Altar Calls: Emotional Manipulation or True Conversion? | Steve Lawson
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- čas přidán 5. 10. 2023
- Many preachers dumb down the gospel, lead a parroting prayer, and then give an altar call. In this video, Dr. Steven J. Lawson shares with Costi Hinn how a preacher can faithfully lead people to true salvation in Christ Jesus.
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The hardest person in the world to reach with the Gospel, is someone who thinks they're save, but they're not saved. -Steve Lawson
And many reformed people are part of these.
@@billmartinn9851 Many people from all denominations, especially the theatrical ones
Lawson is inconsistent if he thinks we reach anyone for change. How man centered. All is ordained, right?
@@billmartinn9851there are some, but it is less then in other groups. Partly because there is such a strong focus on salvation being wholly a work of the lord and salvation being by grace and faith alone.
So here is my personal experience with altar calls. I didn't even attend church until 2001, and that was only because I was in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. Three weeks in on a Wednesday night, the pastor has everyone bow their heads and close their eyes. Whatever he said sounded good to me and I raised my hand. Those of us who did walked forward, were met by a pastor, and prayed the prayer. I went home that night and told my friends I "got saved". But as Dr. Lawson said, had no idea what I was doing. I didn't stay long at that church and years later, would learn it is a Word of Faith church. Fast forward 6 years... I've been attending church regularly and attending 12 step programs. My friend invited me to his church. It was a Pentecostal church, but I didn't know what that meant either. But as the pastor spoke, my heart lit up. By this point I had seen enough altar calls to know what I was doing. That was January 7, 2007 and I walked out of church that day a new creation. The point is when the real conversion time came around, there was no emotional manipulation, I was ready to surrender to Christ. I would stay in that church for another 6 years and now knowing what I know, saw PLENTY of what I believe to be false conversions sparked by hyped up music and theatrics. I agree with Pastors Costi and Steve that altar calls are not necessary (and even intimidating)...I believe when the Spirit is drawing someone to Christ, they will respond no matter the context. But it has to be a decision based on the gospel, repentance, and belief that Jesus is who He says He is.
I also know plenty of people saved during an alter call, but the point I would make is that God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick. I disagree with the methodology, and think it does more harm than good, but I rejoice that God can still use it for the good of His people
I would ask you do you know how many people walked away from that first alter call that actually had their light up experience? And I have to say from your own testimony that eventually when you eventually got it was it now at an alter cal?. I have to wonder if your first response did more for you than you realized. Unless the Holy Spirit is drawing you there is no salvation. Calling the drawing of the Holy Spirit an emotional manipulation is pretty dangerous thing. It will make people question their salvation or discourage Pastors from making those alter calls where many are drawn to by the Holy Spirit and pass on an opportunity to make a public confession of faith. Costi Hinn was involved in his uncle's ministry, and he saw a lot of hypocrisy and abuse of the gifts and callings of the Holy Spirit and has now rejected the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are Biblical. I think his reaction to many of the things Charismatics believe in are now being rejected by him not because of the scripture but because of false teachers using the gifts of the Spirit to draw attention to themselves and to build up themselves and their own bank accounts. The Reformed Church which he has become part of are in error of their own. Rejecting the continuation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and saying that anyone who believes in the continuation of the gifts are not even saved.
When a sentence starts, “here is my…”
@@lavadamorrison4569I would agree that the first experience in 2001 did begin my faith journey. But I don't believe I was born again that day. And yes, of course people can have similar encounters with God and He can use any situation for His glory. The hard part I had in the Pentecostal church are all the times the worship team was rocking out, the pastor yelling "play it again" over and over and people acting like they were at a concert. Then the ask to come forward was presented. I watched 50+ people respond. You'd have to be there and only God knows their hearts, but this seems like a good example of people responding based off of emotion rather than repentance. And if I'm not mistaken, examples like this are what led Paul Washer to preach his "Shocking Youth Message". Apparently there was a comedian on stage before him and he did an altar call. According to Tim Challies, people were still laughing from the jokes as they walked down front. People come to Christ in all forms, but if there is not true repentance and trust in Him alone, and not because of a musical or emotional high, then we can wonder if someone is truly being saved. And again as Paul Washer has mentioned, they may be even harder to reach after a false conversion.
@matthaviland5695 I agree. So many churches and pastors I do believe do not even know what true conversion is, I have to conclude that they’ve never experienced it themselves. The Holy Spirit draws and convicts BUT if the pastor himself is void of the spirit of Christ, how can he aid to bring about that trembling and fear in a person’s heart? Where, as one believer put it, the hymn book shook so hard in his hand that he couldn’t read the words as he fell under conviction. The minister has to act as an “agent” to invite, to plead, to warn those who would reject the callings of the Spirit. But what I see is a ritualistic altar call each and every Sunday even after jokes that the pastor told, and lighthearted comments during the sermon. I well remember the feeling and atmosphere of evangelistic services in the Mennonite church I grew up in, somber, serious, grave, even tears shed while pleading with sinners to give their heart to the Lord. You don’t preach about some point of theology, tell some jokes, complain about who’s president, etc and then expect to have people come forward at the altar call.
My Dad was a drunkard that roamed the streets shirtless and was hopeless. He walked into a church on thanksgiving day, heard the gospel preached, went up during the altar call and God transformed his life. Because of Gods love and grace I was born in a Christian home and had a loving Dad that was now a pastor. Can God use altar calls? Absolutely. Do people abuse altar calls? Absolutely! Just like we abuse and distort everything we touch. Gods grace and mercy uses whatever means necessary to redeem those he wishes to save.
