God first before you any, other reasons you are hurting yourself. God is saying for everyone to go to the atars.
Same goes for the people who will not lift up their hands in church. Honor God. Lay down pride.
I just seen a pastor rebuked by God. God called out his name. Said better stop the pride. Do you think your righteousness is going to get you to heaven? In other words told him he better straighten up or hes going to hell.
We all know we are in the last days. Its time we stop saying my way or no way. Because God means its his way or no way.

That's bonkers.

So, why does God tell the pastors of some churches to do altar calls but not others?

Or is God sending very clear messages to ALL pastors to do altar calls but some are actively ignoring God's commandment - one which, by the way, is not in the bible.

After 1800 years of either God not telling pastors to do altar calls, OR pastors ignoring God's commandment to do altar calls for 1800 years, they finally start doing them............that's bonkers.

I'm sorry to bring denominationalism into this, but there's no avoiding the fact that altar calls are mostly done by pentecostals and charasmatic-leaning mainline evangelicals. And I don't know why the pastors at these churches in particular seem to think that they have the right to provide an opportunity for people's faith to be "put to the test", instead of these situations being provided by God in every day life, when no-one else is watching.

Altar calls are another man-made benchmark of holiness, like raising your hands during a song so everyone can see you, whereby those who partake are considered holy by the congregation, and those who do not are mere mortals. I've been to churches like this, I know how it works. Whoever doesn't do these outward displays of pretense is judged as being embarassed or "still growing in their faith", whereas really, they feel like they have nothing to prove.

Remember Jesus spoke against the pharisees who like long prayers and greetings in the marketplaces. That's what this sort of stuff reminds me of. People wanting to be thought of as holy by others.

 

[livingbygrace]

That's bonkers.





like raising your hands during a song so everyone can see you, whereby those who partake are considered holy by the congregation, and those who do not are mere mortals. I've been to churches like this, I know how it works. Whoever doesn't do these outward displays of pretense is judged as being embarassed or "still growing in their faith", whereas really, they feel like they have nothing to prove.

Remember Jesus spoke against the pharisees who like long prayers and greetings in the marketplaces. That's what this sort of stuff reminds me of. People wanting to be thought of as holy by others.

I have been to these churches too and agree entirely with what you say

 

[lighthousejohn]

That's bonkers.

So, why does God tell the pastors of some churches to do altar calls but not others?

Or is God sending very clear messages to ALL pastors to do altar calls but some are actively ignoring God's commandment - one which, by the way, is not in the bible.

After 1800 years of either God not telling pastors to do altar calls, OR pastors ignoring God's commandment to do altar calls for 1800 years, they finally start doing them............that's bonkers.

I'm sorry to bring denominationalism into this, but there's no avoiding the fact that altar calls are mostly done by pentecostals and charasmatic-leaning mainline evangelicals. And I don't know why the pastors at these churches in particular seem to think that they have the right to provide an opportunity for people's faith to be "put to the test", instead of these situations being provided by God in every day life, when no-one else is watching.

Altar calls are another man-made benchmark of holiness, like raising your hands during a song so everyone can see you, whereby those who partake are considered holy by the congregation, and those who do not are mere mortals. I've been to churches like this, I know how it works. Whoever doesn't do these outward displays of pretense is judged as being embarassed or "still growing in their faith", whereas really, they feel like they have nothing to prove.

Remember Jesus spoke against the pharisees who like long prayers and greetings in the marketplaces. That's what this sort of stuff reminds me of. People wanting to be thought of as holy by others.

Sharp,

You keep saying that there is no altar call in the Bible yet we are told in Matthew 5 to bring our gifts to the altar: " 21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca', is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." The standard method of taking an offering is "to pass the plate". This is anti-biblical but it is not frowned upon by most main-stream believers. The offering is supposed to be a solemn and contemplative part of worship. I say that if done as the Bible states, the offering of gifts would be a form of altar call.

Paul also stated in Romans 10: "8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
The altar call was instituted to provide a means for those who had received Christ, a means of public confession. I realize that altar calls can be "hyped" and that the machination of the service is often designed to promote a response. This does not negate the fact that the reason for it is biblically based.

