Types of altar calls
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Those who attend Charismatic church services may be unaccustomed to altar calls. Many churches will close their service with a call to salvation or to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They may also use an intermediary service between worship and other teachings (such as offerings or announcements) to hold an altar call. There are several types of altar calls and it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these before attending a Charismatic or Pentecostal church.
The first type of altar call is the salvation altar call. Most people are familiar with this altar call, including the unchurched. Famous evangelists, such as Billy Graham, his son Franklin Graham or Greg Laurie often give altar calls at evangelistic meetings. Held for those to come to a belief in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, salvation altar calls include the person repenting publicly for their sins and expressing a desire to be washed in the blood of Jesus and become born again.
Another altar call held in Pentecostal, Charismatic and some non-denominational churches is a call for those who want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This altar call includes a prayer that the new believer will be filled with the Holy Spirit and receives an outward and inward sign of the change. This may or may not include speaking in tongues, according to the doctrines and beliefs of the church.
Recommitment is an altar call given to those who once believed in Jesus Christ and led a life as a Christian, yet fell away due to the cares of the world. During an altar call for recommitment, a believer repents for turning away from the Lord and vows to return to Jesus by living a Christian life and choosing a holy lifestyle over sin.
Some churches operate in the healing ministry. These churches may hold a special altar call for those who need healing in their body, soul, or spirit. Healing may be physical or emotional and may be the cause of sickness or disease or a traumatic event the person experienced. Sometimes people attend an altar call and appear to have had no outward sign of an experience with God, yet later report that they overcame a psychological or mental struggle such as unforgiveness, rage, bitterness, or depression.
One type of altar call that is not often seen in many churches is that for a prayer of deliverance. Churches that operate in spiritual warfare and believe that demonic activity may result in various illnesses or psychological disorders will often hold altar calls to pray a prayer of protection over recipients as well as plead the blood of Jesus Christ over them as a protective hedge. Many deliverance prayers will rebuke Satan or demons and may address them by names such as “spirit of iniquity,” “spirit of anger,” or “spirit of depression.” Not all theologians agree on many of the areas of various altar calls, as some denominations believe there is no need to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit apart from salvation, while others may not believe that healing is for today.
Many altar calls are held in a group setting, and then individuals are led to a private area where they may meet with counselors one on one for further advice and counseling. Those who work in the altar call ministry should be well trained, compassionate and have a genuine love for others and concern for their well-being.
Click the video player to the left to hear Brooke Fraser of Hillsong singing “Lead me to the Cross.”
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