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The \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tom Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A common misconception among many denominations, which is often taught and practiced today, is that non-Christians can be forgiven and become Christians by praying a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d to invite Jesus into their hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is one such example from a very popular tract, entitled, Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws?,<\/em> written by Bill Bright, back in 1952, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951. In this tract, the reader is told, \u201cYou can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer\u2026\u201d The following suggested prayer is then given: \u201cLord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.\u201d The tract then goes on to say, \u201cDoes this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out of curiosity, I searched to find how many of these tracts have been printed and distributed since its beginning. Here is what some different sources said: \u201cwell over 25 million printed copies being distributed by 1980\u201d (R.K. Johnston, Four Spiritual Laws<\/em>). Another source stated, \u201cover one hundred million copies have been distributed in all the major languages of the world\u201d (Crustore.org, 4 Spiritual Laws<\/em>), while others have placed the number at \u201cApproximately 1.5 billion\u201d (Mike Riley, Four Flaws in the Four Spiritual Laws<\/em>), and even \u201cover 2.5 billion\u201d and in \u201cover 200 languages\u201d (Steve Murrell, A Short History of Campus Ministry,<\/em> December 2016). So I can not give an exact answer, but definitely many have been printed and distributed over all these years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m sorry to say that before becoming a Christian in 1977, I had also mistakenly passed out many of these tracts and others that contained a similar kind of \u201csinner\u2019s prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n I cite from this particular tract because I was overwhelmed with how many people it has been distributed to. And that is just one particular tract! But then when we add that to the many other tracts that also teach the \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d to become a Christian, is there any wonder why so many people do not see baptism as having any connection with conversion \u2014 but as only for those who are already \u201csaved\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where in the Bible, however, can we find the verses for the New Testament Age, which began after the Lord\u2019s crucifixion, in which prayer is shown as being the means whereby a non-Christian can be forgiven and become a Christian?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scriptures often cited to attempt to prove the \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d are verses that pertain to Christians who have sinned and need to be forgiven. For instance, when John writes, \u201cIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness\u201d (1 Jn. 1:9), he was writing to Christians: \u201cSee how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God\u2026\u201d (1 Jn. 3:1-2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another passage often misused is Revelation 3:20: \u201cBehold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.\u201d But to whom is Jesus saying this? Not to the world in general, but to the church at Laodicea that had become lukewarm (indifferent toward spiritual things); and the Lord was about ready to \u201cvomit\u201d them out (v. 16, NKJV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another passage that is often misapplied today is Acts 2:21 in which Peter is quoting Joel\u2019s prophecy and ends by saying, \u201cAnd it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.\u201d Though that might sound like a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer,\u201d what does this same chapter show that individuals did in order to be forgiven and become Christians? Did they pray a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d? Were they instructed to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In reading on, we see that they were told by the apostle Peter to \u201cknow for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ \u2013 this Jesus whom you crucified\u201d (v. 36). So they were to believe in who Jesus was \u2014 but was that all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice that \u201cwhen they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, \u2018Brethren, what shall we do?\u2019\u201d (v. 37). The use of the word \u201cBrethren\u201d was in the sense of just being fellow Jews \u2014 rather than fellow Christians. For it was mandatory for all the male Jews to be in Jerusalem to observe the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which they had been doing. So these who asked that question were not yet Christians \u2013 and that is why they are asking. Also, the fact that they were \u201cpierced to the heart\u201d indicates they had believed the message about Jesus and were now feeling conviction for their sins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So how did Peter answer their question of \u201cwhat shall we do?\u201d As noted, he already told them of the need to believe in Jesus, before they even asked that question; but now Peter is showing that it takes more than merely a belief toward whom Jesus is \u2014 and, apparently, they understood that, too. For in answering them, Peter instructed, \u201cRepent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins\u2026\u201d (v. 38).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Greek word for \u201cfor\u201d (eis), in the phrase \u201cfor the forgiveness of your sins\u201d (Acts 2:38), does not mean \u201cbecause of\u201d (dia). Rather, it is a word that means \u201cinto,\u201d which is its most common translation in more than a thousand verses of the New Testament. It is also seen, for example, in Matthew 2:11: \u201cAfter coming INTO [eis] the house they saw the Child\u2026\u201d In addition, the phrase \u201cfor the remission of sins\u201d (Acts 2:38, KJV) is also seen in Matthew 26:28, where Jesus declares, \u201cfor this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many FOR [eis] the remission of sins\u201d (KJV, emphasis mine). Did Jesus suffer and die because sins had already been forgiven \u2014 or did He do so in order that they could be? Baptism, when preceded with the other necessary steps, is that which is \u201cunto\u201d or \u201cinto\u201d the forgiveness of sins. This can also be inferred from the fact that the need to be baptized is coupled with the need to repent. For why does one repent? Do we do so because our sins have already been forgiven? Or is repentance one of the steps toward obtaining that forgiveness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice in Peter\u2019s response (Acts 2:38) to their question of \u201cwhat shall we do?