Biblical Evidence or Verses for the Sinner's Prayer.

Biblical Evidence or Verses for the Sinner's Prayer.

Introduction:

A. "Believing on the Lord" vs. the "Sinner's Prayer."
A person can be initially saved (born again spiritually) just by believing that Jesus Christ is their Savior without doing some kind of sinner's prayer. John 1:12-13 tells us this fact. But I believe that in time that if a believer has the capacity or capability to read more of the Word (and be held accountable to it), they will come to realize that calling upon the name of the Lord and admitting their sinful condition before Him in their need for a Savior is also another reality or truth in their continued walk with God that they will come to eventually accept, as well. For if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). I believe that this point of discussion is sort of like the topic of the Trinity. I do not believe one needs to know about the Trinity to be saved initially. But in time, when one learns of the truth of the Trinity in the Bible, they cannot reject such a truth. For Jesus said in John 4:24 that we must worship him in spirit and in truth. That is how I feel about "believing on Jesus" in being born again vs. "the Sinner's Prayer" so as to be forgiven of sin. I believe it is a truth that one will come to know and accept (If they have the capacity to do so). Then why the difference? Because not everyone has the capacity. A man in a remote tribe of some jungle somewhere may not fully grasp the concept of forgiveness in his culture and or his language may be really barbaric and very basic. But he may be able to recognize the need for a Savior from being a slave to his sinful condition.

B. "3 Stages of Soteriology."
I believe the Scriptures teach that there are three stages in Soteriology (i.e. the Study of Salvation). There is Justification (Initial salvation), Sanctification (Continued salvation), and Glorification (Final salvation). Each stage of Soteriology is the progression of person's life who lives out their faith.

C. "Two Wrong Extremes."
Imagine if you will a balance beam scale (usually carried by our lady justice). The first wrong extreme (or scale that is down) are those folks who believe that once you have genuinely have partaken of the sinner's prayer and believe in Jesus, you cannot ever lose your salvation by sinning. That you can just believe in Jesus and not worry about sin ever again. But this is wrong. Nowhere does the Scriptures teach that Matthew 5:28-30, Matthew 6:15, 1 John 3:15, Galatians 5:19-21 have been abrogated or abolished later on. The other wrong extreme (or scale that is down) is that there are those who actually deny the sinner's prayer is a way a person can have salvation right here and right now. Granted, this does not mean I am neglecting to believe in Sanctification which is the process of God working in your life the good work of overcoming your sin and doing good deeds according to the Commands in the New Testament. The proper balance in our scale is understanding that the "Sinner's Prayer" is a Biblical truth in the Scriptures but it is not a one time "seal the deal" event for a Christian for all time. A believer has to continue to choose daily this day in whom they will serve. We still have free will to be good or evil and be held accountable for such actions. For God is not a respecter of persons and God is Holy and righteous and good. But to deny the "Sinner's Prayer" is also just as equally wrong. For one, it is a teaching in the Bible. Two, does not even life teach you that if a man cheats on his wife and he wants to make things right with her that an apology is in order? Why should it be any different with God? Is not all sin ultimately done towards God? Should we not apologize to the Lord?

D. "The false saying of: "the Sinner's Prayer is not specifically shown so it is not true" argument."
Actually, the clues in Scripture for the Sinner's Prayer are all too clear to see (If one is open to seeing it or if one is actually striving to be a good Berean who is after the truth). One cannot see it if one is not interpreting the Word by the Spirit and or if one's mind is closed. For there are many things in the Bible that are not specifically mentioned in specific detail and yet we know that they are true. For example: We know the Bible is made up of 66 books is true. We know that the Trinity is true. We know that the people in the Bible went to bathroom is true. So the argument that something is not true if it is not specifically mentioned in language that we would understand it plainly today by hitting us over the head with such a truth does not prove one to be right. There are plenty of clues that make it obvious that the Sinner's Prayer is a simple fact of Scripture. For how can you be forgiven if you are not really seeking any kind of forgiveness?

But again, please know that the "Sinner's Prayer" leads men to turn from sin and to God and His righteousness. If not, then one is merely drawing back on that Promise they initially made in their prayer towards God or they never really meant to turn away from their evil in the first place.

Anyways, here is the....


