Altar calls.. yes or know

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Are you in favor of altar calls?

  • Yes

    Votes: 7 63.6%

  • No

    Votes: 3 27.3%

  • Don't care

    Votes: 1 9.1%
  • Total voters
    11
pickles

pickles

Senior Member
#41
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#41
Ive seen alot of different points here on alter calls. I guess the true answer lays in each of our own hearts.
When it comes down to what is the right answer, I think it is the best question that should be asked instead.
In Jesus Our Lord, I ask you father. What do you ask of us on this?
God bless, pickles
 
I

imoss

Banned
#42
Feb 27, 2007
3,179
19
0
#42
Sharp said:
Altar calls are a joke.

What's the point of them?

The guy just wants to look good.

You could also say "see me after the service if you want to be saved or want prayer", instead of trying to guilt people out of their seats and make those who don't get up feel awkward and sinful.
Click to expand...

Perhaps this speaks more to the heart of the believer than the heart of the pastor. If you truly belive this of those men so called by God then you need to re-assess your very own heart in these matters. Why do you think this? Is it because you knew a proud pastor? Why would you paint them all of the same brush? This post confused me & shocked me quite honestly. If I would have been told to stay after the play to receive the Lord I would have left. I know this. (pastor did an altar call after the nativity play)

Now to answer the post:

My opinion is, I was saved during an alter call so I am absolutely against them. If I had never been saved I could still be having good times with all my OLD friends and I wouldnt have to worry about if they are going to hell or not... ok this is sarcastic.

Seriously though, I was saved during an alter call. It was not fake. The tears streaming down the faces of the men & women standing before the stage or at their seat is not fake. I cant even imagine one who would "fake" conversion???? where would a pastor get that from? Perhaps the pastor got that from his own self righteous attitude that would dictate how HE feels a believer should be and act after conversion. I was converted in 1991 and the path I took to finally seeking the will of God was a LOOOONG one. If that pastor had seen me 6 months later (small changes evident but not hugely putting God first) HE could have pointed his BIG pointer finger at me and yelled
IMPOSTER... WE HAVE A FALSE CONVERT HERE.
Of course this would have been a lie. My old Church had few alter calls. My new Church has alter calls and folks receiving the Lord most Sundays. Our entire congregation closes our eyes and together says the sinners prayer for all wanting to receive the Lord. There are those standing to watch for hands of those wishing to receive, this is done with a closed eye congregation. After the service they go to the seats of those who received or they can come to the front altar. I guess in writing this I've come to a knowledge of what the real issue may be with some churches the fact that people have to physically walk up to the altar?? I dont know, all I know is it took me great bravery to put up my hand that day & I'm so glad I did & I could never imagine faking that. Though I received the Lord at my seat I still consider this an altar call as many walked forward to the stage, they gave the option. after I put up my hand two people came & put their arms around my shoulders and prayed with me. I dont remember their prayer... I just remember the release & the filling with the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Imagine if they'd never done that altar call. What missed opportunity for one to receive the Lord, a wretch like me.

I'm thankful for my new Church because they DO care about folks receiving the Lord.
 
I

imoss

Banned
#43
Feb 27, 2007
3,179
19
0
#43
Sharp said:
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.
Click to expand...
Thats how you see it. That is not a truth. The Lord knows these believers. You do not know the Holy Spirit if this is what you say. I pray for you to receive of the Holy Spirit to understand these things.
 
Sharp

Sharp

Senior Member
#44
May 5, 2009
2,565
20
38
#44
imoss said:
Thats how you see it. That is not a truth. The Lord knows these believers. You do not know the Holy Spirit if this is what you say. I pray for you to receive of the Holy Spirit to understand these things.
Click to expand...
I have the Holy Spirit, as does every believer. Thanks for your concern. :cool:
 
Sharp

Sharp

Senior Member
#45
May 5, 2009
2,565
20
38
#45
imoss said:
Perhaps this speaks more to the heart of the believer than the heart of the pastor. If you truly belive this of those men so called by God then you need to re-assess your very own heart in these matters. Why do you think this? Is it because you knew a proud pastor? Why would you paint them all of the same brush? This post confused me & shocked me quite honestly. If I would have been told to stay after the play to receive the Lord I would have left. I know this. (pastor did an altar call after the nativity play)

Now to answer the post:

My opinion is, I was saved during an alter call so I am absolutely against them. If I had never been saved I could still be having good times with all my OLD friends and I wouldnt have to worry about if they are going to hell or not... ok this is sarcastic.

