There were no altar calls until recent Evangelical Protestantism - since it is a Evangelical concept. Catholic calls for repentance (in the Bible, early Christian era, Medieval Christian era, modern times) use some of the same language but are not an appeal to easy belief nor Once Saved Always Saved nor anything else that Protestant.
As St. Paul himself demonstrated in his own words he knew he was saved, was being saved and would be saved. He did not believe in the “Once Saved Only Saved” concept that is at the bedrock of the “Altar Call” in Evangelical Protestantism. Hence, those who believe in OSAS are much more likely to put stock in Altar Calls as a standard practice.
Many Protestants are more than willing to state that “Altar Calls” are a recent invention. Example:
“The altar call, contrary to what many believe, is a recent phenomenon made popular by the early 1800’s preacher, Charles Finney. Finney asserted that men and woman could be persuaded into believing the gospel by simply creating the perfect storm. An appeal to the emotions, the right lighting and music, and voila…you had yourself a convert. OK, I may be taking it a little further than Finney expressed, but it is clear he intentionally appealed to the emotions, believing that men and women could will themselves into belief.” http://thefrontporch.org/2014/02/wheres-the-altar-call/
http://www.pastormattrichard.com/2012/07/did-you-know-that-altar-call-is-modern.html
You should learn your history.
37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37 NASB
You mean like these people?
Peter and the people at Pentecost and all of the others who responded to the Gospel message would disagree with you.
[Roman] Catholic calls for repentance (in the Bible, early Christian era, Medieval Christian era, modern times) use some of the same language but are not an appeal to easy belief nor Once Saved Always Saved nor anything else that Protestant.
I'm not aware of a call to "an easy belief" in my church. I've never held the view that you just say, "I believe" and that's it. I've understood once you decide to believe in Him...you believed in Him and followed Him.You do what He says.
Regarding the security of your salvation.
13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NASB
An appeal to the emotions, the right lighting and music, and voila…you had yourself a convert. OK, I may be taking it a little further than Finney expressed, but it is clear he intentionally appealed to the emotions, believing that men and women could will themselves into belief.”
You certainly are...What you are describing is the Catholic religion...The incense, the long, fancy robes, the tapestries, the claim of Jesus sitting in a wafer up there by the priests, the 'religious' atmosphere...
What you don't get is the work of the Holy Spirit in the process...Sure, some people do the altar call and make the sinner's prayer out of emotion and not conviction...The bible tells us about that...So you're not revealing some big secret...
We do however know that salvation is the result of preaching and hearing the word of God...
In my experience most of those coming forward at an altar call are under Spiritual conviction and when they get to the front they have one question...And that question is: Sirs what must I do to be saved???
They are then told to speak (pray) to God using words from the scriptures that we are to us when we come to God; trust, believe, mercy, confess, and a few others...