In Christ,
John

 

[loveschild]

The altar of God is where you humble yourself to the Lord. Where you stop thinking about you and what you want and you step down off of your throne and humble yourself to God. God expects this. Not going to the altar is human pride. Pride is not OK with God at all.
There is power of God flowing at the altar. I go to the altar all the time. Let me tell you what happens at the altar. I was at the altar worshipping the Lord. Thats what the altars are for. Worshipping God. He loves that! So I'm up there praying in the spirit. I was there for a good while. I thought I was finished so I went back to my seat. The Lord told me to go back to the altar. So I did. I started praying in the spirit again. All the sudden this beam came from heaven and went into my heart. It was amazing! I was wondering what was going on. So I'm there thinking what is happening what is God doing. God doesn't tell me everything he is doing. Then the human mind. Then I start thinking oh no is something wrong with my heart? A beam of power is coming from heaven into my heart. This went on for like 25 minutes. Then worship time was over and it was bible study time. So I went to bible study. All bewildered of what the Lord was doing.
Bible study was over and I went home. The Lord told me to look at my messages. There was a urgent request from a Pastor friend of mine in India. He was asking for prayer for his mom. He said she was in the hospital dying. She needed a new heart. Then I realized God was using me as a connection to send his power for my friends mom. All God wants is people who will obey him. I obey him by going to the altar. The Spirit knew what prayers needed to be prayed for my friends mom. Me humbling myself and praying is all the was needed. The very next day they were ready to send my friends mom home. Miracle from God. Think how many miracles could be happening if we would all go to the altars.

 

[lighthousejohn]

The altar of God is where you humble yourself to the Lord. Where you stop thinking about you and what you want and you step down off of your throne and humble yourself to God. God expects this. Not going to the altar is human pride. Pride is not OK with God at all.
There is power of God flowing at the altar. I go to the altar all the time. Let me tell you what happens at the altar. I was at the altar worshipping the Lord. Thats what the altars are for. Worshipping God. He loves that! So I'm up there praying in the spirit. I was there for a good while. I thought I was finished so I went back to my seat. The Lord told me to go back to the altar. So I did. I started praying in the spirit again. All the sudden this beam came from heaven and went into my heart. It was amazing! I was wondering what was going on. So I'm there thinking what is happening what is God doing. God doesn't tell me everything he is doing. Then the human mind. Then I start thinking oh no is something wrong with my heart? A beam of power is coming from heaven into my heart. This went on for like 25 minutes. Then worship time was over and it was bible study time. So I went to bible study. All bewildered of what the Lord was doing.
Bible study was over and I went home. The Lord told me to look at my messages. There was a urgent request from a Pastor friend of mine in India. He was asking for prayer for his mom. He said she was in the hospital dying. She needed a new heart. Then I realized God was using me as a connection to send his power for my friends mom. All God wants is people who will obey him. I obey him by going to the altar. The Spirit knew what prayers needed to be prayed for my friends mom. Me humbling myself and praying is all the was needed. The very next day they were ready to send my friends mom home. Miracle from God. Think how many miracles could be happening if we would all go to the altars.

Thank you Loveschild!

A submissive heart is an obedient heart. Prayer is a much needed ministry in the church today. I am not taliking about prayer chains or prayer groups. I am talkimg about individuals with a heart that hears God and responds in prayer. God needs more people at the altar.

In Christ,
John

 

[loveschild]

The bible talks all the time about the temple of God and people going to the temple. Do you not think there were altars in there. Plus all the sacrfice at the altars. To say the bible does not talk about altars is insane.
Plus the bible tells to lift up holy hands to the Lord all kinds of times. Its not for the people to see. God sees.
It also talks about dancing to the Lord.
Singing to him.
Worshipping our God is very important.
Stop making excuses to not surrendar to God.
All of you should have surrendered to God long ago.

 

[loveschild]

Sharp there are many people not doing Gods will. Not just pastors. God isn't even allowed in many churches.

 

[Sharp]

The bible talks all the time about the temple of God and people going to the temple. Do you not think there were altars in there. Plus all the sacrfice at the altars. To say the bible does not talk about altars is insane.
Plus the bible tells to lift up holy hands to the Lord all kinds of times. Its not for the people to see. God sees.
It also talks about dancing to the Lord.
Singing to him.
Worshipping our God is very important.
Stop making excuses to not surrendar to God.
All of you should have surrendered to God long ago.

Ok people went to the temple in the bible. So what? We go to church - that's our equivalent.

Show me precisely in the bible where it says the minister, priest or pastor should invite people to come to the front of the church and stand there.

 

[Sharp]

All the sudden this beam came from heaven and went into my heart. It was amazing!

A beam of power is coming from heaven into my heart. This went on for like 25 minutes.

Then I realized God was using me as a connection to send his power for my friends mom.

Its become pretty clear to me that you and I are involved in very different flavours of Christianity. No offense but yours sounds like new age spirituality. Our views on this subject are always going to differ. You see them as essential to a Christian life; I see them as pretentious ritualism.

 

[lighthousejohn]

Its become pretty clear to me that you and I are involved in very different flavours of Christianity. No offense but yours sounds like new age spirituality. Our views on this subject are always going to differ. You see them as essential to a Christian life; I see them as pretentious ritualism.

