aldona Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Did Jesus, or Paul or Peter or the other apostles/disciples give an altar call? There is no record of anything like this in the Bible (or in the earliest historical accounts of the Christian church). I read a really good article once (trying to find it, can't remember who the author was) on this subject, and the general idea was "imagine Jesus and his disciples carrying out some of our modern day evangelistic methods - does it sound like the kind of thing Jesus would do, or is it just plain ridiculous?" Can you imagine Jesus saying, at the end of the Sermon on the Mount... "Now, with every eye closed and every head bowed, while Bartholomew plays "Just As I Am" on the harmonica, is there anybody who feels they want to dedicate their lives to Me? Put your hands up...Yes, there's a hand...over by the olive tree. Come forward, Brother. Yes, there's another hand, and another. Please stay behind afterwards and Peter, John and I will have a special prayer with you. Come on now, surely there must be someone else? Don't hesitate - Put your hand up now, while you still have the opportunity..." ...etc, etc ...until every single person has "accepted the call"...whether they want to, or whether they just finally give in under the pressure so that the program can wind up and they can all go home. If the above scenario seems disrespectful to Jesus - what does that tell you about our evangelism techniques? aldona Quote www.asrc.org.au (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Melbourne)Helping over 2000 refugees & asylum seekers each monthIMSLP/Petrucci Music LibraryThe Public Domain Music Score Library - Free Sheet Music DownloadsLooking for classical sheet music? Try IMSLP first!
Moderators lazarus Posted January 3, 2009 Moderators Posted January 3, 2009 Depending on the Professor's background you may get some info on Altar Calls in Seminary. A visiting professor shared some valuable insights with us in a Mission class. Preaching is essentially about getting folks to make decisions, altar calls are an essential part of that process. The Bible is full of altar calls! They may not have been stylistically the same as Billy Graham or Benny Hinn but they were passionate, probably long, emotional and sometimes a matter of life and death. Numbers 16:26. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” 27So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children. Joshua 24 1Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God..........14.“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Matt 4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand....... 3And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” Acts 2:36“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37.Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
cricket Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 Our commitment to Christ is not just a private matter but it has to do with the whole community where we live. I think it's significant that in the New Testament people were called to make a public testimony to their faith in Christ. It seems that God wants people not only to believe in their heart, but to show and tell the world that they believe. Exactly. To not only believe in the heart, but to show and tell the world that they believe. And where is the "world"? Is is only in the church, or is it outside of the church as well? I think the altar calls are fine and dandy for those who are sincere and who are working toward a change in their lives--both in the church and in the world. Unfortunately, I have rarely seen the case where there is a change of heart that carries over into the world. Rather, I see the same people, week after week, answering these altar calls and then continuing on in the world as if the altar call never even happened. When it becomes a "show" week after week, there is something seriously lacking in the service; perhaps even something seriously lacking in the message. /offsoapbox Quote
Stan Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 There are many folks that had a life changing experience when they took a public stand for the first time. It can be very emotional to be part of that service.. We all have struggles, and some folks really want to have a life changing experience, and feel, yeah this time, this time it is going to take. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Marie Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 In our Church the Pastor has a alter most of the time when he preaches. But he does not do it with music, just during the closing prayer. I think it is a good thing. Even with music, God uses many different things to bring our heart to a point of melting for the Lord. For some they would never have come had it not been for the alter call. Sure some change their mind afterwards, but that don't mean it should not be done. I'm all for giving people a chance to give their hearts to the Lord, even if it is every week. No one knows who is sitting in those pews that week, only the Lord Himself. Quote In His Love, Marie
Woody Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 I will ask .... Asked. This is a topic that is discussed at seminary but it is as wide and varied as the ocean if I may characterize what my pastor said. My pastor tries to stick with what the Holy Spirit is telling and leading with. Most often a alter call is made for a very specific part of the theme of the sermon. It is for those who 'specially' want to commit to doing as was described in the sermon. This is a special call ... not a general call. Then it is best if someone has made such a serious commitment ... to have a mentor to work with and to counsel and encourage this person along after their decision has been made. The mentor calls each week and is also available for questions as needed. This is for nurture and support. Well ... that is the answer or opinion of one pastor. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Taylor Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 My favorite part of evangelism is the altar call. Not for spiritual manipulation but an opportunity for the HS to help the person make a public decision to follow Jesus. I have seen MANY instances of true conversions due to altar calls. I think that in many caucasian, english speaking churches it isn't done enough but when it is, the effects can be dramatic and the results long-lasting. No one will never have 100% batting average...even God lost 1/3 of the angels but we must give people the opportunity to decide for Jesus. Quote
ChildofChrist Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 When I received the letter with highlights from the forum...the question was how do you feel about alter calls? While I realized it could be a typo, in a way it is still correct. An 'altar' call is a 'alter' call. A call to change or alter one's life. To look up and approach the throne of God rather than to look about and puff up one's self importance. Yes, there are some ministers that give the call with some frequency. Others, especially from a conference will usually do one. IMO, if it is done too frequently, it would be common place. Then folks stand and go down without giving it much thought OR soul searching...after all, leaders and upstanding members have to set the example for others. Quote Wakan Tanka Kici Un ~~Child of Christ~~
Stan Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 When I do the THIS WEEK there typos When Gail does them no typos... Just an added bonus. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Tallmark Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 I attended a black SDA church in Detroit several years ago. They had an altar call every Sabbath. Quote
Moderators lazarus Posted January 4, 2009 Moderators Posted January 4, 2009 Unfortunately, I have rarely seen the case where there is a change of heart that carries over into the world. Rather, I see the same people, week after week, answering these altar calls and then continuing on in the world as if the altar call never even happened. When it becomes a "show" week after week, there is something seriously lacking in the service; perhaps even something seriously lacking in the message. /offsoapbox Like most other things when done too often they lose their effectiveness. I'm sorry you've had that experience with altar calls. Mine is probably the opposite! Almost everyone I've baptized this year came up for an altar call one time or another. They have also been through bible studies and we'll be starting a new discipleship class in March. Altar calls are part of the process. I wonder how many churches that never have altar calls baptize folk on a regular basis? Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Woody Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 Did Jesus use altar calls each Sabbath? Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators lazarus Posted January 4, 2009 Moderators Posted January 4, 2009 Of course he did!!! Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
ally34 Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Altar calls are a weekly occurrence at my church Quote Ally M.
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