At the end of the sermon, the piano player or other musicians would head back up to the front and begin to play a slower praise song. Then, the pastor would invite repentant souls to come to the altar, which was generally a series of benches where people could kneel. The reasons to come forward included salvations, rededications, or healings. 

The altar call. This tradition has an interesting background, and it has been a staple in most evangelical churches for decades. But is it biblical? 

What is the history of the modern altar call? 

The roots of the altar call trace back to the revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the United States and Britain. During this period, preachers such as George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Finney spearheaded movements characterized by fervent preaching and a call to personal conversion. 

One of the earliest recorded instances of an altar call occurred during the Great Awakening in the American colonies. George Whitefield, a prominent preacher known for his powerful speaking, would often call upon listeners to come forward and make a public profession of their faith. These gatherings, often held outdoors in open fields, saw individuals stepping forward to the “mourner’s bench” or designated area to pray and seek salvation.

The practice gained further traction with Charles Finney, a leading figure in the Second Great Awakening. Finney’s innovative methods of evangelism placed a strong emphasis on human agency and the power of persuasion. He preached emotionally charged sermons, extended revival meetings, and a system of inviting individuals to come forward and publicly commit their lives to Christ. 

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the altar call continued to evolve and adapt within evangelical circles. It became institutionalized within the structure of revival meetings, evangelistic crusades, and eventually regular church services, serving as a visible marker of conversion and commitment. As evangelicalism spread globally, the practice of the altar call became synonymous with the proclamation of the Gospel and the call to discipleship.

The altar call provided a public platform for individuals to publicly declare their faith and receive affirmation from the community of believers. For many, the act of coming forward symbolized a decisive break from the past and a commitment to a new way of life.

Critics have raised concerns about its potential for manipulation, emotionalism, and superficiality. Some have questioned its biblical basis, arguing that it places undue emphasis on a single moment of decision rather than the ongoing process of discipleship.

Nevertheless, for countless believers, the altar call remains a sacred and transformative moment in their spiritual journey. 

What does the Bible say about altars? 

Throughout the Bible, altars hold significant religious and symbolic importance within the context of worship and sacrifice. These sacred structures served as focal points for offerings to God and as places of encounter with the divine.

In the Old Testament, altars are prominently featured in the worship practices of ancient Israel. The book of Genesis records several instances of patriarchs, such as Abraham and Jacob, building altars to offer sacrifices and worship God. For example, after God promised him the land of Canaan, Abraham built an altar in Shechem and another in Bethel (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:18).

However, the regulations concerning altars become more detailed within the context of the Mosaic Law. In Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, God provides specific instructions regarding the construction, location, and use of altars in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

In the Tabernacle, which served as a portable sanctuary for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, there were two primary altars: the bronze altar of burnt offering and the golden altar of incense. The bronze altar was situated in the courtyard and was used for animal sacrifices, symbolizing atonement for sin and the worshipper’s dedication to God. The golden altar of incense, located within the Holy Place, was used for burning fragrant incense, representing the prayers of the people ascending to God (Exodus 30:1-10).

When Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, he followed these instructions, constructing a magnificent altar for burnt offerings made of bronze (1 Kings 8:22-64). This altar played a central role in the sacrificial system of worship prescribed by the Law of Moses.

In the New Testament, the concept of altars takes on a different significance as the focus shifts from physical structures to spiritual realities. The primary altar in the New Testament is no longer a physical construction but rather the cross of Christ. Hebrews draws upon imagery from the Old Testament sacrificial system to present Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice, whose blood brings forgiveness and redemption to humanity (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:10-14).

Furthermore, the apostle Paul speaks of believers presenting themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as an act of spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). In this sense, the concept of the altar becomes metaphorical, representing the surrender of one’s life to God and the offering of oneself in service to Him.

While the physical altars of the Temple may no longer be relevant in the New Testament era, the principles they represent – worship, sacrifice, and devotion to God – remain central to Christian faith and practice. We are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, continually seeking to honor God in all we do, both individually and collectively, as the body of Christ.

What are examples of New Testament Gospel invitations? 

In the New Testament, several examples illustrate group gospel invitations, where Jesus or the apostles called on individuals or crowds to respond to the message of salvation and discipleship. These invitations often served as pivotal moments of decision and commitment within the context of public preaching and ministry.

One notable example is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, a comprehensive teaching on the principles of the kingdom of God. At the conclusion of this sermon, Jesus issues a broad invitation to all who are listening, urging them to make a deliberate choice regarding their response to his message.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Here, Jesus presents a stark contrast between the path of destruction and the path of life, calling upon his listeners to consider carefully the implications of their choices. While this invitation is directed to the entire crowd gathered to hear Jesus teach, it carries personal significance for each individual, challenging them to make a decision to follow him wholeheartedly.

In the book of Acts, we see numerous instances where the apostles preached the gospel to large gatherings, often resulting in mass conversions and responses to the message. One such example occurs on the day of Pentecost, when Peter delivers a powerful sermon to a crowd in Jerusalem, convicting them of their sins and calling them to repentance and baptism.

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” ( as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.