I can't think of anything to defend the man's actions. The only time rejection (on earth) is in the Bible is of people who proclaim faith but have open sin, and even in this case there is no reason to push anyone. It seems that the man was just being pushy.Not only is the altar call not found in Scripture, neither is repeating a prayer. Like Ray Comfort says, if you have to lead someone through anything, your message is lacking.If I have cheated on my wife, should a friend have to scold me, and then lead me to my wife and say, 'Repeat after me. Dear wife.'"Dear wife."'I'm sorry.'"I'm sorry."I think it is that silly placing words in someone's mouth. There may be a time for it, but this is one example of the tragedy of relying upon it so heavily. I have heard of this confessinal type evangelism, and while it is Biblical, I think that giving someone no option other than doing exactly what you have prescribed can lead to things like this. The verses that come to mind are:Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."This verse clearly speaks of confession, but also shows the root of the confession, that it is from a heart condition. The parable of the sower and other verses clearly give a picture of God's increase taking time, and describe the change in a person in terms of 'increase,' the same way you would describe the growing of a plant over time. I know I went through a long period of time after my conversion feeling really weird and almost worried my experience wasn't valid. Mostly because I had not read a prescribed prayer, and I heard others doing this. After I read through the Bible, I was releaved that this repeated prayer was not in the Bible, and a little upset that so many seemed to be more cliché with their Christianity, rather than biblical.Another verse that makes me think this evangelist was in error:John 7:37 "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."Jesus never, to my memory, seperated anyone out of his following. He preached, and it was the truth of the messages that caused people to turn away, not picking people out and telling them to leave. What about Judas? Jesus let the betrayer hang around to the bitter end.I think you would be not only justified approaching the evangelist, but Scriptural. Talk to your pastor first (I can't remember if you said you had), to make sure your pastor is in agreement. Hopefully the pastor will agree with you, and if not, you may have a reason to go elsewhere.I think these verses apply here from Matthew 18:[15] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.[16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.[17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.Remember that his cruelty, though, is no reason to be cruel to him. He must be dealt with out of love. You may steer the man into correction that will bring a harvest of souls in the future.