The Lord saved me at the age of 4 back in '79. The pastor preached it so simple, so that I was able to understand it. That night I woke my Dad up three times under conviction. The third time my Dad realized what was happening and, just as he was about to lead me through the plan of salvation, I just started talking to the Lord. I didn't need an alter call cause, God had a place where He intended to save me. PRAISE THE LORD! ✝️❤️✝️❤️✝️
I was truly born again at an alter call. I became a Calvinist and I'm opposed to them now. Down through the years I've seen damage done creating religionists and spiritual abortions. I was the exception to the rule. Thank God. Ex Arminian Calvinist.
"The hardest person in the world to reach with the Gospel is someone who thinks they're saved but they're not saved." Wow. What a solid point to end on!
With a true repentance, an altar call is one way to acknowledge one’s admission to needing a Saviour.
Just because someone knows they need a Savior, doesn't mean that they are ready to put their faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross to pay the penalty for their sins. Without Faith, Noone can be saved. In that case, the person just repeats empty words
@@triciachampine5807 that's why he said "with a true repentance" lol
This is excellent. I was born again sitting in my bed reading a Bible my friend gave to me. The Gospel of John really did it for me. I repented with tears and gave my life to the Lord right then and there. After a while I began attending a church where they had altar calls and I always felt uncomfortable about it. I would see people raise their hands and walk forward and say the prayer etc. but over the years I saw no fruit in their lives that they had been born again. It’s so sad that many people are false converts. The Lord led me out of that church and to a Biblical church.
I have no difficulty proclaiming the gospel with clarity and conviction. It's the Holy Spirit's job to do the converting, and I have full trust and faith in God's ability to use His gospel, as laid out in scripture, to turn the hearts of His children if the gospel is rightly proclaimed.
For years, I’ve believed this; the alter call has given birth to many false believers. Most have recited ‘a prayer’ without conviction or faith. I’m happy to hear this be a conversation on such a huge platform. Thank you 🙏🏾❤️
My mother was saved at a Billy Graham crusade! She’s been a committed Christian all of her life!
When you understand scripture you understand Chruch is truly for those who have already accepted Christ. We’ve made it the place where you receive Him. I had excepted Christ before I got to church and once I was there I was baptized. We need to witness to folks long before the walk I. Church. Just my thoughts and strong belief
I’ve got some bad news for you: “excepting Christ” doesn’t appear anywhere in the Bible
Wow wow wow, I could listen to him speak all day everyday. I’ll have the blessing of sitting under his teaching the end of this month in Dallas. 2 sessions of teaching on the reformers- so excited. Thank you Costi for your commitment to bringing the truth to the world.
I am just getting to know who he is and hardly heard him that much until recently. Love Romans 1:16 where it is the power of the Holy Spirit that convicts hearts unto salvation. Have a blessed trip in Dallas. ✝️
The story that this whole conversation reminded me of is the woman at the well. Just Jesus and her - no one else around. A beautiful example of how God is personally interested in each of us and how when He touches our life, our response is to tell others about it. ❤
The wisdom in this is amazing. You can see the 50 years of ministry coming out in everything he says
Incorrect. His statements about Charles Finney are, quite simply, the most ignorant thing I’ve ever heard, and that’s saying something
@@markimisides2874 Finney denied penal substitutionary atonement. That is heresy since Jesus Christ did drink our cup of wrath that we deserved on the cross
Excellent discussion about altar calls. I loved the analogy Charles Spurgeon drew of the wounded deer! ❤
I have never heard this from C.S. and so glad that I did. I do remember the awkward moments growing up with alter calls though.
Praise God that he draws us to Himself. Wherever that may be.
It’s about the heart. God sees our true motives. For some the altar call is what that individual may need to others it is the 1 on 1 interactions. What’s important is the heart. If the individual is truly responding to an invitation and he proclaims with his mouth Jesus is Lord and believes God raises him from the dead he will be saved. The invitation however isn’t limited to the altar. God can meet that person wherever they are at.
he question you need to be asking yourself is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! You’re soul depends on it!
@@warmed1 that prayer? What are you referring too? The sinners prayer? If that’s the case there is no such thing as a sinners prayer in scriptures. Saying a “prayer” will not save you. The only thing that can save you is believing in Jesus Christ. Romans 10 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This verse says “believe in your heart” doesn’t mention that saying a “prayer” will save you.
We somewhat agree as you say the sinner's prayer is not in the Bible, but according to the Bible, there are 4 other things that have to be done to be saved beyond Confession of faith in Jesus. He said in John 8:24 we must believe He is the Son of God. He also said in Luke 13:3 that people must repent. He also said in Mark 16:15-16 we must be baptized. We see all of these things repeated in the Book of Acts by His Apostles this is how a person is saved. @@realdealneal3189
@@HaroldZwingley you are correct the interaction is between the sinner and God but He can use his people to minister to others. I was responding to this video in how this pastor talks to people about Jesus. Just like how the Holy Spirit commanded Philip in Acts 8 starting at verse 29. He goes and talks to a gentleman about what he is reading and helps him understand the good news. Then he proceeds with baptism.
In regards to “faith” faith is trust. This is what I was taught faith to mean . If I have faith in Jesus it’s not because of believing what I don’t see, but because I trust him. I have seen how he works in my life and have seen him set me free from lust. I know Jesus because I have a relationship with him and with that relationship comes “faith”- trusting in Him.
But I do agree that what some may “say” and what some may “do” is completely backwards. They say they believe but any evidence of salvation is not at all there. This is where God truly sees the heart of the individual and knows the motives behind their actions. God knows when someone truly is coming to Him through his son Jesus for salvation and who isn’t. There are many so called Christian’s today that look and act more like the world than they do followers of Christ. Their is a huge differences between saying your a follower and living it out. Just like there is a difference between an acquaintance with a person and actually having a friendship with them.
Hope you all have a blessed day.
