Part of the justification for infant baptism from Lutherans, etc. that I have heard is that basically, "C" is true.
What I mean is that if "A" is true, that is the person is elect...
and "B" is true, that the Holy Spirit will impart faith to that person...
Then "C" is true, that it doesn't matter what age baptism is administered...
Of course, I couldn't disagree more. I'm not Lutheran, nor Calvinist. However, it's worth pointing out that there is SOME justification given for practicing something that is unscriptural, or at least has no Scriptural precedent.
The Altar Call, or invitation is also given because people believe that "E" is true:
If "A" is true, that God grants faith and repentance through the preaching of the Gospel...
and "B" is true, that God will not strive with man forever...
and "C" is true, that the person is under conviction...
and "D" is true, that a person has a free will...
Then "E" is true, that the person should respond to God's dealing with them.
Is an altar call necessary for salvation. No, not necessarily. However, if the person is being dealt with by God, and they walk away when they had an opportunity to respond to God's dealings, then that person may or may not have another opportunity to be born again.
What is necessary for salvation anyway
1) Repentance - Repentance consists of three aspects: Contrition, Conviction, and Conversion. Contrition is a sorrowing for sin...Conviction is a true knowledge of self that one's self is in fact a sinner...Conversion is the acknowledgement of sin, and the inward turning of the heart toward God away from sin.
2) Faith - Faith consists of three aspects: Intellectual, Emotional, Volitional. Intellectual faith is believing the historical truth of the Gospel, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that He was buried 3 days according to the Scriptures, and that He rose again on the 3rd day...Emotional aspects of faith are often discouraged, however, there can be no denying that emotion is God given, and that faith has an emotional effect...The Volitional aspect of faith is found in repentance. True faith and true repentance always go together. The Volitional aspect of faith is believing UNTO salvation. It is an inward trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and remission of sins.
By offering an invitation, a person has the opportunity to respond publicly. Everyone Jesus called, He called them publicly. He said if we were ashamed to confess Him before men, then He would be ashamed to confess us before His heavenly Father. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate that 1) God is drawing the person, 2) They are experiencing contrition, conviction...3) An opportunity to communicate with God concerning their sin for, perhaps, the first time. 4) the opportunity to confess with their mouth Jesus as Lord of their lives.
Romans 10:9-10 "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation."
It is true that the heart believes "unto righteousness." Therefore, it could be argued that the person is justified before even responding to the invitation. However, Paul also says that the person must confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus. Giving an invitation, and leading a person in prayer to God is an important step in making sure that they understand what all is involved in salvation. Believing without repentance, or "apologizing" for sin, but not truly believing are not acceptable. The invitation is a responsible step to avoid false conversions.
Sometimes altar calls are done sloppily, especially by those who practice "free grace" theology. To tell a person "You are saved," just because they respond to an altar call is irresponsible, and has led to a great many people being decieved.
With that said, there is always going to be false conversion whether an invitation is given or not. Why not go the extra step to carefully explain the way of salvation to a person, and allow them to respond with God's dealings? As the Bible says, "Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, Call ye upon Him while He is near."
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