How "Not" To Be Forgiven Part 5: Walk An Aisle During An Altar Call

One of the techniques that is commonly employed in evangelical protestant churches that is used to "secure" decisions is called the "altar call". The origin of the altar call can be traced back to a preacher named Charles Finney. Finney asked people to "come forward" (down the aisle) and sit on the "anxious seat" or "mourner's bench". It was his feeling that sinners needed to be invited to do something in response to his sermons. It is my conviction that walking an aisle and responding to an altar call are just not a good idea and do not lead to forgiveness of sins.
The main reason that I would submit for that conviction is that it simply is not found in the Scriptures. On the day of Pentecost it tells us that 3000 souls were saved and there is no mention of an altar call. In fact, there is no mention of an altar call anywhere in the New Testament. The reason the 3000 souls were saved that day was because they "believed". That's the one requirement that keeps getting muddled in todays murky theology or lack of it! I recently sat under a preacher who actually said this toward the conclusion of his sermon..."we ask people to make a public decision and walk this aisle because Jesus died publicly". That was the sole reason that he gave for walking the aisle that morning! Incredible.
Now, you may have walked an aisle and responded during an altar call and very much be a forgiven person. But you are forgiven because you "believed" and no other reason. You are forgiven the moment you are convinced that what Jesus did on that cross 2000 years ago is sufficient payment for your sins. Trust Christ today!