How many of the prayers that you pray are word for word in the bible? Even the Lord's prayer was an example and exhibited the principals of prayer. It was an example. So, if we were to agree with your advice, we could only pray the prayers that we see in scripture. If a person responds to an alter call and prays a pray of repentance and acknowledges that Jesus is Lord and asks for forgiveness and receives that gift of salvation and they are doing so with their heart and with understanding the gospel message they are responding to they are saved. Who are they to make such judgments. Maybe in the churches they attended manipulation may be taking place, but I would be willing to say even then many are being saved when they respond to an alter call to give their lives to Christ. @@warmed1
Always a little leery of dogmatism one way or the other on this issue of “altar calls/invitations.” I believe this can be an appropriate opportunity for people to respond immediately and publicly to God’s working in their life and know there are people willing and prepared to help them.
Yes, this can become carnal manipulation and a numbers game too.
It took me a few times to finally come up to the Alter call because it was somewhat intimidating.
I went to a very large church and yes they had cameras.
I seen a senior woman with white long hair being baptized Saturday night.
The next morning at church I came forward when the alter call was called I came forward and talked to pastor Tim.
I currently now attend Trinity Bible Church in Dallas and go deep into the word when Steve Lawson preaches.
A church I used to go to taught their interns to “Fly the plane”
- Turn on the engines by dimming the lights & turning on the smoke machine.
- Taxi to the runway with repeating a note on the keyboard or gently rolling cymbals.
- Line up the plane, say something profound and the take off!
Sadly several interns left the faith because they thought they were in the business of scamming people.
My church does altar calls but we only look at it as a time set aside at the end of the service for prayer whether corporately or individually. Our pastor has never taught that you have to walk down the aisle to be saved or tried to manipulate or arm twist anybody.
I know too many people who think they're saved who made some "decision" like this and then walked away convinced that they had made their peace with God and that was that.
I love Steve Lawson's heart! The fact that he will take time to talk to people even if they are shy.
I wasn't sure what he was going to say when I read the title but he explained what I think but did it better than I could have explained it.
People hang their hats on a emotional experience along with an insurance policy. Feelings come and go. My fear is that when the feeling goes the confusion starts
I was most definitely saved at an altar call when I was 13 years old. I don't remember a word that preacher said that day but I know for a fact that I was compelled and drawn forward by the Holy Spirit when the altar call was given. I found myself in a puddle of tears, repenting and being received by my savior. Afterwards, I gave a public confession of faith and I was prayed for again. I did not grow up in the church and this was a "random" day that I went. God appointed that day for my salvation, it was not up to me, or any altar call or preacher; it was all the intricate, miraculous, personal, beautiful work of God!
I have seen a lot of weird altar calls in various churches in the 25 years since the day that I was born again. I understand what these guys are talking about. But God saves whom he will, wherever and however he will, and he uses all things for good, for those he predestined and calls. He uses it all!
By the power of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to understand and respond to the Gospel (like Lydia in Acts 16). How can you respond to the Gospel without understanding it?
@@nberrios777 who said I didn't understand the Gospel?? Obviously I did; I just described my response to my understanding of the Good News, which was my salvation experience; my testimony. Salvation is a miracle, who can understand it completely? I was born again that day, and no one who is born, physically or by the Spirit, can choose that situation. God does all the work and gets all the Glory! So grateful he brought me to life.
@@klyh19 I didn’t say we have to understand the salvation process, I said we have to understand the Gospel.
How can anyone assume that you understood the Gospel after you wrote, “I don’t remember a word that preacher said?” It would be safe to assume the preacher proclaimed the Gospel because the Bible says sinners are saved by its power. So, how can you not remember such wonderful news from the preacher’s sermon through which the Holy Spirit enabled you and compelled you to trust in Christ, repent, and follow Him?
If you understood the Gospel, then this issue is moot. But your comment leads people to believe you didn’t understand the Gospel.
@@nberrios777 I suppose I can see where you're coming from and I don't mind clarifying, or at least trying.
I definitely do not remember what the preacher said that day. However, what I am sure of is that I encountered our Living, Holy God, I understood I was a sinner and that Jesus was my salvation. The sky was bluer and the grass was greener, like someone had turned the lights on in me, and I had Joy like I'd never known. I was a changed person and this I began my pilgrimage with Jesus.
I've now been walking with Jesus for 25 years and have a deeply personal relationship with the Triune God; The Lord is my Shepherd.
I could give you more details but I'm typing with my thumbs, which is slow and tedious, and what good would it do anyway? You'll either believe me or you won't; and it's no matter to me. I am simply sharing my testimony in what Jesus did for me. We can't put God in a box; He's wild and untamable, the Lion of Judah! He chose us from the foundations of the earth. Our salvation experience is simply when He comes close to us and we become aware of what he wants us to know; an illumination of the truth, a peeling back of the Veil, an encounter with the Living God... And we respond in brokenness, humility and repentance. He makes us know things in our spirit that no one could tell us, preacher or otherwise. The Holy Spirit drew me to salvation, not the preacher, that's why I don't recall his words. But when God speaks to you, *you know* and you don't forget, and you don't go unchanged.
If you haven't had a life changing encounter with the Living God of the Bible like Isaiah or Abraham or Paul, Peter, Jonah, and everyone in between, then I highly encourage you to ask Him for that and pursue knowing Him in a personal way. He's the same God now as He was in the Old Testament; eternal, fascinating, wild, holy and love Itself.
Back in the OT it was the priests and prophets and a handful of others that encountered and knew God. After Jesus death, burial, resurrection and ascension, then the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had promised, we are all made priests and prophets to God, as he dwells inside all believers now! We are his Temple now, his dwelling place! What a miracle! We are encouraged by Paul in his letters to pursue these things. It is by the power and working of the Holy Spirit in us that we are enabled to live the Christian life, pick up our crosses and follow Jesus, building the Kingdom of God as living stones.
