When the pastor says all eyes closed



  • Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Should a person who accepts the Lord as Savior and invites Him into their heart do so in public or secret?
🙋😕😌
 I really can see both sides both sides of this issue.  Sometimes I think this is a toughie and sometimes I think 'oh brother, what's the big deal?'  So Christian, you decide. 

When I was growing up and when I invited the Lord into my heart, I went forward at a service and made a public declaration. I was 12.

Now I am 59 and up until about 15 years ago, churches still asked people to come forward if they wanted to accept the Lord.

Gradually, so gradually that I didn't even really think about it, change began.  Instead of asking people to come forward and make a public declaration of their faith, speakers started making everyone close their eyes and bow their heads and asking the following question in a variety of ways.

"Every eye closed and every head bowed, if you want to follow Jesus and want to invite him into your life, just slip up your hand or catch my eye."



Really?  Is it a secret now?  I understand that some people are shy.  I understand that coming to the front is difficult.  But shouldn't it be difficult?  It is a serious commitment.

 John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
  

Now I'm not saying that those who accept the Lord in private are not saved - no no no.  Everyone who calls on the Lord in Faith and believes is saved.  I'm just wondering if sometimes things that are harder to do make more of an impact in the life of the person who did it.

 John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

I don't believe that the verses about denying Christ in public apply here because accepting in secret is not denying unless of course they leave the church and continue to live a sinful life and tell people they are not Christians.  Tell me what you think. 

 Acts 4:12  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved

Questions:
  • How do you feel about preachers asking these declaration of faith to be secret from the body?
  • Is it important to make a public declaration or not?
  • Is there a better way that can meet both needs? 
A little of what the Bible Says about salvation 

Romans 10:9  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart  that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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