Organ music softly played as people filed quietly from their Sunday School classes into the sanctuary of the small Baptist church. Ushers stood at the back doors to greet the people coming in from off the street, and especially to welcome any visitors. With a membership of around 200, the attendance usually averaged about 120 or so and this is how the service went….
The choir took their places behind the pulpit and the Pastor, the song leader, and the Sunday School Director sat in front of them. Once the crowd was settled into their seats, the Sunday School Director stepped to the podium and someone was asked to pray. Scripture was read and discussed then he returned to his seat. The song leader stepped up then and instructed us what page to turn to in the hymnals provided in each row of pews. A rousing hymn such as “There is Power in The Blood” rang out as everyone joined in. The Pastor got up then to pray, welcome the visitors and make any announcements about coming events, etc.
The choir sang a special song then we all joined in for several others. The song service lasted about thirty minutes. Songs like “At Calvary” reminded us of when we were saved and the mercy God shows which is new every day. “He Lives” tells us God is not dead, but living in the hearts of those who believe. “Onward Christian Soldiers” is a battle song that tells us to never give up as God goes before us to face any obstacles Satan puts in our pathway. All these songs of worship and praise, with the help of the Holy Spirit, prepares our hearts and minds to welcome and absorb the Word God has for us on this day.
The younger children were dismissed to the fellowship hall where a worship service geared to their level of understanding was about to begin. Offering plates were passed around and the choir dismissed.
The Pastor then got up and delivered the message God had placed on his heart to share with us from the Bible. He always closed his sermon with a few words for the lost….encouraging anyone who might feel God calling them to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Some He might be calling to a special service or simply to rededicate their lives due to circumstances known only to them. With heads bowed and all eyes closed the Spirit moved among the people convicting those who would humble themselves and come to Him for whatever reason. We sang a song of invitation such as “Just as I Am” and prayed for the people to come.
At the close of the service, the Pastor calls on someone in the congregation to pray and he makes his way to the back of the church in order to greet each one with a handshake as we head for home.
This has been the order of service for most churches I have attended with a few variations. I read an article the other day about how the churches have changed and why some are considered old fashioned and out of touch with people of today. They thought the idea of having greeters to welcome visitors was not a good idea as it made people uncomfortable. I would think the opposite was true myself. The music in some churches are too old-fashioned and need to include more instruments other than a piano and an organ, the article said. I’m sorry, but some of the loud, rocking music they call Conservative Christian or “modern” is not the kind of music to put one into a mood of reverence and worship. “Love Lifted Me” is a much better choice.
Most of their arguments for change were minor and of little importance, but the one that concerned me involved our invitation for the lost to come for repentance and accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. “Where in the Bible,” the writer asked, “does it say one must make a public confession of sin in order to be saved?” Let’s see if we can clear up the confusion on this subject.
Matthew 10:32 says: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
In the Baptist church this is referred to as a ” public profession of faith.” No one is expected to confess to the church the nature of any specific sin one has committed. By walking the aisle and taking the preacher’s hand you are making a public profession that you have come to the decision that you are a sinner and have a need for a savior who will forgive those sins and accept you as one of His own. You believe in your heart that He is who He says He is, that He is God’s son, born to a virgin and that He died on the cross to save you from your sins.
The decision to believe and accept Christ as your Savior does not have to be made in church. It can happen anywhere, but God says we must be willing to stand up and make our decision public and not be ashamed to profess our faith before men. Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Church is not meant to be a social gathering where we get together with friends and family solely for our comfort and enjoyment. It is meant to be a place of worship and renewal where believers share their faith and are taught how better to serve our Lord. Plus it is a place many are saved. Salvation can come at any time or place, but we need to share our decision with other believers and let them rejoice with us. The encouragement of others goes a long way in keeping us on the right path and putting God first in our lives.
For churches to do away with the invitation to profess our faith and accept Christ would defeat their whole purpose. If you attend a church where no invitation is given, I would consider finding one that does. One purpose of the church is to make disciples for Christ. If we ignore that, we might as well close the doors.
To simplify it for some let me put it this way: We confess our sins to God and they are covered by the blood of His son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross (He literally took our place) in order that our sins could be forgiven. 1 John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus did not die on the cross in secret. It was in public in a crowd that he was taunted, laughed at, tortured and killed…. for us. If people feel a little uncomfortable hearing the story and the Holy Spirit moves them to step out and accept His invitation for salvation then the church has served it’s purpose and God is glorified.
Let us not be too quick to accept change just for the sake of keeping up with the times. Some things do not change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and always…. and the one and only path to heaven and to the Father is through Him. Let us not ever be ashamed to stand up and confess that He is God!