Blessings to you in your diligence for the Truth! Remember, Jesus is the Truth, the Truth is a person. He's the LIVING Word in FLESH and SPIRIT. Jesus is ALIVE and returning as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! And he is Immanuel, near us! He's our Healer and Comforter, Counselor and my very Best Friend. Maranatha, fam!
Love this, I think that it is important for churches to analyze the way they conduct their services, the Bible is first and foremost we need to make sure people know who God is and how to be saved by Him. I have mixed oppinions on the altar call but as long as there is a clear teaching of the Word I believe God can save those who listen and believe.
That's right. Romans 1:16 ✝️
He literally does not state one verse to make his point but then you say the Bible is first. Rewatch the video, not 1 verse is mentioned. I am not saying the alter call is perfect, but his thesis for why its wrong was completely made with his opinions, not the Bible.
I love this! It reminds me to keep everything personal. An altar call is not personal. It’s a bunch of people getting up in front of a church in front of an altar and sang the sinners prayer and then going back to their seats. Where is the follow up? Where is the connection to the community in the church? Where is the discipleship? Where as What Dr. Lawson is talking about is personal discipleship. Talking to someone one on one answering their questions. Praying with them doing exactly what Jesus and the disciples did. This personal relationship with the person having questions is a mirror of the personal relationship we have with Jesus Christ! If we have a personal relationship with him, shouldn’t we have a personal relationship with the person leading us to Christ? It only makes sense.
This is so good! I grew up in churches with these types of altar calls and I'm saddened at how many of those folks are not in the faith today. I myself always felt like I had to manipulate folks to respond. Praise God, He is still saving folks out of deception and false conversion!
And how many who responded to those alter calls are still in the faith and had genuine conversations? Do you have that statistic? I think not. The parable of the Sower tells a more complete story of those that hear the gospel and respond and how and if they continue in the faith and why some of them fall away. It is not about the alter call it is about the person who responds to the message of the gospel.. Same thing about alter calls. I pray Pastors keep making alter calls. I got saved at an alter call and have been saved for nearly 50 years now. I was drawn to that alter by the Holy Spirit and went home that day a new creature in Christ.
I cry when i knew that Jesus still forgive a sinner like me who is rejected by all people since then i never cry again but feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit
I responded to an alter call and got saved. I've been saved for almost 50 years. Here is my opinion on alter calls. I believe we should continue making them, inviting people to come forward and give their lives to Jesus. Whether or not there is a true conversion is between the person making the confession and God. Sure, many walk away and like the parable of the Sower the seed is snatched away by the enemy etc, but many also walk away, and the seed has fallen on fertile ground and takes root. I got saved in a full gospel church and I also got baptized in the Holy Spirit while attending that church. I am feeling very sorry that there is so much criticism surrounding the practice of an alter call for salvation. Who are you to decide that making an alter call is ineffective and the results of the people responding is not real. At the alter call I responded to I was given a book and an invitation to attend a new believers class and they reached out to me to offer opportunities for discipleship. I been to many churches, and I find in the last 10 years or so there are no alter calls for salvation. The emphasis in always on healing and prayer for whatever is going on in their lives, which is great, but a healed body is useless without a redeemed soul.
Amen. I was saved at an altar call, too, when I was 13. God uses whatever means he wants to reveal himself to us! He also inspires the pastors to offer or not offer altar calls. Folks need to focus on doing what the Lord instructs them to do, not what another preacher says ought to be done! The Lord God Almighty is our standard and inspiration, not other men! So many people have been saved at altar calls but here these guys are wanting to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
I wish I could share this video with my local church, I have been thinking that is so manipulated and unrealistic the altar call, because it put the eyes on the "good works " instead the regenerated heart from the conviction of the Holy Spirit. God bless you and keeps giving you wisdom to guide others to Jesus.
you go to a charismatic leaning church?
❤ right, true. All the more reason one on one conversation privately is ten times deeply convicted, touched by the gospel and change. I personally have this experience with individuals when I was in ministry. It is the most rewarding gift of God, to be part of what Christ is doing, to witness right before your eyes. Amazing!!! Thank you. God bless ❤️
I so appreciate Dr. Lawson for his candid response, letting us know he too was there once... leading countless people to false conversions. More importantly, I appreciate his explanation of what he does now instead...resulting in thoughtful approach toward true conversion.
I WAS SAVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHEN I RAISED MY HAND IN MY APARTMENT ONE NIGHT, DEMANDED OF GOD WHO HE WAS. JESUS CAME TO ME BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND SAID TO MY SOUL: I AM JESUS, PRAY TO ME." I ALMOST DIED OF HAPPINESS AND COMPLETE ASTONISHMENT, CRAWLING TO BED AND CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP, POURING MY HEART OUT TO COMPLETELY CHANGE MY LIFE. WITHOUT ONE SINGLE HINGE OF SCRIPTURES, PASTORS, SIN, AND IN UNGODLY NEW AGE SWEDEN, JESUS IS JUST ANOTHER NEW AGE MASTER, AND THAT SOCIETY BRAGS THEY WILL KILL HIM AGAIN, IF HE SHOWS UP....
The ungodly that believes Jesus is just another new age master are deceived. Just wait, read Revelation, and you will find that Jesus is not coming back as a humble lowly servant, He is coming back as Lord with a sword of wrath. I pray for more souls to open their eyes. That the Holy Spirit convicts hearts. Romans 1:16 ✝️
@@cat-bg3rvWould that be the sword that comes out of his mouth and the blood he is covered in is his own.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Jesus that returns will have exactly the same character as when he first appeared.
Jesus came as Saviour of the World because the Father loved the World and that Christ might reconcile all things to himself, believe the Gospel.
