2. This confusion deceives people about their spiritual state. It encourages people to think that they have responded savingly to the gospel in their hearts just because they’ve come forward externally and prayed a prayer at an altar. But this isn’t necessarily true. It simply isn’t the case that just because someone is coming forward after the sermon, they are responding to the gospel in repentance and belief. Hebrews 6 warns that there are those who have not just come forward, but who have “once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” who, notwithstanding these seemingly convincing proofs, do not enjoy “things that accompany salvation” (Heb 6:4-5, 9; for a historical treatment, see Iain Murray’s Evangelicalism Divided [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2000]). In other words, there is a type of true spiritual experience of the Holy Spirit, a real hearing of the word, and even an observation of the power of God, that is nevertheless not saving. Is this not also the point of the parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)? External, emotional, and even temporary spiritual movement do not necessarily imply internal conversion. (Paul Alexander- IX Marks)

This observation builds upon the first reason given for avoiding the use of an “altar call.” It speaks to the spiritual issue that is exacerbated by the practice of the “altar call,” the problem of unregerate church members.Alexander’s application of the parable of the Sower is simple, yet insightful. Indeed, this parable does demonstrate that there are external, emotional signs that may indicate salvation, yet which do not stand the test of time, difficulty, and persecution. How many of us know of people who walked in the front door of our church, walked an aisle during an invitation, walked through the baptistery, and within a matter of weeks or months, disappeared from church life? All of us, most likely.

And then there are the ones who remain in church life. Yet he Bible warns us that there are even unsaved people within the organization of the church. In Matthew 7 we read:

21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

There is a comprehensive theme found within the New Testament regarding those who are truly saved. We see over and over again that the evidence is found in their fruit. Those who are truly redeemed in Christ will persevere to the end.

I fear that there are far too many people touched by Southern Baptist churches who have been confused by this tradition known as the “altar call.” They sincerely believe that they “walked the aisle” those many years ago, were “prayed over” by the preacher, got baptized, and got their “avoid Hell” insurance policy by getting their name on the church roll. Then, slowly but surely, they melted back into the culture of the community and melted away from church life … never to darken the doors again. I know this is true. I have a community full of people who have had such “experiences.”

Instead of bringing clarity and assurance, I fear that this practice fosters confusion and false assurance. It actually makes true evangelism more difficult because, in so many ways, it “inoculates” the multitudes who have done nothing more that “walk the aisle” toward altar and preacher against the true Gospel message.