The Invitation

The practice of "offering the invitation" has its beginning in the 1800s. The system has been refined and used to such an extent it has become most congregations primary act of evangelism.

 

Christians claim biblical support for what they choose to do. While Jesus called people publicly i.e. "Follow Me," or "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before My Father which is in heaven" nowhere does Jesus give altar calls. While Jesus called men to Himself neither he nor the apostles appealed for people to "come forward" as either a testimony to their decision or as an act of accepting Jesus.

 

To what was Jesus calling people? Was it to make a "one time" decision about him or to follow him all their lives? "The Invitation" gives the impression that it was to a "one time" decision. The there is "confessing Him before men". Was Jesus saying that by a single act of confession one became a believer or was he teaching that one mark of real faith is a life that continually confesses Him? Again, "The Invitation" leads many to trust in a "confession," though they openly live in rebellion to Him throughout their lives.

 

Jesus and the apostles called people to repentance and faith but nowhere do we see either used any form of "The Invitation" to either bring people to faith or to confirm their faith.