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Biblical Evidence or Verses for the "Sinner's Prayer."

#1. "Whosever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved."
Whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13; also cross reference this with Acts 2:21).

Here in the book of Romans we have it as plain as day. Whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. In Romans 10, Paul talks about his desire for Israel to be saved. He talks about how they seek to establish their own righteousness. Yet, Paul offers a solution for them by telling that Christ is the end of the Law of righteousness (i.e. the Law of Moses of the Old Covenant) to everyone who believes. Paul continues to say (I directly quote),


This is a belief in Christ and a prayer to Him and equates it with salvation. For whowever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Paul says there there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek in regards to this. So Paul is talking about initial salvation or in accepting of Christ. I mean think. Obviously this prayer in verse 13 would not be to win the magic numbers on a lottery ticket. This pertains to the salvation of one's soul (Whether it be Jew or Greek). One is calling out to God in prayer for salvation here.

#2. "A man & woman are quickly forgiven."
A man and a woman were forgiven of their sins by Jesus. Now why would Jesus forgive them of their sin if they had no desire for their sin to be forgiven in the first place? The woman did not go out and do a bunch of things in order for Jesus to say this to her. Nor did the man. The woman was in fact extremely grateful because her sins were great. So she was kissing Jesus' feet. This would not make any sense if she just simply believed and turned from her sins without recognizing that she needed her sins to be forgiven by God first.

#3. "Godly sorrow leads to repentance unto salvation."
2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow leads to repentance unto salvation.

Here is what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7 in verses 8-9:


Here we see clearly that "distress" is the point of discussion. They were upset or sorrowed and distressed to a point of turning things around.

And here is verse 10,


And here is verse 10 in another translation,


Did you catch what it said? Both of these translations are says Godly sorrow or distress leads a person's heart to be changed and in the way they think and act. The point is that they have sorrow or that they are grieved in some way in a Godly way. To just change one's actions and not feel sorry in any way towards God over what they did is to ignore any kind of sorrow or Godly sorrow over one's wrongful actions.

Read verse 9 again above. The result of this Godly sorrow leads us to God. This is where repentance happens. It is an emotional break between you and God. It is were you surrender and are changed both in your mind and heart (Which then leads to proper Godly actions or fruits worthy of repentance).

Having a Godly sorrow leads to the right emotional break to the correct course of action. Worldly sorrow leads to death. Peter had the right Godly sorrow over his wrong action in denying the Lord that led to being grieved before God, which then led to right actions. Judas was grieved in what He did towards the Lord, but he was not grieved in such a way to make any corrective action but he was sorrowed in such a way to commit suicide. Judas's sorrow was a wordly sorrow. Peter's sorrow was a Godly sorrow.

#4. "Salvation is a Person and a Relationship."
Salvation is not an ignoring of God's laws and nor is salvation is not in what you do alone. Salvation is a Person and a walk or relationship (1 John 5:12) (Amos 3:3). Adam or Man broke fellowship with God by his sin. This relationship needed to be restored. The way to restore this broken fellowship is in receiving Christ into your heart (Which would of course be by way of prayer or invitation by you).





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#5. "Understanding the core meaning of the word "repent" by it's different usages."
Scripture says God is not a man that he should repent. Yet we see God repent in Genesis 6. This lets us know that there are two meanings for the word "repent." But the foundation of the word "repent" is still the same. The core basic meaning for the word "repent" means to be grieved or sorrowed. But as for regret: Well, God cannot regret anything. If He did, then that would mean God makes mistakes (Which is just not possible). God has no regrets in what He does (as if He made a mistake and wished He could go back and correct it). But God can be grieved or sorrowed by his creation. This is where the other word "repent" comes into play with the other passage that says, God is not a man that he should "repent" (Numbers 23:19) or to change his mind about what He did as if it was a mistake. God cannot have any regrets. When it comes to the creation and His good plan that He has set into motion, there is no regrets with God. God cannot make mistakes. So there is no changing His mind about what He knows what is going to happen as a part of His good plan. God is in control and perfectly knows what is going to happen. But God can be grieved or sorrowed (or be repentant - in the sorrowed sense only) over the wickedness of man (of the old world) that led to Him to erase their sinful ways for good with a global flood. See, actions are made based on one's mindset or emotions. What is motivating you to change? Does a person have a better chance at losing a whole bunch of weight if he has a crush on a girl in school? Does not a father have more of a chance at lifting a heavy object off his son out of love for him and a fear in losing him? Does not emotion effect the way we truly behave and act? Or are we supposed to turn off our emotions and act like a bunch of mindless robots or vulcans? Now, some may point out the gift and calling of God is without repentance (Romans 11:29). This is true. It is saying that God calls us and provides the gift. But it is not saying repentance is not necessary. In you were to keep reading, you would run into Romans 15:9 that says that the Gentiles give glory to God because of his mercy. We are to seek God's mercy or forgiveness (Which then makes us grateful to give glory to Him). That is where it starts for most of us to receive His tender grace and salvation.

