are Altar calls even biblical?

[Yeshua1]

13 Weeks to do what?

To explore the Doctrines of Grace?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

To explore the Doctrines of Grace?

If its indoctrination ....I'm not for it. But I don't know. Recently I went to a Non-Denom church who wanted me to join & then they would provide the 13 week course....I think Salty said he was doing it prior to joining. Anyway, we as Old Schoolers dont believe in that type of thing, much less SS. We have our reasons.

 

[Amy.G]

Anyway, we as Old Schoolers dont believe in that type of thing, much less SS. We have our reasons.

I don't understand why some people have a problem with SS. That's really the heart of the church. It's where you can interact personally with other members in a way that can't be done in a congregational setting. It's where you can dialogue and ask questions about scripture. It's where you get to really know people. It's my favorite part of church.

 

[Yeshua1]

If its indoctrination ....I'm not for it. But I don't know. Recently I went to a Non-Denom church who wanted me to join & then they would provide the 13 week course....I think Salty said he was doing it prior to joining. Anyway, we as Old Schoolers dont believe in that type of thing, much less SS. We have our reasons.

What do 'old School" traditionally believe in?

 

[Salty]

13 Weeks to do what?

First, 13 weeks would be for a new Christian.

At the moment, there is a discussion going on with was started by Evangelist

He is considering joining a certain IFB church, but there is a situation with baptism.

I recommended he take a close look at the constitution and articles of Faith.

The reason I proposed that was it can be a problem for an individual to join a church which has significant differences in doctrine. Likewise, would a church really want someone to join their church if that individual has extremely different views?

 

[Yeshua1]

First, 13 weeks would be for a new Christian.

At the moment, there is a discussion going on with was started by Evangelist

He is considering joining a certain IFB church, but there is a situation with baptism.

I recommended he take a close look at the constitution and articles of Faith.

The reason I proposed that was it can be a problem for an individual to join a church which has significant differences in doctrine. Likewise, would a church really want someone to join their church if that individual has extremely different views?

Don't most Baptist churches, like mine, require one to agree with their listed statement of beliefs though in order to have membership?

 

[saturneptune]

AMEN, Brother.

A God called pastor, should have a God given ability to discern, at least to the needed degree, truth that lies behind a profession of faith. Whether one walks the isle during an alter call or talks privately with him at some other time.

He should have the ability to invite a person who walked the isle to immediately come before the congregation for membership. He should have the ability to delay that invitation based on his discernment.

On this point, the pastor is truly the shepherd of the flock. IMO, if a congregation can't put their trust in his discernment of what his ears have heard, there is something wrong.

There is plenty of time to learn after conversion. The rest of the person's life, in fact. At least I know that's true in my case. Between this morning and the time I'm called home, I'll never learn all that's still left to be learned while still here on earth.

It's also the responsiblity of the assembly of believers to teach by actual instruction and the way they live their lives what a new convert needs to understand, as he or she begins to walk the narrow path of faith in our Saviour.

Thanks for the reponse, and yes, I do agree, I do believe a pastor's intuition can delay a person joining if he feels it needs further examination or growth on the part of the candidate. What I am totally against as unBiblical is it applying as a general rule to everyone who wants to join. If one wants that, become a Catholic. Being accepted as a member upon professing Jesus Christ is a Biblical and Baptist distinctive.

 

[saturneptune]

First, 13 weeks would be for a new Christian.

At the moment, there is a discussion going on with was started by Evangelist

He is considering joining a certain IFB church, but there is a situation with baptism.

I recommended he take a close look at the constitution and articles of Faith.

The reason I proposed that was it can be a problem for an individual to join a church which has significant differences in doctrine. Likewise, would a church really want someone to join their church if that individual has extremely different views?

Anyone with any common sense would have examined the church bylaws, Constitution, and covenant before even contemplating walking to the altar for membership.

 

[saturneptune]

I don't understand why some people have a problem with SS. That's really the heart of the church. It's where you can interact personally with other members in a way that can't be done in a congregational setting. It's where you can dialogue and ask questions about scripture. It's where you get to really know people. It's my favorite part of church.

As a SS director, I agree.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

As a SS director, I agree.

So who does the teaching & to what age group?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I don't understand why some people have a problem with SS. That's really the heart of the church. It's where you can interact personally with other members in a way that can't be done in a congregational setting. It's where you can dialogue and ask questions about scripture. It's where you get to really know people. It's my favorite part of church.

Isn't that a Bible study?

 

[Salty]

Don't most Baptist churches, like mine, require one to agree with their listed statement of beliefs though in order to have membership?

In theory yes - In actual practice -for the most part - NO

Anyone with any common sense would have examined the church bylaws, Constitution, and covenant before even contemplating walking to the altar for membership.

Problem is that common sense is not that common

...Being accepted as a member upon professing Jesus Christ is a Biblical and Baptist distinctive.

So what you are saying is that salvation (even before baptism) makes you a (local) church member; with no church vote or any other action.

 

[Amy.G]

Isn't that a Bible study?

Yes. That's what SS is. Why are you against it?

 

[Amy.G]

So who does the teaching & to what age group?

Teachers? :laugh:

There are classes for all ages groups. In addition, there are men's classes, women's classes, and mixed. There are also classes for singles, married couples, teenagers and various age groups of children. It all depends on the needs of your particular church and the willingness of people to step up to teach.

 

[Salty]

Yes. That's what SS is. Why are you against it?

From what I've heard, the Bible does not speak of Sunday School.
If thats the case, I suppose their church buildings do not have air condition. Wait - there were no church buildings in the New Test.
Actually the beginning of Sunday School was for this reason

 

[Amy.G]

From what I've heard, the Bible does not speak of Sunday School.
Actually the begining of Sunday School was for this reason

What is your point? Should we stop having SS? Should we rename it?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Teachers? :laugh:

There are classes for all ages groups. In addition, there are men's classes, women's classes, and mixed. There are also classes for singles, married couples, teenagers and various age groups of children. It all depends on the needs of your particular church and the willingness of people to step up to teach.

Shouldn't it be the pastor that teaches & if so then why shouldn't he be teaching everyone. Did Jesus ever seperate people?

 

[Salty]

What is your point? Should we stop having SS? Should we rename it?

I am a full supporter of SS!

Shouldn't it be the pastor that teaches & if so then why shouldn't he be teaching everyone. Did Jesus ever separate people?

The best way to learn is to teach!
Did Jesus forbid us to separate people?
Did Jesus command us not to separate children?

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" I Cor 13:11

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I am a full supporter of SS!


The best way to learn is to teach!
Did Jesus forbid us to separate people?
Did Jesus command us not to separate children?

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" I Cor 13:11

Yea well....practice on somebody else.

 

[saturneptune]

From what I've heard, the Bible does not speak of Sunday School.
If thats the case, I suppose their church buildings do not have air condition. Wait - there were no church buildings in the New Test.
Actually the beginning of Sunday School was for this reason

Finally we agree. I am a big supporter of Sunday School. I think each teacher at our church is a blessing from the Lord and very talented. I like your point about the church building. In fact, if the typical congregation of today was put back in the book of Acts, they would have a heart attack because they could not listen to their cell phone ring interrupt the service, or let their minds wander during the sermon about where they are going to eat. Actually, the only thing they would have is their mouths so they could still gossip.