Bruce S Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 (edited) The "Alter Call" ... A fixture in many protestant church's today, the wrap up, when the service is over, ... You are called, if not a believer, to come, give your life, begin the process. Most of the time, the pastor will do an emotionally charged ending, working those in the pews ... visitors .. to make some choice, to not just leave...but act. For many church's, there are people there, at the altar, for as long as 1/2 hour after the service, not praying in pews, but up there, formally with deacons giving their lives for the first time... Why isn't this done in the Catholic Church? Just wondering. Edited January 11, 2004 by Bruce S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Because it's not in the Bible. Altar calls are never mentioned there. And they were never a part of Sacred Tradition either. Altar calls are a man-made thing that was introduced in Protestantism centuries after Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaustinaVianney Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Isn't going up to receive Communion kind of an altar call?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLAZEr Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 The "Alter Call" ... A fixture in many protestant church's today, the wrap up, when the service is over, ... You are called, if not a believer, to come, give your life, begin the process. Most of the time, the pastor will do an emotionally charged ending, working those in the pews ... visitors .. to make some choice, to not just leave...but act. For many church's, there are people there, at the altar, for as long as 1/2 hour after the service, not praying in pews, but up there, formally with deacons giving their lives for the first time... Why isn't this done in the Catholic Church? Just wondering. Because faith is not a showy act, we try to avoid things that look like the Parisees standing on street corners . . . But it's also not done because faith for us is in the context of a family, the Family of God. That's what we believe about Christ being born as our brother. And in families, you don't have to stand up and proclaim anything, you just do your business and lead people to the father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Also responding to some pastor's emotional plea to be saved, rarely gives one the staying power of a lifetime. Choosing God is a deliberate act of the will, not just the heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce S Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Also responding to some pastor's emotional plea to be saved, rarely gives one the staying power of a lifetime. Choosing God is a deliberate act of the will, not just the heart. It has to happen with an invitiation for most. A definitive act, one that defines "before from after" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cure of Ars Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 It has to happen with an invitiation for most. A definitive act, one that defines "before from after" The Bible uses Baptism for the Christian definitive act that changes "before from after" because you recieve the Holy Spirit and become a part of the family of God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Also responding to some pastor's emotional plea to be saved, rarely gives one the staying power of a lifetime. Choosing God is a deliberate act of the will, not just the heart. Do you really think salvation is 100% human led and secured? That is not the Bible I read. Not at all. Mine says that at salvation Jesus does this: Our substitution for punishment (1 John 2:1, Isa 53:5, 2 Cor 5:21, Gal 3:13), redeemed us from sin to righteousness (Gal 3:13, Eph 1:7, Rom 3:24,5:9), reconciled us to God from hostility to harmony (Mt 5:24, 2 Cor 5:18-19), and satisfying the eternal wrath of God forever (Rom 3:25-26; 5:9; 1 Jhn 2:2), and placing us 'in Christ' so we might be justified (in Christ's death burial resurrection Rom6:5;8:1;1Cor1:2,1:30;2Cor5:17;Gal3:28;Eph1:3;2:6;1Th.4:16;1Pet5:14, it is a mystery (Col. 1:26-27), it is because of God's declaration (1 Cor 1:30, Eph. 2:6), it is via the baptism of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:13, and we are now crucified (Gal 2:20, Rom 6:11), dead (Rom 7:14), Resurrected (Rom 6:11-23), and seated currently with Christ (Eph 2:6)). This made us righteous forever (Rom5:21;8:1,32-34;Heb10:14;Ps103:12;Isa44:22) and allows us to be pronounced just (Rom 3:26) and now at peace with God (Rom 5:1) And at salvation the Holy Spirit does this: Indwells us (John 7:37; Acts 11:16-17; Rom 5:5; 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:5) permanently (as Christians living in the flesh are still a temple of the Holy Spirit [1 Cor 6:19-20], and we are sealed by it (Eph 4:30)). It also regenerates us (making us born again) infusing new life (John 3:3, 5-8, 2 Cor 5:17) bringing a sinner from death (Eph 2:1) and corruption (3:7-18) and hostility (Rom 3:23) to a new life free from them. The regeneration allows us to please God (2 Cor 5:17, 1 John 2:29, 3:9) and bear fruit (Gal 5:22-26). It also baptizes us into the body (1 Cor 12:13) and to Christ Himself (Rom 6:1-10). It also seals us until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30, Rom 8:23 i.e. eternal security). The agent of sealing is also God as wel (2 Cor 1:22). It also sanctifies us positionally (seen in OT 'set apart' for law Ex 33:16; Lev 19:2,21; Ezek 37:28) by being apart from the domination of sin (Eph 1:3-4, Col 2:11, 1 Thess 4:3, 5:23). because God the father choose us before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). But of course this is my personal interpretation and I have nothing to back me up. I suppose I can't understand even the commentator's teachings either since that is my personal interpretation. I'm sure you can't even understand what I wrote either! Perhaps I should write another post to explain this one. English isn't really an easy thing to read. You need that extra boost from the Holy Spirit to make sure you know how to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katholikos Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 The altar call is unbiblical and is based on a man-made concept of Christianity, one of instantaneous salvation, which allegedly results from "accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior." The Catholic Church worships according to the teachings of Christ and His Apostles. "Do THIS in remembrance of me." The Mass is a sacrifice -- a re-presentation of Calvary. We are literally kneeling at the foot of Calvary, where Christ is truly present. Christ didn't issue any "altar calls" at Calvary -- or any other time -- nor did the Apostles. The practice in unknown in the NT -- and it is unknown in history until the birth of evangelicalism in the 16th century and later. JMJ Likos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Likos, read my post above and explain how all those things mentioned are not true and I might consider you when you say "The altar call is unbiblical... one of instantaneous salvation.. which allegedly results from accepted Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior." If you can't figure out how all those verses fit into a "non-instantaneous" salvation, then don't bother. Scripture is quite clear on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cure of Ars Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Why do you call it an “alter call” when Protestants don’t have alters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 (edited) some have altars. all had altars when it was begun. those that don't anymore - it just means the front of the room. Edited January 11, 2004 by Circle_Master Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cure of Ars Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 some have altars. all had altars when it was begun. those that don't anymore - it just means the front of the room. I though Luther rejected the Mass as a sacrifice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Salvation is almost instaneous: Just add water. And proper form. So, Bruce, this act that you feel is necessary for salvation: how does that square with, say, "we're not saved by our works" which you also claim to believe? You call the reception of Sacraments "works," such as going up to receive Jesus, going into the confession to receive absolution, going before a priest or deacon for marriage, yet going up to an altar (which, incidentally---where's the altar???????? Why do you call it an altar call without an altar? I see no altar in the Pentecostal buildings I have visited, and they number quite a few! If there is an altar, where is the SACRIFICE? You guys aren't connected to your Jewish roots very well.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 Let me define this for you - you seem very ignorant of protestant things. An altar call is when the Pastor gives an invitation for someone to come to Christ and repent of his past. The person comes forward to where the altar used to be and the person gets saved. An altar is the stand at the front of the room on which the Pastor could put his bible, or other stuff. It is not a sacrificial altar - it is another word for podium. Sheesh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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