#6. "3000 souls were added that day."
In Acts chapter two: 3000 souls were added that day. This cannot be a turning from sin over a significant period of time. For they were all saved that very day. So repentance in this example is used to tell us that they had repented of their sin by way of prayer and not by some kind of action they have partaken of over a significant period of time in trying to prove themselves to God so as to be saved. At Pentecost they received the remission of sins that very day. In other words, they were saved that day. They did not have to work up to doing a bunch of works to be saved. They were saved as soon as they believed and were baptized. For that day they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. One cannot be unsaved and have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Again, three thousand souls were added that very day. Added in what way? To God's Kingdom, of course. Here is the passage that you can check out for yourself.


#7. "In Acts 8, the word "repent" is used as in reference to prayer."
In Acts chapter 8: The word "repent" is in reference to praying for forgiveness. Simon the Sorcerer had tried to pay for the Spirit and Peter told him to repent that he may be forgiven (and even mentions the word "prayer"). Now, this does not make any sense if one is turning to God from Satan. For how does one even do that over committing a transgression? Here is what it says in Acts chapter 8:

Did you catch that? The concern here is prayer. Peter is telling Simon to pray to God because his heart is not right in the sight of the Lord in what he had done. For Simon cannot undo this sin by having a change of mind about this. He simply needs to seek forgiveness for what he had done for his sin by way of prayer. Granted, some will argue that this does not apply because this is in reference to a believer. I disagree. If one sins, they break fellowship with God. Peter said his heart was not right with God. This means Simon the Sorcerer was not right with God and not saved. So Simon needed forgiveness so as to have salvation. The solution was a prayer of repentance. So why would "repentance" be any different for a new time believer?

#8. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."
1 John 1:9 is tied to the following passages in how Jesus is the propitation not only for our sins but for the sins of the entire world. This means that the "world" can confess or repent of their sins by way of prayer to God, too. Proverbs 28:13 says he that confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy. Notice how confession is mentioned first as a part of Proverbs 28:13.

#9. "God have mercy on me, a sinner."
In Parable of Tax Collector and the Pharisee: The Tax Collector cries out to God to have mercy on him in being a sinner. Jesus said this "Tax Collector" was more justified than the Pharisee. He said he was more humble. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Grace to the humble. This is salvation. See how the Word of God works? Some folks will just say that this parable was just a lesson in humility. Not true at all. James 4:6 refutes such thinking. Grace (salvation) is given to the humble. But some may still argue that this is speaking to the believer only, though. But how can this be? The man was simply crying out to God to have mercy in him being a sinner. No mention of whether or not this Tax Collector was a long time seasoned believer or not.

#10. "Fruits worthy of repentance."
John the Baptist tell us that we are told to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). This means repentance cannot be fruit bearing because it distinguishes between "fruit" and "repentance. Also in Matthew 3:6, it says that those who were being baptized were also confessing their sins, too. Acts 26:20 also talks about performing deeds befitting of repentance. Again, (deeds/fruits) is an aspect or result of true repentance. Jesus said that the Ninevites will rise up in Judgment against this generation because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. We learned that they covered themselves in sackcloth and ashes and they fasted. This was an expressing of Godly sorrow over their sin. For fasting is usually tied to prayer in Scripture. This then led to the fruit of their repentance in turning from their evil and wicked ways of which we see in Jonah chapter 3. This is what true repentance is. Repentance is seeking forgiveness with God whereby it leads to a changed life (i.e. the fruit of repentance). In other words, "repentance" cannot exclusively mean for one to turn to God in conduct if the fruits of repentance is a change of conduct, too.