The question you need to be asking yourself is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! Your soul depends on it!
That is wonderful and I got saved at an alter call in a church service one Wednesday night and got the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at home on my sofa. I don't think the churches that have alter calls are saying that is the only way or time you can get saved. I have been saved for almost fifty years and have been in several churches and never felt those alter calls were manipulative nor did I ever get the feeling that responding to an alter call was the only way or time to get saved. I don't like this video because I believe they are attacking the Church and the practice of inviting people to come to Christ in repentance for salvation. Usually, the churches that do alter calls also talk to people who respond and offer them follow up and invite them to come to discipleship classed and begin their journey and walk with Jesus. Jesus said to go out and make disciples not just converts.
I agree with Steve for the most part, but as a former isle walking forward Christian, I do feel that these walks can be legit. And yes Steve did say this. Walking the isle takes courage that I didn't have, mixed with fear, trembling, humility, and brokenness that I've never felt before. Whether or not I was actually saved or not at that time, I still don't know. But what I believe is that this was a part of God's plan to melt my heart of stone. Steve's point is spot on though. More churches practice this isle walking as being saved. Which may not be the case at all but an emotional manipulation.
The question you need to be asking yourself is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! Your soul depends on it!
@warmed1 I agree that the sinners prayer is not Biblical. I wasn't referring to the prayer
I am the exception to the rule. I had not heard the gospel. I walked in, and a man asked me if I wanted Christ would I be willing to acknowledge him before others by coming forward. In my minds-eye I could visualize Christ on one side in my life and friends on the other. I boldly walked up and gave my life to Christ and knew exactly what I was doing. And on June 5, 1994 he saved me. I believe if Jesus is at work, you invite people to respond. Be careful not to manipulate them, but do not discount any opportunity to invite them. I love Dr. Lawson! And I agree with what he says. But I don’t see the harm if the gospel is clearly communicated, and the invitation is clearly communicated.
To not see the harm, is not hear what they just said! To not see the harm is to realize, this prayer will lead many, to hell! For as they said, it's not biblical!
Instead of "raise your hand and walk forward," it should be "repent and be baptized, every one of you for the forgiveness of your sins." Acts 2:38
I went on two mission trips to Peru with a group. The lead minister had us witness the Gospel in the streets and then tell the people, if you want to receive Jesus, raise your hand...salvation is so wonderful, every hand should be raised...now repeat after me.... And a member of the team would count the raised hands, and we'd tally them at the end of the day. It felt so false to be claiming X number of salvations when we could not possibly know the people's hearts or their sincerity.
I used to attend churches that did altar calls. Now I am in an ACNA Anglican church, where the rector says things like what Lawson says. Never an altar call, for the same reasons Lawson doesn't do them. It's so much better than "counting scalps." I like to watch Ray Comfort's street evangelism videos; he does it the right way, too.
Exelent!!! That's how I feel this altar-call thing is a big problem... people who think their saved... 😢
My altar call is in my room besides my bed 🙏🏼✝️🙌🏼🌈😇🔥⚔️👑💯
That’s how it should be. I served under a pastor in the dfw area that made it a point to leave asap. He said he would be exhausted and didn’t have time to talk with people.
What an incredible example of a true Shepard.
I really love this view point!
Another banger! Great video. Thanks
Great Message Men,God bless you both!
I love that approach
Thanks for that, done I would say faithful to Scripture with grace and much wisdom.
I really appreciate your explanation, really. Thanks.
So good!
I'm so thankful for Holy Spirit speaking into hearts❤ wherever you are..
Yes!!!!!! He is right someone “saved” wrong, is so hard to convince they ain’t. This was an amazing visit.
The Lord can save anyone of his elect. The one who is “saved wrong” is no harder to save than any other atheist or agnostic of whom the Lord has not elected to salvation. And they are no easier to save than those whom the Lord has elected for salvation. Because God does all the saving work, we are but his tools to use how he sees fit.
Growing up in a small Pentecostal church it seemed like we went down to the alter almost every week to "get saved". The sad thing is that the adults seemed to approve of that behavior.
The problem was not the alter it was the message that brought people to the alter. It was a false teaching about the gospel and what being saved really means. So the error there was how the alter was being used.
Thank God for the truth, in Father and King Jesus' Name, Amen✝️✨
Good happy to see people finally stand up and say someone is not saved, there are people out here and its clear as day but we are sonscared tk say it.
If believe alter calls are fine. Jesus called people publicly. You need to confess Jesus publicly. It don’t matter how you get there just as long as you confess Jesus is Lord and ask Him into your heart. Believe it and mean it. Then live for Him all the days of your life by go and telling. Spread the Gospel.
Are you a robot?
I was saved during an altar call and afterwards I was led to give a public confession of my faith to the congregation and they all prayed for me.
He called them publicly to repent. He did not call them forward or call for an emotional response/experience.
@@klyh19that would be saved inspite of the altar call.
I have many friends who during or after a sermon felt the need of an alter call who came to faith that way.
This was so great. Thank you both for your faithfulness.
I remember the story about a very large Baptist church that had people going forward every Sunday. The altar would be filled and someone made the comment of how the Lord moved people because of the preaching. The preacher informed the person he was talking to that all those people were saved during the week by Sunday School teachers and other soul winners in the church.
I began to question the altar call after the training I received in Child Evangelism Fellowship. Yes we gave "altar calls" at the end of 5 Day Clubs and Good News Clubs. The difference was that we took our time, the first question was always, "Why did you come forward?" Then we used questions to find out where the child was at spiritually. Even the "Sinners Prayer" was from the child and we never led them. Better to tell them to talk to us when they understand better than to have a false conversion and another notch on our Bible. Most adult altar workers never receive that kind of training. I always felt better about dealing with the kids than any of the adults.
