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Then you should convert.I know the history of Christ's church and I know what is taught by Christ and his apostles relating to salvation. The question was straight forward.
the sinner's prayer is a type of creed spoken to affirm that belief is orthodox (and if it isn't you say the words so it now is). It is beneficial with discipleship as the repentant unpacks and begins to understand what they actually said over the coming weeks/months/years which is where the real process of salvation is unfolded. Often it is viewed as a summit of our faith but it only is the beginning.Is The Sinner’s Prayer Biblical?
I will give my answer below (with Scripture).
If sin has been forsaken then the sinner has changed. The sackcloth and ashes are symbolism of the change but the actual change is in the heart and mind of the sinner. Rejection of the self serving ways of man for the selfless will of God.
the sinner's prayer is a type of creed spoken to affirm that belief is orthodox (and if it isn't you say the words so it now is). It is beneficial with discipleship as the repentant unpacks and begins to understand what they actually said over the coming weeks/months/years which is where the real process of salvation is unfolded. Often it is viewed as a summit of our faith but it only is the beginning.
I see salvation as a process not a single moment where the sinner's prayer seems to value salvation as a moment.
You said:I've heard people say "next Sunday I'm going to give my heart to the Lord" then the next Sunday they get a pastor/elder to lead them through the sinner's prayer. ... Read the gospels and find where Jesus tells us to pray to him... he doesn't. He prayer to the Father and says we can do so in the authority of his name (which is why we conclude "in the name of Jesus, Amen") Christ is a mediator between us and the Father and allows us a restored relationship with God but direct prayer to him is actually no the model of prayer presented in by Christ himself; its "ask anything [to the Father] in my name and it will be given". When we say a prayer like this we are ignorant of the roles of the Father and Holy Spirit and start salvation with a void and this sort of Jesus enriched God.
You said:The problem we have with this discipleship without the sinner's prayer is that you don't know if they are saved or not and we can't check that box off. Well, the sinner's prayer really doesn't accomplish this either as it often is done in ignorance. Westerns should probably preface their evangelizing method with "spoiler alert" because that's what they are. they package the message to tell everyone the answers first and then get a person to repeat it in the form of prayer and call them a Christian.
The verses I provided are pretty clear in defense of the Sinner's Prayer in post #2. You have to address each and every one of them if you believe they are not talking about seeking forgiveness with God by way or prayer. Your statement of disagreement does not undo what they say. You have to show us using the context or explaining what the verse really says so as to defend your viewpoint.
If I believe Jesus is the Son of God, who suffered the cruel cross of calvary and raised again the third day. (Which I do) And have confessed that before men. If I have also acknowledged the awfully sinful nature of my humanity and repented of such, not allowing sin to have dominion over myself but willingly serve the Lord to the best of my ability. If I have put on Christ in the watery grave of baptism for the remission of my sins, calling on the name of the Lord, at which time God added me to the body of Christ. What then would I need to convert to??Then you should convert.
If I believe Jesus is the Son of God, who suffered the cruel cross of calvary and raised again the third day. (Which I do) And have confessed that before men. If I have also acknowledged the awfully sinful nature of my humanity and repented of such, not allowing sin to have dominion over myself but willingly serve the Lord to the best of my ability. If I have put on Christ in the watery grave of baptism for the remission of my sins, calling on the name of the Lord, at which time God added me to the body of Christ. What then would I need to convert to??
In Him
To the Church Christ founded and whom he gave the authority? Tell me, where do you get your authority from?If I believe Jesus is the Son of God, who suffered the cruel cross of calvary and raised again the third day. (Which I do) And have confessed that before men. If I have also acknowledged the awfully sinful nature of my humanity and repented of such, not allowing sin to have dominion over myself but willingly serve the Lord to the best of my ability. If I have put on Christ in the watery grave of baptism for the remission of my sins, calling on the name of the Lord, at which time God added me to the body of Christ. What then would I need to convert to??
In Him
I does not matter what you call me or what you think of me, as long as in the end I hear enter thee into My rest. Well done thou good and faithful servant.Wouldn't you like to be a commodity, better yet a consumer?
I does not matter what you call me or what you think of me, as long as in the end I hear enter thee into My rest. Well done thou good and faithful servant.
In Him
I wasn't really sure what you were saying, maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake. There could be worse things I could be...lolNo arguments. I was just responding over your post about why should you convert. I'm sure there are many who would like to use you as a commodity to support their churches or to market their ideals to you having you as a consumer and endorse them.
I thought I hit reply but apparently not:To the Church Christ founded and whom he gave the authority? Tell me, where do you get your authority from?
Well they were very young children but it made me aware of how pride is part of our fallen nature . Sorry is easier than wrong .So she never changed her abusive ways? God favours the oppressed, not the oppressor.
You practically didn't answer my question. I can say the same thing and have a totally different interpretation of Scriptures that .you and the 49 thousand denominations. If you knew Church History, you would know that all of the Churches were in Communion with each other.I thought I hit reply but apparently not:
So, to answer your question. Christ himself, none above, He is the Author and firstborn of eternal life. By whom else might anyone receive authority? Christ gave His blood but for one church and although He established only one church we see multiple groups of Christians meeting at various locations like, Corinth, Antioch, Ephesus and so forth but they were all His church. These churches remain His as long as they abide in sound doctrine. In Revelation God says He will spue the Laodiceans out of his mouth for being only lukewarm. What of those who teaching false doctrine? God also says where 2 or 3 are gathered together in His name He is in the midst thereof. He knows His sheep just as the sheep know His voice.
In Him
Again Jason, I have no problem if someone recites the sinners prayer or prayers like the examples I gave on post #55. All I am doing is addressing the the original topic of this thread, "Is the Sinner's Prayer Biblical?" Like I've said before, the sinner's prayers I posted are nowhere to be found in Scripture, and praying it should be considered an extra-biblical, man-made practice. Do you not agree? So with that being the case, I was just asking for acknowledgment from those that hold the belief of 'sola scriptura' (the belief that the bible alone is sufficient as a sole rule of faith) that the sinner's prayer in unbiblical.
As stated before, I was a Protestant before my conversion to the Catholic Church. As a member of many differnt Protestant denominations, I have witnessed and participated in many "Altar Call's." ( which I always found odd, being called that for there was never an Altar) In these Altar calls, I don't remember any of the passages you posted on post # 2 ever being prayed or read when someone came forward "asking Jesus into their hearts." Again, which I stated before, that those word's are nowhere to be found in the Bible or dies it encourages or demands us to asks us to do so.The only sinner's prayer I've witnessed at any of these Altar Call's are the ones I posted.
So in conclusion, and to answer the title of this thread, I would have to say.......yes, the "sinner's prayer" is a man-made practice, as is the 'altar call' and "asking Jesus into one's heart" and is nowhere to be found in the Bible.
With that being said, how do sola scripturists (are you one? you never did say if you are or not) explain these man-made practices and traditions at thier church services?
God Bless you, and have a Blessed Day
No
Otherwise Jesus would have lead Nicodemus in a little sinner's prayer.
That sure did not happen.
How old is the sinner's prayer 100 or 150 years old? Leave it up to man to think he can improve on things.
M-Bob
If you knew Church History, you would know that all of the Churches were in Communion with each other.
Ironic, when did your church was founded?
You said:What's its history?
You said:With what authority do you say all things?
You said:So instead of trying to imply, I believe in false things, why don't you tell me why haven't you answer me when I mentioned the Samaritans who had the Holy Spirit at the laying of hands? Didn't they believe until Peter and John arrived?
You said:Baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
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