#11. "Father, I sinned against you and against heaven."
In parable of Prodigal Son: The Prodigal Son says he will admits his sin to the Father and towards heaven. This is obviously a parallel of a prayer for forgiveness towards God. In fact, when the son returned, the father said two times that his son was dead and now he is alive again. In other words, his son was dead spiritually, and now he was alive again spiritually. Therefore, seeing that such is the case: This parable can work one of two ways. One way is when we first were an innocent baby or young child, we were under God's grace and inheritance. But when we sinned and went prodigal away from God the Father in our life (like most all people do), we needed to be "born again" in Christ and start again (returning to the Father) by admitting his guilt before him. The second way is that we accepted Christ and then later fell into sin again and need to be renewed back to the faith again (Also see James 5:19-20).

#12. "Lot, Samson, Solomon, and the Thief on the Cross."
Many have the false idea that repentance is strictly turning to God and away from sin alone (without any kind of prayer for forgiveness). While I believe that turning to God and away from sin is a necessary thing to do as a part of one's salvation. Turning from sin and to God is the fruits of repentance and it is not repentance alone for a new time believer. For if repentance was merely a change in one's living to save us then how was Lot, Samson, Solomon, and the thief on the cross saved? This lets us know that even men who did not always live perfectly holy lives can enter the Kingdom of God. Granted, this does not mean we can be cavalier about our faith and live as we please? No, no. By no means no. I am strongly against those who believe in OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved) or those who think they can sin and still be saved. There is no excuse for not even committing one horrible sin that leads to spiritual death (Which is evident by Adam and Eve's one time transgression that separated God and man). What I am getting at is that I believe that there are cases where not everyone gets to live out their faith and or there are cases where a person may struggle with sin most of their lives and make it into Heaven by the skin of their teeth. This by no means should give us believers an excuse to live however we like. But being aware of these cases lets us know that God's grace and mercy is ever extending to all people in different situations and walks of life. It lets us know that God's grace is there for people who do honestly struggle with sin in their desire to wanting to walk holy and good before the Lord (See the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee). For God knows a person's heart and situation. So every case is different. But for the majority out there in the church today: Well, lets just say it angers me to think of the sin of those who think they can do evil and still saved (or that they can abide in unrepentant sin and still make it into God's Kingdom). Granted, I am not angered at them. But at their sin. For God commands me to love even my enemies. But yet, to be angry and sin not so as not to give place to the devil.

Anyways, while these men's lives may not prove repentance is a prayer per say directly, what they do show is that it leans in favor of such an idea because they did not fit the wrong definition of repentance that says it is exclusively an act of turning to God and away from sin alone over a significant period of time.


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So in Conclusion:

We can see that the Sinner's Prayer is indeed taught within Scripture. It is one way many people come to receive Christ (Who is the source of a person's salvation).

In any event, I hope that what I had written here has helped you.

May God bless you.
And please be well.



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JLB777 said:

Your thread discusses a broad range of circumstances.

Mostly it is your opinion, based on man's reasoning.


The discussion that I brought to your attention is this specific phrase from the bible:

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.

I discussed with you privately what that phrase means and what it doesn't mean.


This is the Gospel that was preached by Jesus Christ.

Repent is the command of the Gospel.

Not repent of your sins.

Repent means to turn to God.

If you are called to turn to God, then by default you are called to turn from Satan as your lord.

The way that your express this obedience of faith, concerning the Gospel is to confess Jesus as Lord.

This is what grants the believer/obeyer of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins.


Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38


Peter did not say "repent of your sins".

A person can not "stop sinning" without the born again new Nature empowered by the Holy Spirit.


The way we are granted this, is by repenting, which means turning away from Satan and his kingdom, and turning to God, and confessing Jesus as Lord.

This is plainly what the Lord Jesus Christ taught to and commissioned Paul to do.

15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Acts 26:15-18

...in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins

...that they may receive forgiveness of sins

Not Repent of your sins, but to turn from Satan's kingdom, to the Lord Jesus Christ.


Repent is about being transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God.

It's about changing who you serve, as your Lord.