Sending to all my AoG friends!
You can also be converted in your seat when you hear the Gospel and God convicts you of your sin.
The question you need to be asking yourself is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! Your soul depends on it!
Absolutely. I also think that it can do more damage than good. Good word.
I have been around evangelical churches and para church groups a long time and have seen a lot of "methods". So much so that I kept saying that we were all in fact methodists.
But - in allll of that I also saw the Holly Spirit change a lot of lives. I came to realise God changes lives no matter what "method" we may choose to adopt.
If you want to discount an altar call as such, then you have just completely opposed Billy Grahams approach and any other evangelist like him. Quite a problem when in Australia it is very difficult to go far without finding strong Christians and leaders who count their life change from a Billy Graham meeting!
An altar is where the patriarchs met with God. It was a place of sacrifice, death, forgiveness. Approaching an altar is approaching God and encountering Him. Reformed ideas here over the top intellectualism. Steve admits this.
WHEN I FIRST GOT SAVED PASTOR LAWSON WAS PREACHING PSALM 1 AFTER THE SERVICE HE SPOKE W ME CUZ I WENT UP .WENT BACK UP THAT NIGHT AND HE KNEW I WAS JUST WANTING TO TALK ..THIS MANIS SO CALLED BY GOD ..
I think we can all learn from each other and I am happy to hear both sides of this discussion. My issue with this video however- at the beginning of it he states alter calls are not Biblical. But then he proceeds to explain what his method is/his opinions related and does not cite any verses that make alter calls not biblical. That said, I want to mention that in Acts 2, Peter does what I would consider the same as an alter call. Peter is giving a sermon to a large group then we pick up in verse 37:
"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
So my question is, was what Peter did a system that prohibited people from knowing how to respond?
Then I will address his last statements concerning his mother who would be shy to walk forward at an alter call. In Mathew 10:32, we are told the following:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in Heaven.
Amen! The question people need to be asking is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! People's soul depends on it!
Really appreciated this video thank you. The gypsy church is big on alter calls I will be reporting to bring awareness to them. 👍
I know exactly what Steve Lawson is talking about. I used to do the lighting and sound for my church and whenever the pastor would stand at the front for the altar call I was instructed to dim the lights while there would be some song played that corresponding to the moment. I don't think it was intended, but it was nothing short of emotional manipulation. My conscience was so burdened by what we were doing that I could not do it any longer. I've also been a part of churches that pressured people into walking the aisle with the completely unbiblical, out-of-context usage of, "If you deny me before men I'll deny you before my father in heaven" it makes me sick just thinking about that kind of pressure being put on people that are struggling. And of course you have the "just as I am" hymn being played softly in the background. It's shameful, really. It was so refreshing the first time I walked into a reformed congregation and there was absolutely no altar call. I was overjoyed that all of that nonsense was not a part of the service.
kinda like when the movie starts and the lights dim low??? to manipulate me? Come on man! Do you feel emotionally manipulated at the movie theatre? I think every service if we are told to invite your neighbours etc by our reformed pastor should have an opportunity to reach people for Christ. How can you be overjoyed when there is not opportunity to recieve the greatest gift of all!
@@JBM101 going to a movie and having the lights lowered to see the screen better and a post sermon alter call are two totally different things. I never said there was no opportunity to accept Christ at the Reformed Church I attended. Every moment of the service is a moment where Christ is exalted and may be accepted at any time. The pastor, like Steve Lawson would encourage people to talk to an elder or himself after the sermon. You do not need to speak to a Pastor, Elder, Deacon or anybody to accept Christ as Savior. You don't even need to do it in the church. I agree with you that is the greatest gift of all, but if you insist it must be accepted within a church that's a little much. I don't think you're doing that but it seems that the argumentation.
Churches to do to "set the mood".
Like the Holy Spirit needs help.
They do it because they were taught how it works in entertainment media.
I guess this is why outdoor evangelism is almost dead. No band to follow them after two minutes of preaching.
The problem with your comment is that you based everything off one church you went to. Have you ever been to a church where the altar call was done really well? I've seen them done badly and I've seen them done well. It all depends on the preacher and many other things.
And I couldn't think of anything worse than being a Calvinist church.
@@ntlearning my main point ultimately being that altar calls are not biblical. I have seen them done well in a sense, but the altar call itself, in my opinion should never be done. There should be done exactly what Costi and Steve Lawson explain in the video. Also, could definitely think of things much worse than being at a "calvinist church" (using your words not mine. I said Reformed, not Calvinist. they are not the same) like being at a Mormon Temple ,Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall meeting, a Muslim Mosque, a satanic Church, and any other cult you'd like to throw in there for kicks and a whole host of other things that include diseases ,(like being in the cancer wing of a children's hospital) War, pestilence and ultimately hell. If a calvinist church, where the supremacy and sovereignty of God is held to the highest degree and the gospel is offered to all men freely, while simultaneously acknowledging that God has and elect people chosen by his mercy and grace, known only to himself that he will effectively save, sanctify and glorify to his glory, is your ultimate form of suffering then you got it pretty good.
I'm so glad that Steve Lawson admitted that someone who walked forward in an altar call could get saved....because I was one of those. What he is not telling you is that walking forward in an altar call does not save you. However, this method was traditionally done following the admonition of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:32 that "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." That's all it is. No one is saying that walking the aisle brings you salvation. The decision is made, perhaps in the seat, to confess Christ as your savior. The walking forward to the altar is making it public. The thief on the cross did not walk the aisle to get saved. Confessing Christ as your savior is not exercising you legs. One does not need to walk to the altar to get saved but speaking for myself, it is a vivid reminder of when I made that decision.
I think what's most important is that a church provides a way for new believers to be discipled by mature believers in the church.
