Altar Calls and the Regulatory Principle

Daniel Horney · 10-19-2003, 08:38 PM

I know there's something wrong with altar calls(as do others that post here0, I just can't put my finger on it right now. My first rationale is that they're not mentioned in the the New Testament. But at the same time neither is instrumental worship, but we're fine with that. So my question is where does the regulatory principle begin and end and what does it cover/ It seems os though if altar calls are no good then neither should instrumental worship.

Or, is it because Instruments are mentioned in Old Testament worship which makes it ok for the NT church whereas altar calls are mentioned nowhere?

thanks
D

**Ted Logan** · 10-19-2003, 08:43 PM

Because taking Holy Communion is a statement of faith and the administration of the elements is a conduit for grace, there is an altar call every week when Eucharist is celebrated. The bid to come before the altar and eat of His flesh, drink of His blood, is sufficient. Why should there be any more?

Daniel Horney · 10-19-2003, 08:50 PM

my mistake, I should have clarified. Im not talking about coming to the altar to recieve Holy Communion. The setting I'm talking more about is the steriotypical Youth retreat where, usually the last night of the retreat, whoever is speaking will ask people who want to invite Christ into their hearts can come forward, pray the "sinners prayer", have a breif chat with someone aftarward, and are told that they have merited eternal salvation. Does that change your answer any?

thanks,
D

**+Donny** · 10-19-2003, 10:58 PM

Its not that its not warranted in the NT, its that its based off of any worship practice in the entire Bible. There is simply no Biblical example, command, etc. that leads us to an altar call. I also think it is very emotion-driven and is produced because of a wrong view of the purpose of gathering on Sunday. Its not evangelism time, its worship time.

**Ted Logan** · 10-19-2003, 11:00 PM

This was my point. We already have an Altar Call, which is a profession of faith and a request for the grace of God. Why should we need the emotionally-driven business commonly called an altar call?

Mike Graham · 10-19-2003, 11:02 PM

Wow, that went over my head as well. Good one, though...

ChrisHarbison · 10-19-2003, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broccoli Fish

This was my point. We already have an Altar Call, which is a profession of faith and a request for the grace of God. Why should we need the emotionally-driven business commonly called an altar call?

Amen

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDanish

I know there's something wrong with altar calls(as do others that post here), I just can't put my finger on it right now.

It's not that there's anything wrong, my opinion is more than they're completely unnecessary. There was never a thought of them before the very emotionally driven "revivals" led by Finney where he would literally lock people in the building until he was satifsied with the number of "decisions for Christ" that were made.

Why is it necessary to force people down an isle to get saved? I've heard preachers on many an occasion use the verse where Christ says, "If you deny me before man, then I'll deny you before the Father" to suggest that if someone had true saving faith they would come to the front. I'm still trying to find where that's Biblical

.

Tony · 10-20-2003, 09:09 AM

The Internet Monk has a series of articles on the topic.

Lightknight · 10-20-2003, 09:31 AM

I find that like you guys have said that an "alter call" has already been on our lives. We are already supposed to be repenting of sins and drawing closer to God. But the good thing about an alter is that gives a time and a place to do just that. Personally, i use my own time or an alter call if it has drawn something to my attention that i hadn't realized before. The problem with it being emotion driven is that it causes people to make brash promises. Dude, you don't want to break an oath with God. So an alter call can be purposeful. Especially for a call to salvation. But there needs to be less emphasis on that and more emphasis in our daily lives repentance.

Blindman · 10-20-2003, 10:38 AM

"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." (Rom 10:9)

Paul says, believe _and_ confess. An altar call, in theory, is simply a time for people who have come to believe to confess that faith publically, to turn an inward conviction into outward action.

Of course, baptism already serves that role...

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-20-2003, 10:55 AM

I dislike altar calls. However I do not see them as unbiblical, merely extrabiblical. Just like drinking coffee.

My beef with them is the fact that they often seem pride or emotion driven. I am not a person who when moved in my spirit physically moves. When I am seriously confessing sin or what not I sit in silent prayer absolutely still for the movement personally distracts me. As does the plea while I try to pray. I have been called all but a satanist for several times I have een places where I was almost the only one who did not go forward. I knew if I went forward it would just be as a lemming.

I think they have a place though. I remember hearing Nicky Cruz and his alter call. In context, it was great. Very in your face though. But at the same time I have seen so many that are horrid.

Rob · 10-21-2003, 10:25 PM

I used to go down to the altar all the time with people from my youth group. But over the last couple of years I've heard the others pray but never saw them change. They'd pray long wordy prayers and then forget them by the time they got out to their cars. It was almost as if they were praying to the people they were with than to God. Not to mention the fact that every prayer was almost exactly the same as the one they prayed the week before, "Dear God, thank you for this day, thank you for everything you've done for us. Dear God I've slipped in following You, please help me to get back on fire for You. And please help this youth group to get on fire for You too. Help me to be a leader in the group and get everybody else fired up for You. Help us to go out and get lost people to come to church and get saved so we can get this town fired up for You. Thank You for the calling You've put on my life, help me to stay true to You. In Jesus's name I pray amen."

So now I just stay in the pew during the altar call or I go down by myself (of course usually means fighting off my youth leader who insists on praying with me).

Bryan · 10-21-2003, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDanish

I know there's something wrong with altar calls(as do others that post here0, I just can't put my finger on it right now. My first rationale is that they're not mentioned in the the New Testament. But at the same time neither is instrumental worship, but we're fine with that. So my question is where does the regulatory principle begin and end and what does it cover/ It seems os though if altar calls are no good then neither should instrumental worship.

Or, is it because Instruments are mentioned in Old Testament worship which makes it ok for the NT church whereas altar calls are mentioned nowhere?

thanks
D

i think the principle of altar calls is a good thing. but the application is where we get things screwed up. What once was a chance for you to announce your faith to the church has now become a requirement for Salvation. In most churches I have been to the Altar Call wasn't to get saved. It was for those who have been saved or want to talk to a minister. I know in my youth camps that I went to, people were told to talk to one of their counselors, ministers, sponsors and not some random person. We have also used altar calls just so people can come to the altar and pray.

**+Donny** · 10-21-2003, 11:35 PM

I also think they are not only emotional, but a bit individualistic and possibly may be taking away from the corporate element of worship. Personal prayer time doesn't really have its place on Sunday during worship.

Mike Graham · 10-21-2003, 11:40 PM

I would distinguish a call to prayer at the altar from what is often regarded as an altar call, which would consider more of a time for acceptingjesusasyourpersonallordandsaviour and rededicating ones life to Christ *throws up*