This is a blog entry to seek out thoughts, ideas and Scripture behind the method used to have people share their confession of faith.
We have often used a prayer time to have people pray the sinner's prayer and while folks were still praying those who had made a confession of faith or even a re-commitment of their faith to raise a hand. Myself and other pastors and lay leadership often try to follow up with those who raised their hands but we do not make them come up front or even publicly acknowledge their faith.
The reason we use this process is that often persons have been in the church for many years and have yet to make a personal confession of faith. I do not believe it is being ashamed of the Gospel but a shame that it has taken so long to receive. These persons are asked to contact a pastor for further prayer and guidance for their walk.
I am open to constructive comments and thought.
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
3 comments:
While I am not too concerned about how the confession of faith is made, I believe that our confession of faith has to be made public sooner or later. I also agree that some will be embarrassed and may not come forward at an invitation, especially someone who has been in the church for a while.
I know from my own personal experience that this kind of fear will inhibit our growth in our relationship with our Lord. I think there needs to be some follow up with those who raise their hand in secret to help develop their walk, if not, it may be easy for the one who raises their hand to say " there, now that’s done". They may need to be introduced to a mentor or one who will help them get into a bible study, a new believers small group, etc. But their confession should be made public as soon as possible, by sharing a testimony, by a believer’s baptism or some other means. As humans we care for our infants and children until they are able to tend to themselves, so it should be with new believers in the Body of Christ.
Bob Rogers' understanding -
I have a lot to say about this...but, for start, I would refer to Mat 10:32, "Whosover therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" following :33, "But, whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" See, I believe there needs to be an adjustment in attitude. If you can't PROCLAIM the decision for Christ, I would venture to say there might be some offense to it somehow. Let's also look at Mat 11:6, "And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me"
But, the more I started looking into this topic and studying...I find that maybe there is even more to the topic. Like, maybe we should be careful to confirm someones salvation. If we can't tell if someone is damned we sure cannot say that they are saved by a simple raise of the hand (while hidden even)
more to come...
Joe & Bob,
These are some good ideas and thoughts for sure. Question: Is a confession witnessed by the pastor(s) and others and probably by those sitting around them a public expression or a denial of Christ? Must a person come to the front of the Sanctuary to make a confession? And if they do not, is this denial? Maybe a person will follow up a semi-public decision for Christ with a public witness or testimony.
If they have not been baptized, they will be encouraged to make a public expression of their faith by receiving baptism and by giving witness. Let’s not be too quick to judge persons. Did either of you stand up front when you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior? Or was your witness a result of growth after that moment?
I hope others join the discussion. See you tomorrow.
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