JLB

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First, nobody actually naturally thinks of turning to God and away from Satan in regards to repentance because nobody actually thinks they served Satan (unless they were a Satanist or something). So your view does not actually make any sense in a real world practical kind of way. Second, Acts 2 says 3000 souls were added that day. They received the gift of the Holy Ghost. So repentance mentioned in Acts 2 can only mean something that relates to their immediate salvation and not any kind of actions taken over a long period of time (Unless of course you are implying that the "turning" is an event that can happen in a day). As for Acts 26: Your idea is refuted easily if you were to keep reading. For in verse 20 it says that we are to perform works befitting of repentance. Now, if repentance was works in turning to God, then it would not make any sense to say to perform works befitting of repentance, too. For is not turning to God doing good works? If so, then how do you explain Acts 26:20? Third, I brought this discussion out in the open and away from private discussion because the truth should not be hid. I also brought this discussion out in the open because you were ignoring the points that I made with Scripture (and I was hoping you might listen to someone else).

But how do you define "turning" or "being transferred to light out of darkness"? Is there any Godly sorrow in such a thing? Is it just a mental acknowledgment that you are turning away from Satan and towards God? Does it involve certain types of actions to prove that one is turning? Please define what you mean by "turning." Is it a lengthy process? If so, are you saying you were not saved the first day you heard about the Lord and His salvation? Are you saying that you needed to first turn (by a set of actions over a period of time) in order to be saved? If so, then how was the thief on the cross saved that very day? If so, then how were those at Pentecost in Acts 2 saved that very day?

What do you make of the passage that says, "Whosever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved"?

As for Peter not saying "repent of your sins." I have already been over this one with you before. Peter told Simon the Sorcerer to repent of his wickedness and pray to God.

Simon's wickedness was the sin of trying to pay for the Spirit.

This is what Peter said,

"Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." (Acts 8:22).

You said this does not apply because Peter is talking to a believer. I beg to differ. Sin separates a person from God regardless of who they are. For God is not a respecter of persons. This is confirmed by the fact that Peter said to Simon that his heart was not right with God.

Side Note:

Did you bother to look at my points in Scripture? Or did you just skip past them and repeat what you had been repeating before in our private discussion?



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EmSw said:

Then why did Jesus tell the churches in Revelation to repent? Were they not already transferred to the kingdom of God?

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I agree. In Revelation 2:5 a church was told to repent and do the first works. Now, a question our friend may not like is: if repent means to turn to God in the sense of doing good works, then how does it make sense to say the same thing twice in the same sentence? In other words, the word "repent" and the words "do the first works" are two different things. Granted, I believe the word "repent" involves turning from sin. But that is the fruits of repentance. So I believe that while repentance does involve turning from sin, I believe repentance is primarily a prayer of forgiveness towards God about sin and how one will never do it again. It is an emotional break between God and man that leads the man to right corrective action.

For Godly sorrow leads to repentance unto salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). This is a seeking of forgiveness with God and not a change of direction alone. For a man can stop cheating on his wife, but if he does not express any remorse towards her in what he did, then he is not really truly sorry in what he did. So he could just do it again. Unless of course he realized that what he did was wrong and he was willing to seek to be forgiven by her and make things right.


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JLB777 said:

That's why it's called deception.

That's why Jesus commissioned Paul to "open their eyes"...

17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

...that they may receive forgiveness of sins. Repenting is how we receive the forgiveness of sins.

It's not about "what anyone thinks", it's about the words of Jesus Christ: The TRUTH.


Thanks for revealing the human reasoning in your "theology".



JLB

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God does not want us to shut off our brains when we read God's Word. Our God is logical and orderly and He gives us real world examples such as parables so as to illustrate spiritual truth. For example: The Canaanite woman was able to exbound on what Jesus said by way of a parable or real example about how even the dogs can eat the crumbs from the Master's table. I am sorry, my friend. But your view of repentance cannot be made into a real world example like that (Not to mention I see no hint of it in Scripture, either).


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JLB777 said:

The Gospel is Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.

Not, Repent of your sins.

We can not repent of our sins, when we are bound in the kingdom of darkness, by Satan.

We are called to repent, turn to God... which by default means Jesus is not your Lord.


If Jesus is not your Lord, then who is?


Please answer this question?

If Jesus is not your Lord, then who is?