This is what Dr. Lawson is describing, which is great. It would be amazing if the rest of the church is also empowered to have these 1on1 conversations with those who are seeking.
They were saved the same way everyone is by Gods sovereignty ..His Grace…through…faith which is a gift from Him
Almost 50 years in the church and this is one thing that I have learned.
You can all of the people some of the time.
You can please some of the people all of the time.
But you can't please church people NONE of the time.
They will always find something to argue about and criticize.
So much for Matthew 5:9; 1 Timothy 6; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; James 1:19-20 and Titus 3:1.
I have said this in a slightly different way before, maybe folks will listen if Lawson says it.🤔👍
My church preaches a sound gospel, and we don’t necessarily do “altar calls” but our pastor has people raise their hands or even stand up at times if they responded to the gospel. He uses the scripture that if we have accepted Christ then we need to confess Him before men as a reason for doing it this way. I really don’t love this practice either personally. Whether you’re physically walking down an aisle or standing up for everyone to see, it’s the same principle.
There is also a church in my area that after a gospel message they’ll have people raise their hands and are prayed for right in the service by the pastor. Everyone’s eyes are closed in prayer, but it can become a numbers and growth game with that church it seems.
Whatever one thinks about the altar call, not everyone comes to Christ the same way or responds to the same invitation. That said, I am against emotional manipulation.
This is great. I only object that the people are sending those that need to come into relationship with Yahshua to the Pastor. That is every son/daughters job.
Thank you! Needed discussion. The music in the background is a little distracting.
At alter calls some pastors will bust out the whole “if you’re ashamed of Jesus in front of these people then Jesus will be ashamed of you in front of the father” kind of deal.
So much manipulation in alter calls. BTW, there is no alter in a church. An alter is where a sacrifice is made and the sacrifice is finished.
Most alter calls produce false converts, unfortunately. The reason, is mostly because of the gospel was preached, and they more than likely heard a soft, self help sermon, someone's testimony, or were feeling wordly sorrow, instead of true repentant godly sorrow. We have to understand the bad news about ourselves first, before we ever will accept the good news of the true gospel. False converts are the absolute worst to reach, Dr. Lawson is correct, because they truly believe they are saved. If you're elect, God will draw you to salvation. God elects, then, in His timing, draws to the Son for salvation. But, the ONLY reason a person has this desire to make that move, IS only because their hearts are being summoned by God. Alter call or not. As Paul Washer puts it, alter calls have produced more converts on the face of this planet, and if you were saved by them, it was not because of them, but in spite of them.
*false converts
grace to Steve Lawson, when he was teaming with Billy Graham, did he not notice all the catholic priests etc?
Love this conversation… Thank you! Would love to hear his message on 1 John 5 if anyone knows where I can find it.
Do you meen the hole chapter? Or a certain verse from 1 John 5?
Apparently, Oswald Chambers walked home with his dad after listening to Charles Spurgeon, when he committed his life to Christ on the road.
Wonderful said. All the years this was in our church and most churches. No where in the scriptures is there altercalls. Also when altercalls were made, before praying for them, the elders and pastor first anointed them. Also not right. Twice in the new testament it speaks when to use oil. Matthew 6 vs 17, 18 but when ye fast, anoint your head and wash your face. 2ndly, preachers don't read properly. James 5 vs 14,15,16. He that is sick, let him call upon the elders to anoint and pray for him. Matthew 4vs4 man shall not live from bread alone but from every word that cometh out the mouth of God. Genisis to Revolation. Revolation 22 vs 18 to 22. Do not add nor take away..ect. all the years, church traditions and adding. ❤
The question you need to be asking yourself is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! Your soul depends on it!
I would love to hear what he has to say about the biblical validity of baptizing infants.
Back then in Jesus days there were no altar calls & also in the early Church days bcuz the Church was barely starting & the meeting were in the home⁉️Although Jesus started, whoever confesses Me before man’s I will confess him before My Father,Matthew 10:32. Altar Call are Great & Excellent when done the right way & a follow-up with the new converts. The Pastor or altar counselors when they lead a convert in a Sinner Prayer, they need to ask the right questions. I’m a ExCatholic we prayed repetitive prayers that didn’t lead us to Christ !! And they didn’t give us any assurance of salvation. So Catholic converts don’t know how to pray just prayers that were taught. In the O.T. Moses & the prophets gave a public altar call to the Israelites along with John the Baptist gave altar call to the Jews to repent & get baptized. Jesus answer the call publicly to get baptized only,Nicodemus wanted to answers the Altar Call but he was scared⁉️The Disciples answered the Call publicly❗️
Here's my take. The Bible teaches us that it is the Lord who added to the church daily those that were being saved as the men of God walked in the Holy Spirit in word and prayer. If the church would allow the Holy Spirit to lead, the world would be pushing at the door trying to get into the church. When the Lord is in the church, everyone wants to come in. Even Simon the sorcerer will come. But the reason why the church is ridiculed as a joke and a hustle is because we shut the Lord out. The Holy Spirit must take His place in the church and when we allow Him to do so, only Jesus will be exalted. But if the Holy Spirit is absent, then men have to resort to schemes and gimmicks to appear effective, and the devil gets a foothold. The day we realise that salvation is the Lord's and that He must be allowed to do His work in men, the further we will build the Kingdom of God and truly reverence the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross, for cost was very great! The church was at its very best in the book of Acts with leaders who were full of the Holy Ghost and submitted to one another in love. The church will be great again when this reoccurs. The Holy Spirit must be allowed to lead because no man knows the way and no man knows the mind of the Father. But the Holy Spirit does!
Haaaa haaaaa,
Lawson a synergist
Very cool
😂😂😂
Altar calls are where things happen after the word preached…It is our “response ability”, miracles take place, lives are changed, healings happen, the Holy Ghost is poured out, transformation happens…It is not the end of service it is the main event to the church service that shows if you received the word spoken and believe for the miraculous.
