When the sermon ends at the Decker Prairie church of Christ, the preacher offers what we call the invitation. While we sing a hymn, anyone who wants to obey the gospel, or any Christian who wants us to pray for him or her, can come to the front. You’re free to stay seated through the whole thing. Most of us do, most weeks.
Here’s what it looks like. The preacher closes with a short appeal, a song leader starts a hymn, and everyone stands to sing it. If someone’s responding, they walk up during the song and sit on the front pew or speak quietly with the preacher, and the rest of us keep singing. When the song ends a brief statement is made. If someone wants to be baptized into Christ, we do it right then. If they need the prayers of the congregation, we offer a prayer. While a specific invitation period is not a mandatory part of worship, we like to take a moment to focus on the spiritual needs of anyone present. We believe this to be important and urgent.
Acts 2:37-41 and Acts 22:16, The First Invitation and No Reason to Wait
The very first gospel sermon ended with a question from the crowd: “Brothers, what shall we do?” (). Peter didn’t tell them to think it over for a month. He said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” ().
So baptism is one of the two reasons someone walks forward here. We take that verse at its word. Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. And it’s immersion, a burial in water and a rising up (; ). About three thousand people were baptized that same day (). Real purpose often starts with one decision made on an ordinary Sunday.
An Ethiopian official heard the gospel on a desert road. When he saw water, he stopped his chariot and was baptized on the spot ().
Paul heard it too. “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (). So we don’t make a person who’s ready sit on it until some later date. The invitation gives them the chance right then.
James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9, When One of Our Own Comes Forward
Sometimes the person walking up is a member. Christians sometimes sin and desire for the church to pray with him or her, and share in the burdens ahead. Our congregation is a family. We are here to encourage each other and hold each other accountable. This is an opportunity for us to surround someone with love who may be struggling.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (). And God’s promise waits for anyone who does: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (). Simon in Samaria, freshly baptized, sinned and asked the apostles to pray for him (). Paul tells spiritual people to restore a brother gently (). Sin can be shameful and humiliating. Admitting it can be embarrassing. The goal of the church is not to hold that over someone’s head, but to help them overcome sin through the grace of Jesus.
Acts 2:40 and 2 Corinthians 5:20, The Command Behind Our Custom
So is the invitation in the Bible? We won’t pretend there’s a verse that tells us to sing a hymn at the end of every sermon. There isn’t.
What the Bible does command is preaching the gospel and urging people to obey it. Peter “continued to exhort them” (). Paul called the apostles’ message an appeal to be reconciled to God (). Singing is commanded as well (; ). The invitation song is a custom that has become one way to carry out a biblical principle.
You’re Welcome Here
There are 260 to 270 of us on Hardin Store Road in Magnolia, and we’d rather you understand the invitation before you ever see it. Fair warning: the building can be tricky to find. Watch for our sign on Hardin Store at the only road leading in, then follow it around the corner, and if the front lot is full, there’s a second lot in front of the portable. Celeste Barrow, one of our Google reviewers, wrote: “We have a wonderful preacher that preaches straight from the bible! The singing is beautiful.” Come hear both for yourself, and find the family you were made to belong to.
Plan your visit and we’ll be glad to see you, with no pressure at the end.
To read what the Bible says about how to be saved, start here.
When we meet:
- Sunday: Worship 10am, Bible Class 5pm
- Wednesday: Bible Class 7:30 pm
