Altar Calls, that appeal to emotions, Fill our Churches with Tares instead of Wheat.
If you don't believe me, look around you, look at our churches today. Try sharing something that must be Spiritually Discerned, and see how few people can hear you.
1Cr 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 John 4:6, says that those that are of us, hear us.
1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Tares, can't hear us, all they hear is that they can have a better life.
It is as though pastors believe that if they can talk someone into saying the right prayer, like a magic formula, they are now Christians, even if they are not regenerate or quickened by the Holy Spirit.
The only thing that produces true conversion is the Conviction, Drawing, and Quickening, of the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, pastors get someone to say a little prayer and now they think that they are saved, it gives them a false confidence that may land them in hell.
If the Holy Spirit isn't doing the conversion, it is dangerous lie.
take it easy... yes some people spread the lie of comming down the isle to the altar will save you, but alot do not.
my pastor(and many others) says(after the gospel) IF you have recieved Jesus and would like to come forth and pray with us, feel free, or if you would like to make a public proclamation come. etc....
he cannot help if the person thinks this act will save him... he just got done saying what does save. He does not know who truly beleives etc... some may be sincere while others not. this is not wrong.
proclaiming the gospel + invitation to pray, proclaim, declare, and/or share should not be a heresy.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
If the pastor preaches the gospel in truth according to the word of God, and decides to invite those who believed the gospel, and have recieved the holy spirit, working in them before, during and after the gospel was preached, to come and pray with him, proclaim, or declare their faith publically he can do this. why not?
will there be those who decieve themselves in thinking they believe or who think this act is a saving one? probably.
but if the pastor proclaims the gospel in truth, and does not endorse the idea ... why is this wrong?
Under inadequate gospel preaching where only man's duty to repent and believe is emphasized and his need of re-birth to produce this response is passed over, it is very easy for hearers to confuse their own mental assent with a faith which is not of ourselves but 'the gift of God' Eph 2:8
