SBC Resolution says the Sinner's Prayer is not an "incantation"

[Anna Scott]

A Resolution regarding the Sinner's Prayer just passed in the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this month:

Click: AN AFFIRMATION OF A “SINNER’S PRAYER” AS A BIBLICAL EXPRESSION OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

". . . .and be it further

RESOLVED, That a “sinner’s prayer” is not an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation and should never be manipulatively employed or utilized apart from a clear articulation of the Gospel (Matthew 6:7; 15:7–9); and be it further

RESOLVED, That we promote any and all biblical means of urging sinners to call on the name of the Lord in a prayer of repentance and faith; and be it finally. . . ."
____________________________

Eric Hankins, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oxford, Mississippi, who presented the Resolution, said that it was sparked by a talk with David Platt, Pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama.

David Platt argued at the Verge 2012 Conference March 1:

Link: http://www.vergenetwork.org/2012/04...us-in-your-heart-is-superstitious-unbiblical/Platt: Why “Accepting Jesus In Your Heart” Is Superstitious & Unbiblical

"I'm convinced that many people in our churches are simply missing the life of Christ, and a lot of it has to do with what we've sold them as the gospel, i.e. pray this prayer, accept Jesus into your heart, invite Christ into your life," Platt said. "Should it not concern us that there is no such superstitious prayer in the New Testament? Should it not concern us that the Bible never uses the phrase, 'accept Jesus into your heart' or 'invite Christ into your life'? It's not the gospel we see being preached, it's modern evangelism built on sinking sand. And it runs the risk of disillusioning millions of souls."

Link: Southern Baptists Debate the Sinner's Prayer, Ted Olsen (posted 6/20/2012 2:50PM)

Link: Spiritual Deception, Biblical Conversion, and Global Mission John 2:23-3:16, SBC Pastors' Conference, Dr. David Platt, June 18, 2012

Daniel Akin's defense of Platt: Link: http://betweenthetimes.com/index.php/2012/06/28/the-sinners-prayer-david-platt-and-the-sbc/The Sinner’s Prayer, David Platt and the SBC, June 28, 2012 by Daniel Akin

What are your thoughts on the SBC's Resolution and the Sinner's Prayer?

Peace and blessings,
Anna

http://www.radical.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/SBC-Sermon-Manuscript-David-Platt1.pdf

 

[DCJazz]

I knew the prayer itself didn't do anything but meh. But I agree that there needs to be sounder teaching than what is currently present.

 

[Anna Scott]

I knew the prayer itself didn't do anything but meh. But I agree that there needs to be sounder teaching than what is currently present.

DCJazz,
I appreciate your comments. I hope other Baptists will weigh in on the subject.

Peace and blessings,
Anna

 

[Texan40]

In my church the prayer is available if you didn't have words/thoughts of your own but they do not push people to recite it verbatim. I see it much as I see the Lord's Prayer. It is not "magical" in and of itself but a guideline for how and what we should pray. IMO superstition and ritual spiritualism has no place in a church devoted to Christ.

 

[americanvet]

I would like to know what happened to cause this. Seems like some part of the Convention did not understand or was not teaching what the prayer was for and it confused someone.

 

[greatdivide46]

Personally I believe the so-called sinner's prayer is completely unbiblical and should never be used. At least not if we want to follow the examples of salvation recorded in the New Testament.

 

[Anna Scott]

I appreciate all the comments so far. Thanks everyone.
Anna

 

[Skala]

If you are evangelizing, and you have to tell someone what words to say as they are crying out to God for salvation, it makes you wonder if the Holy Spirit is working at all?

It seems you don't have to tell someone what to say, if they are truly convicted of sin, realizing they are guilty, and need mercy.

 

[IisJustMe]

I don't think the proclamation has anything to do with whether the sinner's prayer is biblical or not. I think it has to do with people thinking that walking an aisle and saying a prayer is salvation. It is not, never was, and the Bible doesn't teach it as such.

However, the Bible does teach confession of Christ as Savior and Lord, when coming sincerely from the heart as faith it is true, is the reality of man's small part in salvation. There is no specific "sinner's prayer" but it is clear to me that such confession and faith, whether publicly declared or done in the privacy of a prayer closet, meets the requirement for biblical salvation.