\u201d (v. 37), that he did not instruct them to pray a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d \u2014 nor do we see them doing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bible shows that baptism is that last step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27), after believing, repenting, and confessing faith in Christ. Baptism is, therefore, also shown to be the way in which we \u201ccall\u201d upon the Lord to be forgiven and become a Christian. Corresponding to that is what Peter declares in 1 Peter 3:21, when he says, \u201cBaptism\u2026now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience\u2026\u201d Webster shows that the word \u201cappeal\u201d means primarily \u201can earnest plea\u201d or \u201centreaty.\u201d And Peter is showing that baptism (when preceded by the other steps that lead to salvation) is how we are making that \u201cplea\u201d \u2013 or, in other words, \u201ccalling\u201d on the Lord in a non-verbal way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is actually what we also see in the case of Saul of Tarsus who was told by Ananias to \u201cGet up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name\u201d (Acts 22:16). So baptism was involved in Saul\u2019s calling on the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some folks, however, might think that Paul\u2019s \u201ccalling on His name\u201d was a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer.\u201d But let us back up a few days in Paul\u2019s life from his baptism. In Acts 9, 22, and 26, we have the accounts of Saul meeting the Lord on the road to Damascus. It was at that time that Saul came to believe in Jesus, but was not yet forgiven of his sins. Saul had asked, \u201cWhat shall I do, Lord?\u201d And Jesus said to him, \u201cGet up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do\u201d (Acts 22:10). Because of the great light that had blinded Saul, he was then led into Damascus by those who had been with him (v. 11). For three days in that city, Saul fasted \u2013 even going without drink (Acts 9:9). And during that time he was praying (v. 11). What do you think he was praying about? For this man who had always strove so diligently to do what he believed was right in his service to God, and then to learn how wrong he had been in persecuting Christians and consenting to their death \u2013 a major error that caused him to think of himself as the \u201cchief\u201d of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) \u2013 what would you imagine he was probably praying again and again? Would it not be something like, \u201cLord, I have sinned greatly. Please have mercy on my soul and forgive me of the sins I have ignorantly committed against you and your people\u201d? Surely, Saul would be wanting forgiveness and praying for it. Yet, he wasn\u2019t forgiven by praying a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer.\u201d For as we just saw in Acts 22:16, in order to be forgiven and wash away his sins, he had to also be baptized!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cornelius, too, was another whom the Bible speaks of that prayed before he had become a Christian; but it wasn\u2019t by a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d that he then became one \u2013 and even though he is referred to as having been a man who \u201cprayed to God continually\u201d (Acts 10:2). Yet, he still needed to hear the gospel message and respond to it in order to be saved (cf. Acts 11:13-14). The conversion to Christ of Cornelius and his household is the first instance of Gentiles becoming Christians who had not been proselytes to Judaism (cf. Acts 10, 11, 15:7) as Nicolas had been (Acts 6:5). So neither Jews nor Gentiles could become Christians by simply praying a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also interesting to note that even though Jesus had appeared to Saul, and an angel had appeared to Cornelius, that these men were not saved by having such a genuine, religious experience! Rather, they still had to hear the gospel plan of salvation and submit to it \u2013 just like any of us also need to. And what are those steps that lead to salvation? They are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). As we have seen in this article, no where does the Bible teach, for our Gospel Age, a \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d in order to be forgiven and become a Christian. Rather, we see those steps mentioned above that are required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We do, however, have instruction in God\u2019s word for the need of the Christian who sins to repent and pray for forgiveness, such as in the case of Simon (Acts 8:12-23). The Christian who falls away through sin does not need to be baptized again, but there is that need to repent and pray to be forgiven and then strive to maintain a right relationship with God (cf. 1 Jn. 1:6-7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n What the Bible teaches on the plan of salvation is not a popular doctrine \u2014 even among millions of religious people who would profess to be Christians. For how many denominations and individuals include baptism as part of the plan for being forgiven to become a child of God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the idea of going against the belief of the majority can make it difficult for some to actually accept what the Bible teaches on the plan of salvation. But if we truly love God and want to please Him, we will do what is right \u2014 and at whatever the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus says, \u201cEnter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction; and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it\u201d (Matt. 7:13-14).<\/p>\n\n\n\n (All Scripture from the NASB unless otherwise indicated.) Tebeau Street \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations\u2026teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 Contents: 1) The \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d (Tom Edwards)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- The \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d Tom Edwards A common misconception among many denominations, which is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=520"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":521,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/520\/revisions\/521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent<\/strong> of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith<\/strong> in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized<\/strong> in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith<\/strong>, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday<\/strong> services: 9:00 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Wednesday: <\/strong>7 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/strong>
http:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go<\/a> (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http:\/\/tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org\/<\/a>
http:\/\/ThomasTEdwards.com\/audioser.html<\/a> (audio sermons)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"