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Decisional Regeneration? What about today’s popular “alter call”

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Salty

Salty

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Does a church have to have an altar call for people to be saved.
Of course not!

Can an altar call help some to make a decision for Christ
Of course it can.

Can an altar call be abused by the church
Of course it can (ie- come fwd - sign this card - and we baptize tonight)

Can the Altar call be a blessing for the church
Of course it can.

When I "close" the invitation, I will always mention that the invitation is never closed.
If someone wants to contact me later - I am always available.
 
1689Dave

1689Dave

Well-Known Member
Her
DaveXR650 said:
That's true and I didn't mean to contradict you. I also know people who did the same thing who are very close to me and I know people who live lives that are no different from the average worldling and they still look back to a time where they walked an aisle as if that act will protect them. I just don't think that an alter call in itself is always wrong.
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Here's the difference. In scripture, believers were baptized confirming their faith. If they are taught to confirm their faith (salvation) by going forward, that would be fine. But they are taught that their decision saved them instead. It is not only unscriptural, it short circuits their faith placing it in themselves.
 
M

MB

Well-Known Member
1689Dave said:
Her

Here's the difference. In scripture, believers were baptized confirming their faith. If they are taught to confirm their faith (salvation) by going forward, that would be fine. But they are taught that their decision saved them instead. It is not only unscriptural, it short circuits their faith placing it in themselves.
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I wasn't taught that my decision saved me. I walked the isle and I prayed to the Lord and asked Him to save me. I knew I was lost and I knew I needed Him in mt life. You accuse wrongly.
MB
 
A

AustinC

Well-Known Member
MB said:
I wasn't taught that my decision saved me. I walked the isle and I prayed to the Lord and asked Him to save me. I knew I was lost and I knew I needed Him in mt life. You accuse wrongly.
MB
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How did you know?
Who put that thought in your head?
Who brought you under conviction?
Was it merely the words of the preacher?
 
Salty

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
1689Dave said:
Her

. But they are taught that their decision saved them instead. It is not only unscriptural, it short circuits their faith placing it in themselves.
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Their decision WAS placing faith in Christ.
 
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1689Dave

1689Dave

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MB said:
I wasn't taught that my decision saved me. I walked the isle and I prayed to the Lord and asked Him to save me. I knew I was lost and I knew I needed Him in mt life. You accuse wrongly.
MB
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What if you did not ask the Lord to save you? The truth is, you were saved before it came to mind to do that. If you didn't already believe (possess salvation according to Christ) you would not have done that. But your faith was shifted away from Christ back into your actions as being what saved you. Get your theology right and it will give God the glory in salvation instead of yourself.
 
M

MB

Well-Known Member
1689Dave said:
Which means they didn't believe but decided to mimic believing. If you believe, you need not decide to believe.
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I have said many times that Romans 3 10-20 was what the sinner thinks. and here you are with what the sinner thinks
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Im not saying you are a sinner but you think like one.Though your using different words you are saying the type of things the fool said in his heart..
MB
 
DaveXR650

DaveXR650

Well-Known Member
1689Dave said:
What if you did not ask the Lord to save you? The truth is, you were saved before it came to mind to do that. If you didn't already believe (possess salvation according to Christ) you would not have done that. But your faith was shifted away from Christ back into your actions as being what saved you. Get your theology right and it will give God the glory in salvation instead of yourself.
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Have you ever met a saved person who has not asked the Lord to save him? What is the time period between being born again and doing something in response? AustinC's post above is an excellent explanation of the origins of a persons salvation. But you still do actually do something to get saved. (Now it is wrong to insist that the something is always a trip down the sawdust trail but you, yes you actually must repent and believe).
 
M

MB

Well-Known Member
1689Dave said:
What if you did not ask the Lord to save you? The truth is, you were saved before it came to mind to do that. If you didn't already believe (possess salvation according to Christ) you would not have done that. But your faith was shifted away from Christ back into your actions as being what saved you. Get your theology right and it will give God the glory in salvation instead of yourself.
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But I did ask It may be that I was saved before I asked but I don't know that, it's your suggestion. I felt the conpulsion to ask. the Bible says to ask.

Mat_7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Are you saying Christ didn't mean salvation?
MB
 
M

MB

Well-Known Member
DaveXR650 said:
Have you ever met a saved person who has not asked the Lord to save him? What is the time period between being born again and doing something in response? AustinC's post above is an excellent explanation of the origins of a persons salvation. But you still do actually do something to get saved. (Now it is wrong to insist that the something is always a trip down the sawdust trail but you, yes you actually must repent and believe).
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Mar_1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luk_13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Those who don't are not saved.
MB
 
M

MB

Well-Known Member
1689Dave said:
What if you did not ask the Lord to save you? The truth is, you were saved before it came to mind to do that. If you didn't already believe (possess salvation according to Christ) you would not have done that. But your faith was shifted away from Christ back into your actions as being what saved you. Get your theology right and it will give God the glory in salvation instead of yourself.
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What I believe is according to scripture.
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened
Why do you believe in your own theories. Your ideas are not found in scripture.
MB
 
Salty

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
Am I geting the influence that some of you believe that it is WRONG to have an altar call?
 
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1689Dave

1689Dave

Well-Known Member
DaveXR650 said:
Have you ever met a saved person who has not asked the Lord to save him? What is the time period between being born again and doing something in response? AustinC's post above is an excellent explanation of the origins of a persons salvation. But you still do actually do something to get saved. (Now it is wrong to insist that the something is always a trip down the sawdust trail but you, yes you actually must repent and believe).
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In my experience, God sent the Holy Spirit into my heart at a time I wasn't looking for salvation. This caused me to believe in Christ apart from any act of the will. The experience caused me to believe.
 
Y

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
SavedByGrace said:
Firstly, there can be no salvation without the sinner both REPENTING and BELIEVING in the Gospel Message, as Jesus clearly says in Mark 1:15

Secondly, no sinner is saved without personally being involved in their salvation, which is a Gift, and like all gifts, must be RECEIVED.

Thridly, for the sinner even to BELIEVE, means that they must PUT their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Saviour.

Fourthly, God does not REPENT and BELIEVE for the sinner, it is something they must DO, as is very clear from Acts 2:37-38

Any other way is a FALSE gospel, that can NEVER save any sinner!
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None who ever were saved received Jesus as Lord apart from the enabling of and by the Holy Spirit, as He makes sure all to get saved do get saved!
 
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