No alters in new churches, but larger stages!

[Sister Alvear]

Our alter is anywhere we chose to pray...

[tv1a]

It's true. DL Moody, Billy Sunday and others used this method so they could track conversions. Pentecostals take this concept a step further so they can twist people into pretzels.

Originally Posted by Innocuous

The repentant altar in a church is a relatively new thing and a result of 'new' methods adopted by revivalists of the 19th century. There is no mandate in the Bible for an altar in a building just as there is no mandate for a building either. These are all cultural practices invented by the church over time, like so much of what we do in church.

[tv1a]

I hope that puts a burr in Epley's saddle. lol
He's the expert on trinitarian concepts.

Originally Posted by Sam

no, one altar.

This past Wednesday I concluded a series on The Name(s) of God that I started before Christmas at our midweek Bible Study. We went through the standard terms for God like El Shaddai and Elohim and how those tell what God is but are not names. Then compound redemptive names, showing each time how those compound redemptive names are fulfilled in Jesus. Then how Yeshua or Yehoshua is YHWH-savior and whatever YHWH was in the OT is found in Jesus in the NT and how Jesus is God's highest name. There were no questions about "trinity" or "persons."

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Our alter is anywhere we chose to pray...

AMEN

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Our alter is anywhere we chose to pray...

and a trip to the altar can really alter us

[Sam]

speaking of "the altar"

I love this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOhdC131xk

The Altar
by Ray Boltz

The service is nearing an end
The choir is singing "Just As I Am"
And now as that old song is played
People at the altar are kneeling down to pray
Some are finding mercy
Forgiveness for their sin
Some are fighting battles
They’ve been struggling to win
The time has come to give them to the Lord
That’s what this altar is for

That’s what this altar is for
You don’t have to carry those burdens anymore
There’s a light in the darkness
And there’s a love that’s true
And Jesus is waiting
Waiting here for you
Go quickly now before they close the door
That’s what this altar is for

I see a father is praying with his son
Momma kneels beside them
Thanking God they’ve come
There’s an old man standing there in tears
Giving up a part of him
He’s held back for years
Hearts are being broken
Lives are being changed
And those who call upon Him
They will never be the same
The time has come to give in to the Lord
That’s what this altar is for

That’s what this altar is for
You don’t have to carry those burdens anymore
There’s a light in the darkness
And there’s a love that’s true
And Jesus is waiting
He is waiting here for you
Go quickly now before they close the door

You can give your burdens to the Lord
That’s what this altar is for.

[missourimary]

I have never been to an Apostolic or Pentecostal church that had no altar area. I have been to ones where there were no altar benches, but there were alternatives. People always went to the front to pray. Going to the front has nothing to do with an area being holier. It has to do with being together in unity focused in prayer and on God in a closer space, physically moving forward as a sign of commitment and change, and making a definte place of prayer in our lives. Altars can be benches, chairs, pews, the edge of the platform, or just open space, to name a few. Prayer rooms are good too. Our church has both altars and prayer rooms. People prefer the altars here.

We just added 2 more altar benches at my church.

[theman238]

Psh, haven't you people got the point yet? an alter doesn't have to be close to the front where the preacher or or other brethren can pray for you or where you can lay hands on someone seeking the Holy Ghost, it could be in the middle of row three, maybe kneeling down just behind the last row. I personally like going to pray in the bathroom with my brethren.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by theman238

Psh, haven't you people got the point yet? an alter doesn't have to be close to the front where the preacher or or other brethren can pray for you or where you can lay hands on someone seeking the Holy Ghost, it could be in the middle of row three, maybe kneeling down just behind the last row. I personally like going to pray in the bathroom with my brethren.