This is a discussion of the futility of the sinner's prayer in saving people.
Sinner’s Prayer: We believe prayer is an important part of the believer’s life (1 Thessalonians 5:17); that it is as natural as breath for a believer (Romans 8:15-16), and that the will of God is accomplished through prayer (James 4:1-3). However, we reject the teaching that salvation is gained by one’s “asking God to save” them or by their “asking Jesus into their hearts.” We furthermore reject the notion that any particular prayer works like a sort of incantation or that there is a particular group of right words to get one saved. We believe salvation is given to men and women because of their repentant faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ upon the cross without praying a prayer (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 5:13), and that saved people consequently profess this saving faith in Christ both to God (Luke 23:42; John 9:35-39; Romans 10:9-14) and to man (Matthew 10:32-33) through baptism (Acts 2:38) and verbal witness (1 Corinthian 12:3). Although praying eventually results from true belief in the person and work of Christ, and many that are converted will, of their own initiative, express this repentance and faith in prayer, we believe that faith in prayer is still a work of man and is therefore not effective to save one’s soul. Finally, we believe it is unbiblical for tracts, websites, or people to communicate that one can be assured of salvation if a prayer is voiced sincerely.
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“ Great Sermon! ” Amen. Great discussion thanks Pastors @ BBC. God bless :)
PATRICK B. (4/11/2012)
“ A HEARTY AMEN ! ” THANK YOU , PASTOR HARRIS ,
FOR BLESSING MY HEART WITH SUCH A MESSAGE AS THIS ! IN PRESENTING THE GOSPEL TO PEOPLE , FOR SOME REASON IT ALWAYS BOTHER ME ,WHEN I WOULD LEAD THEM IN A SO-CALLED SINNERS PRAYER ! FOR WE SAY THERE IS NOTHING THAT A SINNER CAN DO TO BE SAVED , AND YET WE TELL THEM TO ASK FOR SALVATION , INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT THE "BIBLE" SAYS DO - "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST !" THERE IS A SMALL BOOKLET WRITTEN BY A GREAT 19TH CENTURY BAPTIST PREACHER - J.R. GRAVES , ENTITLED : "CHRISTIAN BAPTISM - THE PROFESSION OF THE FAITH" WHICH HE STRESSED THAT THE NEW BELIEVER IS BAPTIZED INTO THE FAITH WHICH HE BELIEVE - THE DEATH , BURIAL & RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ! HIS BAPTISM IS HIS PROFESSION OF FAITH ! WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH AND NOT SAVING SOME MAGIC PRAYER! FINALLY SOMEONE HAS PUT ROMANS 10.13 , IN ITS PROPER LIGHT !
THANK YOU
BROTHER IN CHRIST ,
PATRICK
T.Y. (4/11/2012)
“ Finally A Pastor Says This! ” Thank you Pastor for saying this. I became burdened years ago when I would witness to kids and almost all of them would claim salvation. When I would ask them what the gospel was or what their salvation meant they would typically say they said a sinners prayer. I can count on one hand how many kids I have spoken to that actually knew the gospel message and most of these kids are "church kids."
Of course it doesn't stop at kids. Most everyone else that claims Christian discusses "accepting Jesus" or "Asking Jesus into their heart." None of this is in the Bible and my experience in witnessing to so many that claim a faith they could not articulate led me to developing a website on the issue. I have placed your wonderful message on there and thank you again for having the boldness to speak out about this sacred cow in our faith.
Travis - www.donotask.org
joshua barnett (3/26/2012)
“ Great Sermon! ” Great commentary! I was able to incorporate this idea into my 2nd grade Sunday school, it amazes me what their little minds can comprehend.
Kat (3/25/2012)
from Texas
“ Great Sermon! ” Great Sermon! Very informative, very intelligent use of the scripture. No twisting of scripture, an honest and truthful study of something that I have wondered about for years-the sinners prayer. The sad thing about this is, is that Americans have gotten to a point where we are just like "say the prayer, and boom your done." Theres no growth, no life changes just like "I'm saved,I said the prayer." So there is this false sense of salvation because of an idea that is ingrained in society. Anyway, good job.
Mike (3/23/2012)
“ Great Sermon! ” Well done servants of our LORD!!!
Stan (3/22/2012)
from Newark,OH
“ Great Sermon! ” This is a great discussion!
Thank you
Pastor Sean Harris has been the Senior Pastor for Berean Baptist Church and Academy in Fayetteville, NC since 2006. He served as a member, lay teacher and deacon at Berean from 1987 until he became the Senior Pastor. As the Senior Pastor, he oversees Berean’s ministry to over...
#2 - Top Played Sermon (48-Hours) on 6/7/2012
