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Sinners Prayer

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by MB, Apr 9, 2009.

  1. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    Seems there are a lot of people that would cast doubt on such a thing as the sinners prayer. They don't believe it has anything to do with Salvation. Well in away they're right. It doesn't exactly. However when you set back and realize that any prayer to God the Father is a public confession that He exist. It means that you already believe in Him which is why you find your self on your knees before Him in Love.
    This verse I'm about to post proves that a man who confesses Christ before men is saved.
    Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

    Did Christ lie?????
    Those of you who hate the sinners prayer should ask your self. Who do you believe your self or the WORD.
    MB
     
  2. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I think if a sinner's prayer is said with sincerity, it's fine.

    I led my lifelong agnostic father in a sinner's prayer when he was in the hospital. He was almost 80 years old, and he died 2 months later.

    I posted a story about what happened after and somehow hit a key and lost it. I may post it later.
     
  3. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how Matthew 10:32 relates to the Sinner's Prayer. Seems as if you're trying to prove something nobody here disputes.

    Here's the problem with the Sinner's Prayer: It has been corrupted by the easy believism folks. Now, no one will deny that if one cries out for mercy to God in repentance and faith, God will hear him. God does not turn a deaf ear to a lost sinner who asks God to save him.

    I the zeal to add a notch to the soul-winner's belt, some have simply turned a cry for mercy into some magic words. It is couched in such language as "pray this prayer," "repeat after me," etc. Followed by "if you prayed that prayer (and were really, really, really sincere), then you're saved and don't let anybody tell you differently."

    Some of the most chilling words I have ever heard were this answer by someone asked about their hope of heaven: "Well, I said the prayer."

    We will search the New Testament and find no instance in which anyone told someone to pray a prayer for salvation. John the Baptist, Jesus himself, Peter and Paul had this exhortation: Repent. Elsewhere, they called on people to believe. Paul, on Mars Hill told the philosophers, "God commands all men everywhere to repent." Their response a couple of verses later (in Acts 17): "...but some believed."

    Philip's question to the Ethiopian Eunuch was "do you believe this?"

    Paul's answer to the Phillipian jailer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

    Paul's letter to the Romans: "Whoever will confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that he rose from the dead, will be saved."

    My pastor's question to me, a 9-year-old boy under great conviction: "Do you repent of your sin and trust Christ for your salvation?"

    The problem with the Sinner's Prayer is not its use; it is its misuse.
     
  4. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    I think you are misunderstanding the objections people have raised to "the sinner's prayer".

    The objection is not to a sinner praying...that is...crying out to Almighty God, broken and humbled, for mercy.

    The objection is to people saying..."If you want to be saved, come to the front and repeat after me......'Father, I know I'm a sinner.....'.....now since you've said the prayer, you are saved. Don't let anyone tell you you're not saved...."

    We should not present salvation as something accomplished by saying a prayer. We should not declare people to be saved (or unsaved for that matter) but only to be walking, or not walking, in a manner worthy of their profession of faith.

    peace to you:praying:
     
  5. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Yikes! Tom Butler beat me to it!:thumbs:

    peace to you:praying:
     
  6. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Great minds think alike, right?
     
  7. Shortandy

    Shortandy New Member

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    A great ephasis has been put on the prayer that shouldn't be there. We have the whole ABC's of becoming a Christian mentality that most VBS literature promotes. But notice that says nothing about repentance which was the first thing Christ came preaching and it was repentance that John the Baptist preached as he was preparing the way of the Lord.

    Repentance is not prayer. They are different. I would site Acts chapter 8. Simon is told to do two things; repent and pray. There is a distinction made between the two. So the simple act of praying will save no one unless repentance is involved.
     
  8. ReformedBaptist

    ReformedBaptist Well-Known Member

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    Not only is repentance not a prayer, but neither is biblical faith! True repentence and biblical trust (faith) into Jesus Christ is born from above and does not originate in man. It is a work of God through and through. From faith, to faith.

    The "sinners prayer" is an invention of man in order to create a formula for salvation born out of arminian and fee-willism heresy. Plain and simple.

    RB
     
  9. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    We are to preach the gospel, and if someone ask how to receive Christ and responds that he or she would like to become a Christian, what are we supposed to tell them? "Sorry, you shouldn't have to inquire or ask questions. If your desire to receive Christ were real you would know what to do since salvation does not involve you in any way."
     
  10. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    You should tell them what scripture says. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and that He was raised from the dead, and that more than 500 people witnessed His resurrection. That every Christian will also be resurrected in the day of judgement to accompany Jesus Christ into heaven.