Sharp,

Okay, we get it! You don't believe in altar calls. Why do you find it necessasary to attack those who do. To label someones belief a "new age spirituality" because it does not align with your belief is very unchristianlike. It appears that you believe that if the Bible is silent on a particular issue then that issue should not be practiced. That is hyper-legalism at its core. It is okay to agree to disagree, but there is no reason to publicly attack another persons beliefs.

I am not advocating "tolerance theology" but there are many pentacostals, charismatics and evangelical believers that accept and practice supernaturally inspired forms of worship. The tone of your posts suggest that you would be okay with all of these people be ex-communicated from the Christian church. If this is correct, then you are being judgemental. If it is incorrect then I apologize but suggest you tone down the rhetoric.

In Christ,
John

 

[MahogonySnail]

I used to go to a wonderful pentecostal church that had altar calls. It was exciting because you never knew what the person at the altar would do. Scream, fall over, sometimes a demon would rush out whoosh.

 

[calvina]

It is not up to him whether or not people should publicly come up to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is God that draws people to Him. By not allowing any to come up because of a few potentials fakes, he eliminates an opportunity for people who legitimately want to come to the Lord. Even if 5 out of 6 people who come up were fake, it was worth it just for the one! Sometimes in our zeal to protect from error, we do more harm than good.

i do agree with Machew....only GOD who can judge us

 

[giantone]

Anything can be good or bad it it is misused, but when your fighting a fight, you don't want to tie one hand behind your back, even if it offends someone.

Our church has alter calls but not too often. I see sometimes they can be overdone or be made to be a show but sometimes they can be very good.

I think alter calls can be like communion or baptism, your going up front to show what you believe. It isn't up to the pastor to decide not to have alter calls because of fake confessions. God knows how real or fake it all is.

We have Bible question and answer time every so often at our church, our pastor stops what he's doing and asks if he skipped over something or went too fast with something in the sermon and asks if we any questions or questions about other things in the Bible. Our church is laid back and we kind of interact with the pastor during the sermon many times and it works out really good.

Church shouldn't be an entertainment event, it should be a participating event.

 

[Sharp]

Sharp,

Okay, we get it! You don't believe in altar calls. Why do you find it necessasary to attack those who do. To label someones belief a "new age spirituality" because it does not align with your belief is very unchristianlike. It appears that you believe that if the Bible is silent on a particular issue then that issue should not be practiced. That is hyper-legalism at its core. It is okay to agree to disagree, but there is no reason to publicly attack another persons beliefs.

I am not advocating "tolerance theology" but there are many pentacostals, charismatics and evangelical believers that accept and practice supernaturally inspired forms of worship. The tone of your posts suggest that you would be okay with all of these people be ex-communicated from the Christian church. If this is correct, then you are being judgemental. If it is incorrect then I apologize but suggest you tone down the rhetoric.

In Christ,
John

John,

You started this thread. I'm engaging in debate. If you want to start threads seeking people's opinions and then encourage people not to respond, that's fine mate.

I wasn't equating altar calls with new age spirituality. If you look at the exact parts of loveschilds post I was responding to, you'll see it was the parts talking about beams from heaven, power being transferred to people's hearts, God using beams of power to transfer power to people's friends mothers via telephones, etc. I think this is very foreign to Christianity.

 

[lighthousejohn]

John,

You started this thread. I'm engaging in debate. If you want to start threads seeking people's opinions and then encourage people not to respond, that's fine mate.

I wasn't equating altar calls with new age spirituality. If you look at the exact parts of loveschilds post I was responding to, you'll see it was the parts talking about beams from heaven, power being transferred to people's hearts, God using beams of power to transfer power to people's friends mothers via telephones, etc. I think this is very foreign to Christianity.

There is debate and then there is debate. Attacks against what someone believes is not necessary. I am not trying to stop you from responding. I said if I was wrong in my perception of your words I apologize but I belelieve we can debate civily without rancor or discord.

 

[JesusFreak787]

I've got to disagree, look alter calls are a good thing, some people might sit there and be like well I'm kinda unsure about this jesus stuff but I want to try but I don't really know how, I'm not saying there has to be an alter call you could just pray with the church but I don't like when someone especially a preacher calls it a false profession of faith, that man doesn't know those peoples hearts you know being saved doesn't just make you perfect, Jesus still have to work things out in that persons life, Jesus talks about not being ashamed of him before man I'd say going up says i'm not ashamed. everyone has there oppinion on this but I can't see a bad thing in someone asking if people want to come and know Jesus as Lord, People come from different denomenations but one thing I can say is becarful listening to ur pastor read the word and make sure hes not makeing his own stuff up or just following what his denomination believes. Rom. 10:9-10, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

 

[MahogonySnail]

Altar calls are the only way many people in church get individual attention. Churches are not really catered for the individual but for the masses. They expect you to sit down and shut up for an hour or more through an entire program of music, talking, and preaching. Once the pastor is finished, he's out of there, getting ready for the next service, or to have lunch or whatever.