Altar Calls ... Are They Biblical?

[T. Scott Morgan]

Should altar calls ever be given? Is there anything biblical about them?

[TristanCross]

I don't like it. Half of the people think they are saved and don't have to do crap. American Christianity is carnal Christianity. I'm sick of people like Billy Graham who pervert the Gospel of Christ. Pray for them, that they repent of their works.

[the Beloved Disciple]

I don't know if they are Biblical or not.. I'm not a firm believer in them...When He saved me in 1994... I was saved on my brothers couch.. saved and delivered... People have asked me.. under who did you get saved? or what group or what event? I"ve told them none.. it was on my brothers couch... quiet and peaceful....
and it wasn't under an earthly man or ministry.. but the Holy One of Isreal.....Jesus the Christ.. God manifest in the Flesh..



To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalm 136:4

[Skala]

I think altar calls do more harm than good. People associate the experience of actual salvation with some physical human response (I prayed the prayer, I walked the aisle, therefore I must be saved).

The Bible never urges men to move geographical locations to be saved. Salvation happens at the moment of regeneration, which is an inward calling of God that leads to faith and repentance. If a person is moved to run forward and grab the pastor or elders and ask for guidance, it should be pointed out to them that their new found love for Christ is the result, and not the cause, of their salvation.

I've heard Christians respond to the question "How did you get saved?" or "When did you get saved?" by referring back to a time in their life, 20 years ago, when they "responded to an altar call"

That's not the evidence of salvation. The Bible never says that such a thing is the evidence of salvation. Fruit is.

[Reformed Baptist]

There is the story of the father who said to his son after the service once, 'look boy, you don't have to get up every Sunday for the call'

[BrotherMichael]

Considering there is nothing in Scripture to indicate that it is, nowhere do we see it practiced in Scripture or the early church, and that it was basically started by Charles Finney, who was more of a show man and entertainer than anything else, I would have to say, no, it isn't. I think statistically, most of those who come forward, leave as dead as when they went in, it is where we see "decisional regeneration" at its finest.

I don't like it. Half of the people think they are saved and don't have to do crap. American Christianity is carnal Christianity. I'm sick of people like Billy Graham who pervert the Gospel of Christ. Pray for them, that they repent of their works.

Surely you do not believe in a "works" based salvation, do you? The only requirement to be saved is the repent and believe, the "good works" come from a saved, regenerated heart. There is no such thing as "American Christianity" or "British Christianity" or "Chinese Christianity", there is only Biblical and unbiblical. There are very fine, biblical churches and Christians in America, there are also "goats" dressed up as "sheep", but that is true everywhere. There is no country that can claim that they have absolutely pure, biblical Christianity.

[reformed911]

BrotherMichael,

Here I am...youu know me as reformed from RN.

Altar calls were one of the promptings that led me to the Reformed Faith...PCA to be exact.

At the Baptist church where my wife, two children and I attended worship services there was narry a Sunday where half or more of the youth would be weeping and embracing each other at the altar. It seemed to me that the only time and place they felt they could do business with God was on Sunday morning and in front of the congregation.

Never mind the pure 'numbers game' where we sang "Just as I am" a hundred times. It seemed like a show to me with all the high drama involved. It sometimes sickens me to see the extent many Christians believe they are partners with God instead of being humble servants.

reformed

[BrotherMichael]

Welcome! Glad to see you here. Think I rattled enough cages at RN?

[reformed911]

Welcome! Glad to see you here. Think I rattled enough cages at RN?

Thanks, it's great to be here. I don't think you can rattle any cages over there. They simply don't pay any attention to scripture....they're blinded it seems. I can understand their position though, having been there myself. God reveals His Truth to us in His own time. I will never forget when 'the lights came on' for me.