    You tell them that salvation, as presented in scripture, is always accompanied by a transformed life....a life then lived for the cause of Christ in the world. You tell them a person who has claimed the name of Jesus Christ, but still walks in darkness...is a liar...and the Truth is not in Him.

    You tell them being a Christian is not easy. You tell them that God doesn't necessarily want them to be healthy or wealthy. You tell them they will suffer persecution (everyone who desires to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted).

    You tell them the things lost or what they suffer for the cause of Christ in world cannot be compared to the indescribable glory we will share with Him in heaven.

    You tell them that every Christian will persevere through such suffering because of the enabling power of Holy Spirit that indwells them and is the pledge proof of God's work in their lives and the promises in the resurrection to come. You tell them that if they fall away, and refuse to repent, it is proof they were never a true Christian.
    No, that would be unbiblical. Just like saying, "repeat after me...'Father forgive me...' now get baptized so we can add you to the annual report and don't let anyone ever tell you that you are not saved."

    peace to you:praying:
     
    #10 canadyjd, Apr 10, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 10, 2009
  11. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    To listen to some pastors it does seem as if they have an ego to fulfill I know that's true. I always got a tickel out of some of the TV evanglist who's pride in what they believe, is there doing.


    It's why when we watched a Billy Graham Crusade we were all amazed at how many came forward. When most of them came forward to help the lost souls and weren't really being saved. It's a concept that if others are doing it I should too. It gets people down in front but I question whether all are saved.
    People should be made aware that Belief comes from the heart and you can believe right in your seat and be saved. As I said on the other thread that the Prayer is more for the person than it is for there Salvation. Coming forward; It's a get 'er done thing. The pastor says to himself;
    Lets hurry and get this repentance and confession over with before they have a chance to back out. Almost like he gottem trapped. In actuality they should be told the reason why they are coming forward and that is to make a public confession and repentance of there sins and if they don't know quite what to do in how to pray then lead them in prayer for the first time. Not a repeating of the prayer but an out line so they can pray what they them selves want to pray. The prayer should be more demonstrative for them after all they might just be new in Christ.
    I really like the underlined above and I agree this is what should be done (if anything is done) and then afterwards (if desired) a prayer of thanksgiving for what has been done.
    You know honestly you can tell a million people about Christ and never know if even one actually believed the gospel they receive from you until you meet them on the other shore. IMHO ego has no place in preaching the gospel.
    Like you the pastor asked me the same thing except it was more do I believe Christ died for me and after three days rose again and then do I repent and trust in Christ as my Savior.
    My sinners prayer was confession of being a sinner then asking Him to please save me and thanksgiving for my Salvation.
    I was older than you by about 5 years and I already knew all the steps. It just took a while for the conviction to set in.
    MB
     
  12. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    Hi Marcia;
    My condolences for your father I lost mine as well a few years ago. My father and mother were both much stronger christians than I am. They taught the Bible to me most of my life. What they taught me stayed with me thank God. As long as there is life there is always hope. It's good you had the opportunity to do that with your father.
    MB
     
  13. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    I agree. Salvation isn't our accomplishment, it's God's
    MB
     
  14. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    There are a lot more that do this than just Arminians.
    MB
     
  15. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

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    How about the same words Paul used.
    Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
    Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
    MB
     
  16. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    There's nothing inherently wrong with the "Sinners' Prayer", itself. All it really is is a way to codify the understanding of sin, repentence and faith in Christ required for salvation.

    But the problem is more with the way it's presented. All too often, it's presented as a quick way to salvation and I've heard so many preachers say, "and if you prayed that prayer, you can be assured that you're saved".

    I prayed that prayer repeatedly and I wasn't saved. And I believe my story is very common. I believe this is one of the reasons there are so many false converts today.
     
  17. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    You are way out of line. While you may not agree with arminianism or free will, to call them heresy is wrong...and uncalled for. Clearly this is an attack. What ever happened to wanting to discuss things here in a grace filled manner? You are taking the road I see many cal's take here on the BB...
     
  18. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Is this a cookie cutter approach with everyone? This "Christianese" you speak probably won't be understood by someone that is not saved.
     
  19. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    This "cookie cutter approach" is simply telling them what scripture says. Why does that bother you?

    peace to you:praying:
     
  20. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    I disagree. I believe that's a very simple explanation of the Gospel that can be understood by all. If they don't understand it, there's nothing stopping them from asking questions or for clarification.

    I don't really care whether it's a "cookie cutter approach" or not. It's Biblical and that's what I'm shooting for.
     
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