Matthew 16:13-20
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
As a Lutheran Pastor, I’m often drawn into conversations with folks from other Christian faith traditions about Altar Calls and the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus. I welcome those conversations because they give me a chance to dispel some misperceptions about Lutherans and to affirm the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus.
Lutherans absolutely affirm and support the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus for a healthy life of faith. We don’t equate that relationship with salvation because we understand ourselves to be saved once and for all time on the Cross of Christ, along with all humanity. We take cradle to grave Christian education very seriously, and encourage discipleship among our members. Sunday School teachers, Confirmation mentors, new member shepherds, etc. are just a few examples of that.
The most famous “Altar Call” in history is St. Peter’s profession of Jesus at Caesarea Phillippi. Jesus asks, “but who do you say that I am”, and Peter publicly professes his acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, the Lord. Jesus offers each of us that opportunity as well. For some of us, it’s a moment of profound emotional connection. For others, it’s a public profession of faith. Others may simply know in the depths of their hearts that Jesus is Lord. However it happens, every Christian is called upon, not only to accept Jesus as Lord, but to profess that Truth in the world.
Prayer: Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ. The Son of God who is coming into the world. (John 11:27) AMEN