The Proposed Invitation
3. The Proposed Invitation.
Since a multiplicity of churches and people have only experienced a "coming forward" to be saved, may I only em-phasize that God can be trusted to save a person in church the same way one is saved in their home. I may, by some, be accused of being bigoted or narrow-minded because of infringing upon this patent tradition. Since there is only one way to Heaven and that being through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6), I believe there can only be one scriptural invitation; and that being to believe in Christ, plus nothing! May I propose that the church invitation be the same as an individual invitation at home. At the conclusion of every Sunday service, an invitation for salvation is given in our church. No matter what the message, whether dedication, salvation, prophecy, service, or whatever— an invitation to receive Christ as Savior is always given.
At the conclusion of the message, the congregation is ad-vised that in a few minutes we will bow in prayer. Salvation is then explained and the lost encouraged to receive Christ as their Savior as we bow in prayer. While their heads are bowed, I ask if any are receiving Christ at this time. If so, I would like to pray for them in the coming week, and they may indicate it by raising their hand. I will explain that we are not going to embarrass them in any way; and no one will come back to them to bring them down to the front. We do not have "interested parties" walking up and down the aisles; or tapping people on the shoulder.
They are also informed that raising the hand does not save them or have anything to do with their salvation. It only indicates to the pastor they are receiving Christ by faith; if they wish to indicate their decision. I may then rejoice with them and pray for them in coming weeks.
I assure them I will not call out their name or draw attention to them in any way. If hands are raised, I simply ac-knowledge them by saying something like, "Thank you, I see that hand," and the hand is put down. As we close in prayer we simply ask God's blessing on those who trusted Christ as Savior. I very seldom ever use the hand raising. In our church we usually have the closing prayer, and then dismiss with the congregation standing and singing a closing hymn. Just prior to the closing hymn, I encourage anyone present to contact me if they have any questions at all, or would like a home visit. They may tell me on the way out, and I will be happy to help them.
I have learned to trust the Word of God to bring those back who were saved. It is amazing the amount of people who will contact the pastor of their own free will when they are not pressured. I am never disappointed if no hands are raised, because many are saved who do not raise their hands. Many times the reason for this is, they have raised their hands before in a church service only to have someone tap them on the shoulder and try to persuade them to go to the front of the church. If the Word of God is preached and I have prepared myself with study and prayer, the service will always be a success. If I do my part, I can rest assured that God will do His. In conclusion may I propose:
Give those in church an "equal opportunity. Dispense with foolish questioning of the congregation which has no value.
Always give an invitation to trust Christ.
Never get discouraged because there is no immediate response.
Learn to trust God's Word yourself. His Word we preach is sharp and powerful, let's trust what we preach to others. (Hebrews 4:12).
Study, prepare, and preach the Word, and the service will never be a failure. To think the service is a failure will be to think God's Word is a failure. (2 Timothy 2:15).
Trust God to give the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
Trust the Word of God to bring people back. If the people are hungry and you feed them, they will be back for more to eat. A steady growth will last longer than the big explosion of gimmicks and high-pressure persuasion.
Let us recognize that water baptism is the scriptural public profession; not coming forward.
Keep the service within the length of time specified. Why send someone away angry unnecessarily.
Keep the invitation simple. Remember "Profoundness is not profundity unless it is pruned in simplicity."
Remember, the practice of coming forward for salvation is as much a tradition to the independent, fundamental churches as the traditions practiced by the Roman Catholic Church.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the TRADITION of men, after the rud-iments of the world, and not after Christ. - Colossians 2:8
God made the plan of salvation so simple that a child can understand it. We are expected to present this salvation to others as God gave it to us, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" - Acts 16:31
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ."- 2 Corinthians 11:3
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5 God's Work Done God's Way Yields A Bountiful Harvest.
A Clear Gospel Produces Believers; Not Counterfeit Christians.