JLB

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Jesus is my Lord!
Jesus is Lord!
Jesus is the Lord God Almighty!

You are insulting me by implying that Jesus is not my Lord with your repeated question. I am highly offended by your asking such a question which is clearly a personal attack that has nothing to do with the topic of discussion at hand. Again, nowhere did I ever deny that a believer is not to turn to God and away from sin. I have already said this to you numerous times and you keep acting like I never say it. I believe that our actions in turning to God is the fruits worthy of repentance or the deeds performed in befitting of repentance. For how do you explain that? How do you explain John the Baptist's statement in bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance? Oh, and what is the Kingdom of God? It is not some place that we can say it is here or there. The Kingdom of God is within you. Jesus Christ is the Kingdom of God because He is the head of the body and lives in the hearts of his people.

Also, again, Peter tells Simon the Sorcerer to repent of his wickedness. This wickedness was the sin of trying to pay for the Holy Spirit. So Peter was telling Simon to repent of sin. Peter said his heart was not right with God. This means, Simon was in an unsaved state and needed to be saved. Repenting of his sin by way of prayer is what Peter was telling Simon to do so as to be forgiven.


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Here is a more direct list of verses that defends the Sinner's Prayer.

#1. Whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13) (Acts 2:21).

#2. John told people to repent. Those in whom John baptized had confessed of their sins (Matthew 3:6). John then said to for them to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). This lines up with Acts that says we are to perform deeds befitting of repentance (Acts 26:20).

#3. If we confess sin, he will forgive us of sin; And he is the propitation of our sins, but the sins of the world (1 John 1:9) (1 John 2:1-2).

#4. He that confess and forsake sin shall receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

#5. In Acts 8, Peter tells Simon to repent of his wickedness (his sin) and to pray to God because his heart is not right with God (Acts 8:17-24). In addition, Peter and John prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:14-15).

#6. The Tax Collector cries out to God to have mercy on him in being a sinner (Whereby Jesus labeled him as being more justified) (Luke 18:9-14).

#7. The Prodigal Son said he was going to go to his father and say, "I have sinned against you and against heaven." This is clearly talking about a prayer of forgiveness to God because he said he sinned against heaven (Luke 11:15-32).

Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving to you all today.
And may God bless you.


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JLB777 said:

Jason, I know your stance in this matter, as you have rightly stated Jesus is the Lord God.


The question was not "to you", but "for you" to answer on behalf of an unsaved person.

This question was asked in light of this statement -



It doesn't matter what the deceived unsaved person "naturally thinks", as they serve Satan if Jesus is not their Lord.


That is the vein I asked you this question....

If Jesus is not your Lord.... In other words, if you are called to Repent, [turn to God] then by default Satan is your Lord.


If you are not in the kingdom of God, then by default you are in the domain or kingdom of darkness.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

The forgiveness of sins is a direct result of Repenting.
[“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;Acts 2:38]

That's the point I was making by my question.

Not directed at you, but for you to consider... hoping that you would see my point.




JLB

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One, you either are backpeddling in what you said and you are now lying (Which is a sin) or you honestly did not communicate well the fact that you were not asking me such a question directly. For I had received no indication in your previous post that you were talking in the third person. It sounded like you asking the question directly of me. Please show me in your post how this was not so?

Two, when you read about the forgiveness of sins in Colossians, you also have to understand that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). For he that confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). So refusing to confess sin is the equivalent to unforgiveness. John said this forgiveness was not only for us, but for the entire world because he said that Jesus is not only the propitation for our sins but for the sins of the entire world (in relation to Jesus being our advocate or heavenly high priest in whom we confess to) (See 1 John 2:1-2).


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JLB777 said:

No such thing as the sinners prayer in the bible.

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I have explained the verses you have put forth. It is time for you to do the same. In other words, explain the list of the recent seven points in Scripture for the Sinner's Prayer that I provided.

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JLB777 said:

I clarified clearly for you, the question, because you seem to be defensive.

If Jesus is not your Lord, then who is.


Answer: Satan.


There is no other answer.


JLB

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Well, you did not exactly apologize that you're post could be easily taken the wrong way. This is what concerns me.

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JLB777 said:

What's the name of the Lord?

