"The Sinner's Prayer"
In tracts, in books,
and on the internet I find different versions of the Sinner’s Prayer. The idea behind this prayer is that we can
pray our way to salvation. It is taught that if a person sincerely recites this prayer, sins are forgiven and they
become a Christian on the spot. This is taught on the radio, on the television and in churches, and you can go just
about anywhere in the world and find someone teaching the sinner’s prayer.
Few people question it. It seems
that the world just accepts it, without any thought. Many Bible believers accept it as part of their
faith.
But where is it in the Bible? I
have never seen a scripture quoted with the prayer, citing where it can be found in the Bible. I have used
concordances and my bible software to search for it as well. I have never found it in the Bible. I have never found
a single conversion in the New Testament where the prayer was used.
Why then do so many professing to
follow the Bible for their faith teach the sinner’s prayer? I suspect that some have embraced it because someone,
they trusted and respected, taught them to accept it.
In Acts 17, we find bible
believers questioning the apostle Paul’s preaching. They went to the scriptures to see if he was telling the truth.
Was Paul offended? No. The scriptures called these Bible believers noble, because they checked the scriptures.
Everyone needs to examine the scriptures, and compare it to what they are taught.
What Bible examples do we have of
conversions? How did people become Christians in New Testament times? Let us look at the table below, to see how
they did.
|
Preached
To
|
Believed
|
Repented
|
Confessed
|
Baptized
|
Result
Indicated
|
Pentecost
Acts 2:14-41 |
"They were pierced to the
heart"
Acts 2:37 |
"Repent"
Acts 2:38 |
|
"Be Baptized" Acts
2:38-41 |
"Remission Of
Sins"
Acts 2:38-47 |
| Solomon's
Porch Acts 3:11-4:4 |
"believed"
Acts 4:4 |
"repent ye"
Acts 3:19 |
|
|
|
| Samaritans Acts
8:4-5 |
"they believed"
Acts 8:12 |
|
|
"they were
baptized"
Acts 8:12-13 |
|
| Ethiopian Acts
8:30-35 |
"If thou believest"
Acts 8:37 |
|
"I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God"
Acts 8:36-37 |
"he baptized him"
Acts 8:38-39 |
"he went on his way
rejoicing"
Acts 8:39 |
Saul
Acts 9:17-18; 22:5-16 26:12-18 |
|
|
|
"baptized"
Acts 9:18
|
"be baptized, and wash away thy
sins"
Acts 22:16 |
| Cornelius Acts 10:34-44,
11:1,18 |
"believeth in him"
Acts 10:43 |
"repentance unto
life"
Acts 11:18
|
|
"commanded them to be
baptized"
Acts 10:48
|
"remission of
sins"
Acts 10:43 |
| Lydia Acts
16:13-14 |
|
|
|
"was baptized"
Acts 16:15 |
|
| Jailer Acts
16:30-32 |
"Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ"
Acts 8:31 |
"washed their stripes"
Acts 16:33
|
|
"was baptized"
Acts 16:33 |
"Rejoiced"
Acts 16:34 |
Crispus and the
Corinthians
Acts 18:7-8 |
"believed on the
Lord"
Acts 18:8
|
|
|
"were baptized"
Acts 18:8
|
|
The sinner's prayer is nowhere to be
found. What we find is that:
-
The people were preached
to -"How then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14
KJV)
-
The people believed the
Gospel -"But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)
-
The people repented of their
sins -"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3 KJV)
-
The people confessed their
faith -"For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10
KJV)
-
And the people were
baptized -"Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is
dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:3-7 KJV)
This is how people were saved
in New Testament times. The Gospel that saved then, can save today. Have you obeyed the Gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ?
"Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:8-9 KJV)
R. Marín
©1998, 1999 R. Marín. Permission granted to use
this article in any manner, as long as:
1) the content is not changed and 2) the name of the author is left on the
article.
|