The biblical way to do it is laid out in Acts. When someone believes they are too be baptized into Christ. The reason for that is not only obedience to Christ but because of what happens when a person is baptized into Christ as explained by the apostle Paul in romans 6.
I said the sinner's prayer and the Lord saved me, been born again ever since, i want to, need to, know what Lawson meant by leading people to the Lord when he doesnt do alter calls or sinner's prayers.
And God added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Doing truth brings people to the light jn3v21!
I don't think there is anything wrong of going up to the alter and asking to be saved. It's like getting married your on show for all the witteness to see that very special moment. There are people that are shy and having a back room so they can have a pastor or an elder to talk to is also an excellent quality. In some churches like the church i use to attend the new pastor couldn't care if im alive or dead 😂🤣😂
Great to see Costi on the straight and narrow path unlike his uncle Benny Hinn.🇬🇧
he question you need to be asking yourself is where is that found in the Bible? That prayer? Please refer to Acts Ch. 8 to get the right answer! You’re soul depends on it!
@@warmed1 I don't what you mean?
Everyone needs to submit to the complete plan of Salvation, and the Sinner's Prayers is not part of it. The complete plan of Salvation is to Hear and believe the Word of God (Mk. 16:15-16), repenting of one's sins (Lk. 13:3, Acts 2:38), confess one’s faith in Christ (Mat. 10:32-33), and to be baptized (Mat. 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, 8, 22:16, 1 Pt. 3:21, Rom. 6:1-5)
Anything less than that is unBiblical@@A.O.T.C
@@warmed1 I never said anything about the sinner pray. I know about repentance, we have to do that on a regular basis.
I think people's salvation is depending on the denomination they are attached to.
And that is the problem, salvation is not contingent upon denominations (which is a mathematical fractional term denoting division) Jesus prayed to His Father that we all be one (Jn. 17:20-21). So how can we all be one? Being saved the Biblical way, not adding nor taking away from the Bible (Rev. 22:18-19) What is that way?
People are to:
Hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:14-16)
Believe Jesus is the Son of God Mk. 16:15-16)
Repent sins (Lk. 13:3, Acts 2:38)
Confess one’s faith in Christ, [and this is not a prayer of salvation, see Acts 8:37 (Mat. 10:32-33),
Be Baptized (Mat. 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, 8, 22:16, 1 Pt. 3:21, Rom. 6:1-5)
Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10b)
No sinner's prayers
No christenings
Only God's authorized way @@A.O.T.C
Let’s listen to a 5 point Calvinist. Lawson is just that.
If we believe what scripture teaches about regeneration proceeding conversion (James 1:18, Ezekiel 36, John 3:8) that it is God who gives life to the dead sinner so he can then respond to the “gospel call” to repent and believe or enter through the narrow gate (Mark 1:15, Matthew 7:13-14), then why ad a man made technique “the alter call” or “the sinners prayer” which are not in scripture? This has produced millions of self deceived people. If you genuinely repented and believed during an alter call, your conversion was Gods doing. Just like every other true conversion. Only the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romas 1:16)
Calvinists don't like Finney......because he wasn't a Calvinist. But they absolutely cannot argue with his success rate - from what I've read higher than any other evangelist possibly ever with lasting conversions. But here is a quote from Finney himself -
'Faith is the medium by which the blessing is conveyed to the believer. The proof of this is in the Bible. The text declares it expressly. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh he justified." The subject is too often treated of in the New Testament to be necessary to go into a labored proof. It is manifest, from the necessity of the case, that if men are saved at all, they must be justified in this way, and not by works of law, for "by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Also from what I've read any 'altar calls' Finney had were as serious as they could get and he would make sure they understood that they needed Christ as a Saviour. Anyone doubting Finney's conversion should just go read about it - he tells the whole story in his autobiography which is still available.
This isn't about Calvinism, it's about manipulation and Finney did just that. He started revivalism aka man-made revivals.
Some altar calls are manipulative and some are not. What is manipulative is threatening people with eternal conscious torment if they he not follow Christ (Barth called it the Gospel at gunpoint). The Apostles did not proclaim the Good News like that anywhere in Acts.
The life death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus achieved forgiveness for all, saved us from death and all are called to walk in that reality. This is what we proclaim and we entrust the Salvation of each individual to the Triune God. God will achieve his will and the telos is that Mankind will be made in his image. We will all be judged and enter the life or chastisement of that age after our death until all things are brought into submission to Christ and God will be all in all Rom 11v32-36. The Lord bless you all.
@@rinihogewoning6528 what have you done?
Thank you for this comment. I’m not sure where there is ever an account of Finney manipulating people. I think most people lump Finney with anyone that gives an altar call. There is alot wrong with the pragmatism of our day. There of a lot of shallowness in altar calls. There are alot that think they’re saved because they said a prayer at an altar. Finney never have the impression to any that simply because they prayed at an altar they were saved. He very thoroughly preached repentance and faith and stressed the fruits of a truly saved life. There are some things he taught that I don’t fully agree with but it is evident he was mightily used of God. I would fear to say Finney was an unconverted man.
@@JBM101 Nothing, it was all done by Christ and thru Christ. It's too simple, isn't it? The best part is Christ still reigns and I just have to place my faith in him and keep sharing the gospel. No need to start man made revivals where repentance isn't preached and many are deceived into thinking they are saved. How about you?
I agree with this, but there are biblical passages where we are told how many were added to the church that day. I wonder how they knew.
Matthew 13:19-30 “The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold”
False converts only want to be saved from Hell. True converts want to be saved from their sins.. It’s that simple. Go read “pilgrims Progress” by John Bunyan.