Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
Should we have altar calls?

Should we have altar calls?

Last updated on: July 3, 2024 at 2:52 pm by Andrew Farley

0 Comments

Should we have altar calls? 2024-04-04T14:54:16-05:00 Andrew Farley

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Quick Answer: Should we have altar calls? The term “altar call” conveys Old Testament imagery of dead animals laying on altars for Israel’s atonement. In the New Covenant, Jesus was placed on the last altar, the cross, to take away sins once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). So, while God has saved people through altar calls at church services, the imagery actually conflicts with the New Testament reality of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Diving Deeper: Of course, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging people to make a decision about the Gospel. But the idea that legitimate faith must be expressed in an altar call, or some outward action which proves how serious we are, is simply not biblical. Paul is clear that we’re saved when we hear the message of the Gospel and believe it (Galatians 3:2). This faith comes in the quietness of our own hearts and does not need to be proven legitimate by running to the front of a church auditorium.

Furthermore, the term “altar call” can be a bit misleading. It conveys that, if we are serious about our faith, we will lay down our lives on God’s altar. But the altar is an Old Testament instrument on which dead animals were sacrificed for atonement. On this side of the cross, there are no more altars. The cross was the last altar. On it Jesus died the only death needed for our forgiveness (Hebrews 10:10-12).

So, we don’t need altar calls, and we can encourage people to believe the Gospel without insinuating that true faith must make its way to the front of the building.

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. What has been your impression of “altar calls”?
2. How should the cross of Christ influence our view of altars?
3. If going forward in a church service is not essential, what does saving faith really look like?

Previous Post

June 3, 2024

What is the narrow gate that leads to life?

Next Post

August 3, 2024 Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead?

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"I agree that the believer has a new heart which loves God and loves righteousness. ..."

Adrian Warnock

Do Christians have a deceitfully wicked ..."

""Some of us have even heard that we are to love God more than our ..."

1another

How can you love God more?

"“Paul was simply presenting his body to Christ because he wanted to do so.” That’s ..."

1another

What are spiritual disciplines?

"I don't know if I've ever used the term, but your point is dangerous heresy, ..."

1another

When did the New Covenant begin?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 December 2023 April 2023 March 2023 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 April 2019 February 2019 January 2019 November 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 December 2016 November 2016 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 August 2014 May 2014 December 2013 October 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was Melchizedek?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A Roman official A priest and king An angel A prophet