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)