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Permalink Reply by alan walton on November 2, 2011 at 5:07am

thanks for posting this Zomok...I'm going to be asking you a few questions ....I know you to be very knowledgeable....

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Permalink Reply by alan walton on November 2, 2011 at 5:21am

@ Zomok...I grew up in a church, where the altar call was given at the end of the service, but I noticed, that most of those doing them did not lead to a change in their lives....my brother, must have made at least 6 or 7 himself...no change...the church I attend now, Northstar, here in Panama City, Fl. does not give an altar call...we also do not have the traditional Sunday School...I was familar with growing up...we have what they call...'small groups'....personally I find that this seems to be more in line with the teaching of the early chuch by the apostles........your input on these....small groups...and the danger of altar calls, would be appreciated...one of the dangers I see with the altar calls is the false sense of salvation it may give one who has not really been born-again, & also that it intrudes on the public acknowledgement of a prfession of faith that the act of baptism is for...

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Permalink Reply by Zomok, steve on November 2, 2011 at 6:56am

@Alan.  I don't see any genuine value in "altar calls" and I see no Biblical indication for a minister to call for one.  If a person is not moved or called by God an altar call will not amount to anything, but, on the other hand, if a person is responding to God and really believes, in Jesus, than the "altar call" would interfere with the true public profession of faith..baptism. Ministers should simply preach and teach the gospels and bible truths.  The "altar call" is a time filler, and I would say this is one reason to have one.  Of course there are exceptions to most things.  I suppose such a call might encourage some people to be more bold in the profession of faith...

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As for small groups and cell churches...I think these have high value and several advantages.  A small group can be more easily taught and accommodated in a family home or room, especially when no regular meeting hall is available.  In general the Christian community in a certain city would be very small to start with, probably a single family.  An apostle would be planting a small congregation, which would grow, like a plant.  It would start like a seed and grow out. If we look at the Epistles of Paul, and John, we find that they generally were meeting with small groups, sometimes individuals.  In the Greek speaking cities of Asia Minor Paul found fertile ground and was able to communicate.  In Ephesus he evidently stayed with Aquilla and Priscilla, and meetings were held in their home.  Another good thing about small groups, in a family home, is that there is no stage for an act to be faked and the group would be more personal.

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Permalink Reply by alan walton on November 2, 2011 at 8:05am

@ Zomok....thank-you...

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Permalink Reply by Eloise on November 2, 2011 at 8:43am

Alan, our church has small groups of Bible Study.....Along with the Mid-Week Bible Study held at church....Some of our Church members live in other towns and counties, and especially during the winter, it can be hard to make it in to church....So, they do the next thing, and hold a Bible Study in their homes, for others who live in their same area.....

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Permalink Reply by Zomok, steve on November 2, 2011 at 1:54pm

These are good points Eloise.  It is my hope that over time a great deal of information will build up here so new christians will get practical helps and information.  It also will make them think.  If someone is holding a home Bible study then they are not likely to be watching a televangelist.  Another thing too:  In the Hebrew way of thinking, the act of researching and study is a form of worship!!!

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Permalink Reply by alan walton on November 20, 2011 at 2:54pm

I agree Eloise....meeting in homes is the way they did it in the early church....the church I attend has small groups as well most meet in other members homes sometimes some may meet in the church building.... 

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Permalink Reply by Diane on April 5, 2012 at 1:59am

ours do too alter calls work if the person really is serious it's a heart condtion and if they mean it then it's real. shalom

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Permalink Reply by Diane on May 12, 2012 at 4:42am

It's a heart issue and a growing of growth issue we start as babes and babies can't eat lobster. Gbu

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Jackson on October 16, 2012 at 5:11am

I firmly believe in altar calls as well as cells. When I preached it was at the altar call that many came forward, and such to seen as the coming forward of the GREAT Billy Graham.

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Permalink Reply by Eloise on October 16, 2012 at 7:26am

@ Jeffrey

The Altar calls at Crusades, have hundreds of people going up to accept Jesus as their Savior, but.....

Let's suppose that the hundreds, are seeds that have been planted....Some land on the rock, but they have no room to grow, they sprout, but die soon after, some land on dry ground, but they just lay there and scorch (burn) from the sun, and finally there are those who have landed on fertile ground....They are watered, fed, and nourished, and sprout to full growth.....

Do you understand what I'm saying here?  Out of all those who answer the altar call, not all, as a matter of fact, very few will continue their walk with the Lord.....Why?

Because once they leave the Crusade, they are on their own once more....They were caught up in the moment...Therefore it really didn't mean a thing to them, but....

There are those few, who answered and were very serious in their repentance, and those are indeed souls won for Christ Jesus.....

 

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Permalink Reply by shelia on October 16, 2012 at 8:57am

that is when we need to find those who were crowded out and help "nurture" them so they woun't wither away and die.

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