GRAHAM’S ALTAR CALL = SOUL MIRACLES
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
While the world wonders what comes next, Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, 86, continues to “give the altar call.”
To the more liturgical churches, there is no such memory of the altar call. But to the fundamentalists and evangelicals and Pentecostals, the altar call is a staple. It is just there. It is not worship unless there is an altar call.
Tent meetings and revival services used the altar call. Billy Graham has always extended the altar call at every crusade he has ever conducted — all over the world. Even when there was no visible altar rail, there was the altar call.
What is the altar call?
It’s the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior. That the “decision” that Dr. Graham seeks from every person attending and watching his services.
That’s why his Billy Graham Evangelistic Association monthly publication has been called DECISION. It’s the decision that will spell eternity for heaven or hell. It’s the decision that will turn the person’s life away from spiritual darkness to God’s light.
The altar call wanes in some more modern-day worship services, even in the evangelical and fundamentalistic congregations. But still the invitation is usually given, altar rail or not. People are called to the front of the sanctuary to give a public witness that they have chosen Christ as Redeemer and Lord of their lives.
I recall as a youngster going to one revival meeting after another. Then in summers our family attended the campgrounds where we had the altar call under the large tabernacle ceiling. Many responded. I did, at age 7, and it has meant the course of my life ever since.
When I was a boy, the altar rail at the summer campgrounds was strewn with straw from nearby farmers’ fields. Therefore, when we prayed at the altar, we knelt in the straw. It was quaint. It was wonderful.
At home in our Frederick, Maryland, Church on Motter Avenue the altar rail was a simple wooden affair, but strong enough to carry the heaviest weight as mourners knelt there to confess their sins, repent of their wrong-doings, and rise to their feet rejoicing in new-found grace. It was the time for coming upon God’s mercy. It was the chance to discard those awful sins for forgiveness from the heart of Creator God.
This weekend Dr. Graham is preaching to thousands upon thousands in Queens, New York. After he preaches, the hymn will be sung: “Just as I am, without one plea. . .”
Then the people will get up out of their seats, walk down the aisles, and prepare to confess their sins to Christ, the Savior of the world. There will be counselors there to talk with them, pray with them, and congratulate them on making the most important decision on this Earth.
Dr. Graham’s ministry has had many facets. But the most significant has been the altar call. It’s there that lowly and mighty, the rich and poor, the young and old, have found hope in a sinless Sacrifice upon Calgary. There many lives have been transformed by the miracle from heaven.
There is no magic. There is no flimflam. There is no cultic scheme. It’s just plain old-fashioned New Testament gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’
The gospel is for “whosoever.”
That is, it’s for everybody and anybody. In a flash, a soul can be rescued from sin, the devil and hell. In s moment a life’s perspective can be totally changed from self to the Savior.
It’s happening this weekend in Queens. It’s happened before all over the world — whether at a Graham crusade or a summer camp meeting or a revival tent or a Sunday evening service where two or three are gathered together in His name.
It happens. And in that is the hope of now and forever.
While the world wonders what comes next, Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, 86, continues to “give the altar call.”
To the more liturgical churches, there is no such memory of the altar call. But to the fundamentalists and evangelicals and Pentecostals, the altar call is a staple. It is just there. It is not worship unless there is an altar call.
Tent meetings and revival services used the altar call. Billy Graham has always extended the altar call at every crusade he has ever conducted — all over the world. Even when there was no visible altar rail, there was the altar call.
What is the altar call?
It’s the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior. That the “decision” that Dr. Graham seeks from every person attending and watching his services.
That’s why his Billy Graham Evangelistic Association monthly publication has been called DECISION. It’s the decision that will spell eternity for heaven or hell. It’s the decision that will turn the person’s life away from spiritual darkness to God’s light.
The altar call wanes in some more modern-day worship services, even in the evangelical and fundamentalistic congregations. But still the invitation is usually given, altar rail or not. People are called to the front of the sanctuary to give a public witness that they have chosen Christ as Redeemer and Lord of their lives.
I recall as a youngster going to one revival meeting after another. Then in summers our family attended the campgrounds where we had the altar call under the large tabernacle ceiling. Many responded. I did, at age 7, and it has meant the course of my life ever since.
When I was a boy, the altar rail at the summer campgrounds was strewn with straw from nearby farmers’ fields. Therefore, when we prayed at the altar, we knelt in the straw. It was quaint. It was wonderful.
At home in our Frederick, Maryland, Church on Motter Avenue the altar rail was a simple wooden affair, but strong enough to carry the heaviest weight as mourners knelt there to confess their sins, repent of their wrong-doings, and rise to their feet rejoicing in new-found grace. It was the time for coming upon God’s mercy. It was the chance to discard those awful sins for forgiveness from the heart of Creator God.
This weekend Dr. Graham is preaching to thousands upon thousands in Queens, New York. After he preaches, the hymn will be sung: “Just as I am, without one plea. . .”
Then the people will get up out of their seats, walk down the aisles, and prepare to confess their sins to Christ, the Savior of the world. There will be counselors there to talk with them, pray with them, and congratulate them on making the most important decision on this Earth.
Dr. Graham’s ministry has had many facets. But the most significant has been the altar call. It’s there that lowly and mighty, the rich and poor, the young and old, have found hope in a sinless Sacrifice upon Calgary. There many lives have been transformed by the miracle from heaven.
There is no magic. There is no flimflam. There is no cultic scheme. It’s just plain old-fashioned New Testament gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’
The gospel is for “whosoever.”
That is, it’s for everybody and anybody. In a flash, a soul can be rescued from sin, the devil and hell. In s moment a life’s perspective can be totally changed from self to the Savior.
It’s happening this weekend in Queens. It’s happened before all over the world — whether at a Graham crusade or a summer camp meeting or a revival tent or a Sunday evening service where two or three are gathered together in His name.
It happens. And in that is the hope of now and forever.
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