The Invitation System and the Altar Call

[ReverendRV]

I did say this with the belief that @ReverendRV wasn't actually calling for a literal interpretation of the verse in any sort of universal context such as those specifically mentioned are in the habit of doing.

I was just pointing out what others do or don't do doesn't matter and doesn't change anything about our conduct or what is right for us to do or wrong.

As I said in the beginning of the Thread, If I had an Alter Call; I would use a Biblical one. Isaiah 55:1-3...

The Calvinist John Gill calls it an Alter Call...

 

[Rescued One]

I was baptized as a believer by immersion in a Wesleyan church after I left Mormonism. My Presbyterian neighbor back east was baptized in Southern Baptist church because they didn't accept her infant baptism.

 

[Hazelelponi]

As I said in the beginning of the Thread, If I had an Alter Call; I would use a Biblical one. Isaiah 55:1-3...

The Calvinist John Gill calls it an Alter Call...

My automatic is to stand with the nays in the sense that it's used today.

I would still stand by my revision from the initial absolute no, to an invitation more scriptural and more in accordance with our beliefs as I mentioned here:

A biblical approach might be a pastor, trusting God’s work (Romans 8:30), asking, “Has anyone, by God’s Spirit, crossed from death to life (John 5:24) and desires to confess Christ?” This invites public profession (Romans 10:9) without manipulating emotions, affirming regeneration’s fruit (Matthew 7:20). False altar calls exalt man; true calls exalt Christ’s sovereign grace.

However as a woman I think it's probably not my thoughts that matter...

I have a preference for the simple and honest though, not rehearsed or things.

 

[prism]

Wait a minute---what is imperfect faith versus perfect faith?

For starters, no one has perfect faith, I.e. have you moved any mountains lately? And 1Jn 1:9.
Since no one has perfect faith, that leaves us all with imperfect faith (apart from the imputed righteousness of Christ).

 

[ReverendRV]

As I said in the beginning of the Thread, If I had an Alter Call; I would use a Biblical one. Isaiah 55:1-3...

The Calvinist John Gill calls it an Alter Call...

John Gill came a hundred years before Charles Finney...

 

[Rescued One]

For starters, no one has perfect faith, I.e. have you moved any mountains lately? And 1Jn 1:9.
Since no one has perfect faith, that leaves us all with imperfect faith (apart from the imputed righteousness of Christ).

Why mention imperfect faith? If God gives us faith so we can be saved, and every good and perfect gift is from above(James 1:17) would He give us imperfect faith? I'm finding thoughts that challenge my beliefs!

 

[Rescued One]

John Gill came a hundred years before Charles Finney...

In fact, there were no altar calls in the first great awakening. And Charles Spurgeon, that passionate winner of souls, although well acquainted with the practice, firmly refused to adopt it and even criticized it severely. He refused to direct anyone to an altar or to the front of a building.

FAQ 16: “Invitations and Altar Calls” – EastPointe Bible Church Peru, IN

www.ebcperu.org

 

[Rescued One]

Why mention imperfect faith? If God gives us faith so we can be saved, and every good and perfect gift is from above(James 1:17) would He give us imperfect faith? I'm finding thoughts that challenge my beliefs!

Should I move a mountain or become a Christian?

 

[prism]

would He give us imperfect faith?

The problem is not His gift but what remains in us...

Galatians 5:17 KJV
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Romans 7:18 KJV
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

 

[Carbon]

Why?

Well, street evangelism can go a few different ways depending on the system of belief the evangelist is. As far as alter calls, it is a practice that teaches salvation is man's choice.

 

[Carbon]

Is it because Baptists don't believe in baptismal regeneration?

Not sure how you come to that conclusion.

 

[Carbon]

Sorry, what do "altar calls" have to do with baptismal regeneration? I don't see your point.

I agree, I'm not seeing it either.

 

[Rescued One]

The problem is not His gift but what remains in us...

Galatians 5:17 KJV
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Romans 7:18 KJV
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

I know we aren't perfect, but I still believe faith that saves is perfect.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1

"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Romans 8:9

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

 

[Rescued One]

Not sure how you come to that conclusion.

That was a question not a conclusion.

 

[Rescued One]

What the unsaved and/or heretical do doesn't change our behavior in any direction. It's just about doing our best according to Scripture and ability and calling.

Did you think I was looking to cults for direction? I wasn't --- not for one second! Jesus never told us to do that! People might look at the posts before mine and realize what I'm responding to.