Old Timers and Newbies........differences...
 

I was talking with a friend recently about how in the old timers days, which I now find myself, :( things were a lot different than they are now.

1. When a sinner came to the altar, they pretty much came alone. There was no mass everyone come to the front.

2. Rarely did I see someone get the Holy Ghost the first time they went to the altar, but I did see a lot of tears and repenting.

3. Once they got the Holy Ghost most seemed to keep it from many years, and it was a big deal when someone backslid.

Now I see things seemed to have changed.

1. Most sinners come in a group and you miss who is there for prayer many times. I guess this is to keep them from feeling embarrased? Not sure why/when, or how this got started. Maybe to get the saints to come down and pray???

2. Most seem to the the Holy Ghost the first time they come to the altar. Is this because of the latter day rain?

3. There seems to be a revolving door of in today and out tomorrow. Many times we never see the person that prayed through even come back.

Why the difference?

We live in different times. People are apt to make snap decisions and not really be committed to them, hence, go to the alter, repent, receive, then leave and not come back. Could we be planting a lot of seeds on the stony ground? Maybe the ground is not being plowed and prepared like it should be.

You think that is it?

Esther, what was the Day of Pentecost like? Did you see Bro Strange or any other AFF'ers there?

Grasshopper don't forget I know where you live!:telephone

[QUOTE=Esther;239047]I was talking with a friend recently about how in the old timers days, which I now find myself, :( things were a lot different than they are now.

1. When a sinner came to the altar, they pretty much came alone. There was no mass everyone come to the front.

2. Rarely did I see someone get the Holy Ghost the first time they went to the altar, but I did see a lot of tears and repenting.

3. Once they got the Holy Ghost most seemed to keep it from many years, and it was a big deal when someone backslid.

Now I see things seemed to have changed.

1. Most sinners come in a group and you miss who is there for prayer many times. I guess this is to keep them from feeling embarrased? Not sure why/when, or how this got started. Maybe to get the saints to come down and pray???

2. Most seem to the the Holy Ghost the first time they come to the altar. Is this because of the latter day rain?

3. There seems to be a revolving door of in today and out tomorrow. Many times we never see the person that prayed through even come back.

Why the difference?

In case you missed the question. :)

That may be true, but I could easily break your cane and tip over your wheel-chair if you ever decided to show up.... :D

I think the pressure of the world is far more strong today and affects things like these. Just the world's generations themselves become harder with each generation. Desensitized.

a) because people now days are reluctant to publically acknowledge they have sin in their life and have built up a high-tolerance to conviction preaching and don't understand what true, sincere repentance is....
b) Nope, God is still the same. Focused teaching/preaching during the message perhaps better prepare the sinner to understand how to receive the Holy Ghost during the altar call....
c) Three words: Lack of Committment. People like to have a "back door" available to them to ensure they always have convenient choices for lifestyle.... lack of new-convert discipleship, inability to connect with the church body, etc could also affect this as well....

just a few thoughts....

Esther,

I think Rev DWW hit the nail on the head. We live in a different time. Snap decisions and little committment are the norm.