Category: Salvation
370 words|1.9 min read|Views: 4192|
Themes: authority | baptism | calling on the Lord | definitions | false teaching | prayer | salvation | sin | sinners prayer
The sinner’s prayer is something frequently referred to by preachers today. Joel Osteen asks those who are not saved to pray with him at the close of every sermon. The prayer is asking Jesus to “come into their lives.” He might also ask them to raise their hand in the air (for dramatic effect?).
He’s certainly not alone in this and we don’t mean to necessarily single him out. The idea of a “sinner’s prayer” or a “salvation prayer” is widespread. Wikipedia documents several examples including from Billy Graham. “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.”
How Scripture answers "How is the sinner’s prayer used in scripture?"
Not a single passage describes a “sinner’s prayer” or any prayer related to or connected with one’s being saved or converted. The only passage most used to justify such a prayer1 actually qualifies “calling on the Lord” not as any sort of prayer. Rather, Paul1 ties it to belief (heart) and confession (mouth). Further, we see the phrase used again by Paul2 to describe the ongoing worship that the saved engage in as a local church. Indeed, we can go to other passages to see a more complete definition, including Paul’s own conversion. There is no such thing as a “sinner’s prayer” in Scripture! And take heed, Jesus warns that there will be those who think they are justified in “calling on the name of the Lord”, but they will be condemned3.
If you were “saved” by praying a prayer, please reconsider what God says — not what Joel Osteen or Billy Graham say — about how one comes into a relationship with Him. He knows better than any preacher or so-called “Pastor”. Read for yourself in His Word (we suggest the book of Acts). Or, consider what we’ve assembled from His word about salvation with their supporting scripture-blocks.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
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