Seriously though, I was saved during an alter call. It was not fake. The tears streaming down the faces of the men & women standing before the stage or at their seat is not fake. I cant even imagine one who would "fake" conversion???? where would a pastor get that from? Perhaps the pastor got that from his own self righteous attitude that would dictate how HE feels a believer should be and act after conversion. I was converted in 1991 and the path I took to finally seeking the will of God was a LOOOONG one. If that pastor had seen me 6 months later (small changes evident but not hugely putting God first) HE could have pointed his BIG pointer finger at me and yelled
IMPOSTER... WE HAVE A FALSE CONVERT HERE.
Of course this would have been a lie. My old Church had few alter calls. My new Church has alter calls and folks receiving the Lord most Sundays. Our entire congregation closes our eyes and together says the sinners prayer for all wanting to receive the Lord. There are those standing to watch for hands of those wishing to receive, this is done with a closed eye congregation. After the service they go to the seats of those who received or they can come to the front altar. I guess in writing this I've come to a knowledge of what the real issue may be with some churches the fact that people have to physically walk up to the altar?? I dont know, all I know is it took me great bravery to put up my hand that day & I'm so glad I did & I could never imagine faking that. Though I received the Lord at my seat I still consider this an altar call as many walked forward to the stage, they gave the option. after I put up my hand two people came & put their arms around my shoulders and prayed with me. I dont remember their prayer... I just remember the release & the filling with the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Imagine if they'd never done that altar call. What missed opportunity for one to receive the Lord, a wretch like me.

I'm thankful for my new Church because they DO care about folks receiving the Lord.
Click to expand...
Hi imoss.

Just to clarify, I don't have a problem with the pastor asking if anyone wants to be saved and people talking with them after the service, as you described. I only object to the idea of people getting out of their seats, and being persuaded by other human beings to do so, being convinced that God wants them out of their seat and satan is working hard to keep them in their seat and prevent them from expressing themselves. We are to do all things decently and in order.
 
I

imoss

Banned
#46
Feb 27, 2007
3,179
19
0
#46
Sharp, I came in to apologise for my post. My insinuation that you do not posess the Holy Spirt as a reaction to your message to Loveschild about her faith being false was incorrect. I should not have attacked you in your faith for I know not your heart or your relationship with the Lord. Just as you know not her heart or relationship with the Lord. We are to be aware of deceiving spirits this is true but be careful not to close yourself off to the most incredible relationship with the Holy Spirit. I know God by his word, I feel the presence of God by his Holy Spirit.

I would agree with your post as well. I've never seen another be persuaded by another to get up but would definitely be against that.
 
Sharp

Sharp

Senior Member
#47
May 5, 2009
2,565
20
38
#47
lighthousejohn said:
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.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to anyone who I have offended in this thread, and I did not mean the comments as an attack on her beliefs. If someone felt that certain things in my life were out of character with Christian doctrine and practice, I would hope they would point it out to me.
 
loveschild

loveschild

Banned
#48
May 21, 2009
3,955
25
0
#48
At my church we plain have worship time before church starts. During church. And thank God thr very much prayer we are also having the sinners prayer.
The Holy Spirit comes to our church on a regular basis. I dont care one second if anyone sees me lift my hands up to the Lord. I'm not there for people to look at me. I'm there because the bible says to be in church.
If you make fun of people doing as the Lord tells us the Lord rebuke you. You are walking a very thin line and I would be careful.
As for me I will continue to worship God and he will use me as he so wants.
And I will love you no matter what and pray for my enemies as I am commanded by my Lord.
God bless you all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.