The practice of giving an “altar call” at the end of a church service is common in many evangelical Christian churches. An altar call typically involves the pastor or worship leader inviting people to come forward publicly, usually to the front of the church, to make a spiritual commitment or rededication.
The Bible does not specifically mention altar calls, since this practice did not originate until the 19th century during the Second Great Awakening revival movement. However, there are some biblical principles and passages that can inform our understanding of the purpose and value of altar calls.
Confessing Christ Publicly
Jesus said that whoever confesses Him before men, He will confess before the Father in heaven: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). An altar call gives believers an opportunity to publicly identify themselves with Christ and His church.
The Bible exhorts believers not to be ashamed of the gospel and to publicly confess Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Altar calls allow Christians to courageously step out in faith and visibly demonstrate their commitment to following Jesus.
Answering the Gospel Call
The altar call is an opportunity for people to respond to the gospel and accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). At the end of his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter gave an altar call: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). 3000 people responded and committed their lives to Christ that day.
When the gospel is preached, people are called to repent, have faith in Christ, and join the family of God. An altar call can facilitate an immediate response to the Holy Spirit’s prompting in a person’s heart.
Public Prayer and Support
Coming to the altar provides newcomers and longtime members an opportunity to receive prayer, encouragement, counsel, and support from pastors and mature believers. James instructs, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). The altar call allows public prayer for individuals making spiritual decisions and commitments.
In the Bible, believers often gathered to join in corporate prayer for those in need. An altar call imitates this practice by inviting the congregation to pray with and for those who come forward.
Counting the Cost
Jesus emphasized that following Him requires commitment and counting the cost. He said, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). Coming to the altar demonstrates a willingness to surrender one’s life to Christ, forsake sin, and serve the Lord.
The act of coming forward reinforces the solemnity and importance of the decision. Jesus scolded those whose commitment was half-hearted: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Publicly coming forward helps solidify a person’s resolve to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Testimony to the Church
When newcomers come forward at an altar call, it encourages existing members and builds up the church. Believers are reminded that God is still drawing people to salvation in Christ. It spurs them to continue sharing the gospel message.
Paul wrote of fellow believers’ faith strengthening the whole church: “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3). The public testimonies of those coming to Christ edify the church.
Experiencing God’s Presence
Throughout Scripture, approaching God’s altar was associated with experiencing God’s presence and power. In the Old Testament, the altar was considered holy ground where people could meet with Him. People often wept, repented, rejoiced, and felt God’s presence at the altar (Genesis 8:20, Exodus 29:37, 2 Chronicles 7:1).
Similarly, responding to today’s altar call can lead to experiencing God’s presence and work in one’s life. Many believers testify to feeling an outpouring of God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s activity as they came forward and surrendered to Him.
Cautions About Altar Calls
While altar calls can serve several biblical purposes, there are some cautions to keep in mind:
- Altar calls should not manipulate or pressure people, but gently extend an invitation to respond to God’s call.
- Coming forward does not save anyone – salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
- Follow-up discipleship and support should be offered to altar call respondents to help them grow.
- People can commit their lives to Christ anywhere, not just at a church altar. Altar calls facilitate public confession but are not required.
When conducted appropriately, altar calls allow new believers to publicly identify with Christ and receive immediate encouragement and prayer. For longtime Christians, responding reminds them of their dependence on Christ and need for spiritual revival.
Ultimately, motives matter more than the physical actions. God sees the heart, and the altar call provides an opportunity to outwardly express inward repentance, faith, and devotion to the Lord.
The Bible does not prescribe every detail of how altar calls should be done. But altar calls can be a biblical part of worship when handled carefully and purposed to exalt Christ by facilitating people’s response to the gospel.