Bible Question: I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING FAITH BAPTIST CHRUCH AND WAS THINKING ABOUT CHANGING MY LETTER, WHEN I NOTICED THERE WASN'T EVER AN INVITATION AT THE END OF THE SERVICES. WE ASKED AND IT WAS EXPLAINED TO US WE WOULD HAVE TO BE REVIEWED BY A GROUP OF 3 ELDERS AND THEY DECIDE IF WE ARE TRULY SAVED BEFORE WE COULD JOIN. MY QUESTION IS: I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PRACTICE IN A BAPTIST CHURCH DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INSIGHT ON THIS, OR IS THIS SOMETHING I NEED TO LET ALONE. THANK SANDRA |
Bible Answer: Dear sqkeener, I noticed that you took exception to the fact that there was no invitation at the end of of the service. Was the gospel proclaimed? Was Christ glorified? If so the Holy Spirit was moving in the hearts of the congregation. I did a search on "Altar Call" and failed to find it in the New Testament. "What is often shocking to many who use the modern invitation system is that the altar call is just that modern. The practice, although widespread, is a very new phenomenon in the Christian church. For nearly nineteen centuries no one had ever heard of the practice. Such well known evangelists as George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and even John Wesley had never even heard of such a custom. And Charles Spurgeon, that passionate winner of souls par excellence, although well acquainted with the practice, firmly refused to adopt it and even criticized it severely." Fred G. Zaspel Hopalong |