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13

“whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” is a direct quote from Joel 2, and hard-links YHWH as Jesus Christ.


It is in this confession of Jesus as Lord, which is the act of faith, that a person has turned away from Satan as lord, by confessing Jesus as Lord, YHWH the Lord God.


...with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Remember the point I'm making:


The Command of the Gospel to obey is: Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.


Not "repent of your sins".


This is not about some "sinners prayer", as you desperately seek to distract from the point, the only point I have made.


Now please just post all the places in the bible, whereby Jesus or the apostles used the phrase "Repent of your sins" in the preaching of the Gospel.

Someone who is bound in bondage and is a prisoner in the domain of darkness can not repent of their sins, as they don't have the capacity to do so, for they have been taken captive by Satan, to do his will.


They way a person receives the forgiveness of sins is by Repenting, which is to turn to God, by turning away from Satan.

This is done by the act of faith called, confessing Jesus as your Lord, which by default is turning away from Satan as your Lord, so that you will receive the forgiveness of your sins.


The is exactly what the Apostle Paul was commissioned to do by the Lord Jesus.


17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:17-18


...to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

...that they may receive forgiveness of sins.

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; Acts 2:38


Now please post the scriptures, where Jesus or the Apostles used the phrase "Repent of your sins" when preaching the Gospel.


If you can not, then you will by default have conceded the point, in which I hope you will cease from using the unbiblical phrase, "repent of your sins", when showing how we are forgiven our sins.


Later, after a person has been forgiven their sins, and transferred into the kingdom of God, and been given the Holy Spirit, now they are equipped for the process of transformation, which involves repenting of specific sins, or iniquities.

In relationship to initial salvation and the forgiveness of sins, and being transferred into the Kingdom of God from the dominion of darkness, the Gospel is: Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.


Not, repent of your sins!



JLB

Click to expand...

Seeing that Acts 2 tells us to repent and then be baptized. Logic dictates that the process of "repentance" before baptism is not a lengthy process as you are suggesting by saying that we are to turn physically away from sin first. Granted, a believer will turn away from sin. However, such a thing are the fruits of repentance.

For how do you define fruits worthy of repentance?



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JLB777 said:

What's the name of the Lord?

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13

“whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” is a direct quote from Joel 2, and hard-links YHWH as Jesus Christ.


It is in this confession of Jesus as Lord, which is the act of faith, that a person has turned away from Satan as lord, by confessing Jesus as Lord, YHWH the Lord God.


...with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Remember the point I'm making:


The Command of the Gospel to obey is: Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.


Not "repent of your sins".


This is not about some "sinners prayer", as you desperately seek to distract from the point, the only point I have made.


Now please just post all the places in the bible, whereby Jesus or the apostles used the phrase "Repent of your sins" in the preaching of the Gospel.

Someone who is bound in bondage and is a prisoner in the domain of darkness can not repent of their sins, as they don't have the capacity to do so, for they have been taken captive by Satan, to do his will.


They way a person receives the forgiveness of sins is by Repenting, which is to turn to God, by turning away from Satan.

This is done by the act of faith called, confessing Jesus as your Lord, which by default is turning away from Satan as your Lord, so that you will receive the forgiveness of your sins.


The is exactly what the Apostle Paul was commissioned to do by the Lord Jesus.


17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:17-18


...to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

...that they may receive forgiveness of sins.

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; Acts 2:38


Now please post the scriptures, where Jesus or the Apostles used the phrase "Repent of your sins" when preaching the Gospel.


If you can not, then you will by default have conceded the point, in which I hope you will cease from using the unbiblical phrase, "repent of your sins", when showing how we are forgiven our sins.


Later, after a person has been forgiven their sins, and transferred into the kingdom of God, and been given the Holy Spirit, now they are equipped for the process of transformation, which involves repenting of specific sins, or iniquities.

In relationship to initial salvation and the forgiveness of sins, and being transferred into the Kingdom of God from the dominion of darkness, the Gospel is: Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.


Not, repent of your sins!



JLB

Click to expand...

So if I told you to: "call me", you would understand that to mean something else? No. Call upon the Lord means exactly what it is saying. "Call upon the Lord" (which would obviously include prayer in doind so). You don't like what it says here, so are attempting to prescribe some other meaning to the words "Call upon the Lord."


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