The Sinner’s Prayer Examined

    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.

    Many teach the sinner’s prayer because it fits their idea of a bible faith. It fits in perfectly with their gospel message. The bible teaches us not to accept any gospel that is not found in the scriptures. The apostle Paul said "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."(Gal 1:8-9 KJV).

    Many teach the sinner’s prayer because they want a simple gospel of their liking. There are no short cuts to heaven. Mankind cannot set the terms of salvation. The offender cannot set the terms of his pardon. Mankind needs to obey the terms of pardon-the Gospel given by God.

    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.

    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 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.